The recent turn of the season has been a particularly special time of year for creatives Ally May Carey and Will Tresidder, who have recently celebrated the launch of their skiwear brand TRÈS into the Australian market. Their success through the southern hemisphere’s winter will bolster them as they prepare to expand globally for the northern ski season – yet another adventure in store for the alpine enthusiasts. Their love of the mountains runs deep, thanks to Will’s childhood spent on the slopes and his family’s ongoing connection to Australia’s own snowy peaks.  

On their latest jaunt to the Tresidder family farm, Ally and Will packed up a host of our latest leather travel bags to put them through an off-grid field test. It’s a road trip many of us are familiar with – the weekend escape from the big smoke to the fresh air of rural New South Wales – and their fine-tuned approach to travel is one that we can all take inspiration from as we transition into the warmer months.  

“During most of the winter, our base is nestled at the farm, but we maintain a back-and-forth connection with our home in Sydney.

To manage this balance, I've adopted a routine where I condense my shoots, meetings, and work into week-long stays in the city before retreating back to the tranquillity of the farm for extended periods,” explains Ally. “What once seemed like a long and tedious journey has transformed into a source of pleasure for me. Now, I eagerly anticipate those drives, as they offer a perfect opportunity to immerse myself in the serene country air, turning the transition between bustling city life and the peaceful countryside into a journey of rejuvenation and inspiration.” 

The couple’s busy travel schedule (which also includes regular work trips for Will’s alpine clothing store and Ally’s creative consultancy business) has forced them to get their packing drill down to a fine art. “When it comes to packing and preparing for a trip, one key piece of advice is to ensure that all the items you bring work together seamlessly. Over time, I've had to hone this skill. Interestingly, Will is an even better packer than I am; he's a master at packing only what he knows he'll wear during the trip,” says Ally. “A pro tip we've picked up over the years is that if an item has been sitting untouched in your wardrobe for months, it's unlikely to find its moment on holiday,” adds Will.  

Our new leather travel companion, the Hawkesbury Holdall, has recently earned its place in their adventure arsenal. “It’s been an excellent choice for our winter trips to and from the farm – the high quality leather construction not only adds style but ensures the protection of everything inside from the elements,” says Ally. “It really is the perfect size for weekends away or even on longer trips. I love the classic design and the black leather finish as well – it will always go with whatever outfit I have planned.” 

Also available in brown leather and utility canvas editions, the Hawkesbury’s appeal continues inside the bag, with a full fabric lining and internal pockets for safely stowing valuables. Its functional design and innate versatility has proven particularly helpful as the couple prepares to welcome their first child in early 2024. “The added convenience of the shoulder strap has been a lifesaver now that I’m pregnant!” 

A balance of function and form is prevalent throughout Ally and Will’s wardrobes, with the duo opting to invest in quality pieces over transient trends. “It’s always been a pivotal consideration for us in curating our wardrobes – we’ve learned that investing in high quality pieces ensure longevity,” says Will.

“Quality craftsmanship and durable materials are essential for items to withstand the test of time.” 

As for the grounding force of their everyday look? “As you can see, our well worn boots! We’ve had our trusty RMs for quite a while now,” notes Ally. “One of the most special journeys they’ve joined us on was our very first trip together to Wolgan Valley in 2019. Those boots have seen their fair share of adventures.”

Now seasoned explorers of the region, they’re looking forward to sharing in a final few moments at the farm before commuting back to the hustle and bustle of city living. “I love the view, the peaceful nature from the moment you wake up; the killer sunrises over the lake and the sunsets are unreal. I love that we will be able to share this with our little family from next year too - it’s nice to be able to share the country life that Will and I both grew up with.”