How a Tattoo Artist Transforms a Suitcase with Her Art

Tattoo artist Amanda Wachob is skilled in creating art on dynamic surfaces. Her latest endeavor is equally mobile: the influential Los Angeles tattooist has partnered with Roam—a brand known for fully customizable luggage—to use hard suitcase shells as her new canvas, moving beyond human skin.

Launching on March 7 with only 100 exclusive large carry-ons, the Roam x Amanda Wachob collaboration seeks to turn baggage carousels into a unique art exhibition. Before mastering watercolor tattoo techniques, Wachob began her career as a photographer and painter, working with esteemed institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New Museum, and the Whitney.

Four years ago, Roam approached Wachob with an idea for a decal for their popular polycarbonate hard-shell luggage, but she felt uncertain about its suitability.

“I didn’t want to create a sticker that could be endlessly reproduced,” Wachob shared with Dinogo. Rather than sticking to a single design, she aimed to make each suitcase uniquely different. When she proposed the idea of hand-painted luggage to Roam, they embraced her vision, as crafting one-of-a-kind luggage aligns perfectly with Roam’s ethos.

All Roam luggage is uniquely customizable, ensuring that each item is handmade at their factory in Rome, Georgia, avoiding mass production. This approach generates minimal waste, which resonated with Wachob; she aimed to create something exceptional that people would cherish rather than contribute to a cycle of endless consumerism.

Beetle-inspired: luggage reflecting the iridescence of a beetle

“Just before Roam reached out to collaborate, I had tattooed a scientist who researched iridescence in insects,” Wachob explained in a video discussing her design inspiration. “They shared that iridescence isn’t derived from a specific color, but from tiny structures on an insect's body that reflect light.”

“I perceived the shape of the luggage as somewhat beetle-like,” Wachob shared with Dinogo. “The case is even referred to as a shell.”

She then embarked on recreating the jewel beetle-inspired effect on Roam’s large carry-on luggage. Ultimately, she spent about a week at the Roam factory in Rome, Georgia, crafting the pieces. For each of the 100 suitcases, Wachob applied five to seven colors, ranging from blue to purple to gold and green, in seven or more layers on each of the 200 shells (both front and back).

“We typically see luggage in a single solid color,” Wachob noted. “I aimed to incorporate as many colors as I could. Why not?”

A mobile piece of art

Available for $975 in Roam’s large carry-on size—their most sought-after size—customers can choose between two color palettes. “Nocturne” features a striking blend of black and purple with gold and green accents, while “Cerulean” showcases a blue and purple base highlighted with teal-green.

While Wachob selected a specific range of colors for her design, there are still five different trim and wheel color options to personalize the bags, including Carolina Lilac, Kyoto Black, Venetian Green, Como Blue, and Ibiza Sky. The suitcase lining is a custom creation by Wachob, designed to be as glossy and radiant as the exterior of the luggage.

Each bag comes with a certificate of authenticity and a unique luggage tag; Wachob used a rotary tattoo machine along with white tattoo ink to apply her signature and limited edition number. Concerned about scuffs? Roam includes a clear luggage protector for storage that doesn’t cover the wheels, allowing you to prevent scratches while checking your luggage.

The bags are available for purchase now, but you'll need to act fast to secure these pieces of rolling art.