The more stamps on your passport, the better. That’s the ethos behind the Minneapolis leather-goods company Landmarks and Lions, at least. And the brand’s globetrotting founder knows a thing or two about the things worth slipping into your carry-on—hell, he even makes some of them. Here, Canyon Crosby shares his traveling-light must-haves. —liza darwin Rivieras shoes“These are the ultimate leisure shoes. Rivieras have that classic Mediterranean look. They are also super comfortable and a dream to travel with because they are light and made of breathable fabric, which is a must when vacationing.” (rivieras-shoes.com)Persol sunglasses“Indispensable! I never go flashy, so these sunglasses fit the bill perfectly. I never go anywhere without them.” (persol.com)Landmarks and Lions travel wallet“It’s the perfect wallet for international travel, with compartments to carry my cards, passport, travel documents, plane and train tickets, and then some.” Vilebrequin swim trunks“Ninety-nine percent of the time, I end up near water when traveling, so trunks are always packed. I love their patterns, and the fit is the best I have ever had.” (vilebrequin.com) Kindle“I am an avid reader—I pack my Kindle before my clothes. Nothing beats a great read while lounging in the sun—doesn’t matter if you’re in the middle of Provence, on a bench in Varenna, or on the beach in Camogli.” Check out Canyon’s edition—another damn good travel accessory that holds your iPhone, even—and scoop it up before it’s sold-out.

Canyon Crosby believes that the best-laid plans are overrated. His approach might be risky—and definitely runs contrary to any advice you’d get at business school—but the success he’s had with his leather-goods company Landmarks and Lions is proof that, for him, a little spontaneity has gone a long way. “I wanted to create a few things to sell online so that I could raise money for my wedding,” Canyon remembers. “The business as it is today is completely unintentional, but I’m happy it happened the way it did.” Since his 2010 cash-accumulating exercise, Canyon as expanded the Minneapolis-based brand from one item—a minimalist iPhone case—to a full range of wallets, travel accessories, and key chains. The Florida native weaves his personal, eclectic experiences into each of the pieces—Canyon’s roundabout route to leather includes pit stops in fashion design, painting, and interior decorating. Travel, too, is integral, and the wanderlust tie-in will become more pronounced later this year when he expands into luggage. Not that Canyon saw that coming. —liza darwin Score Canyon’s Of a Kind edition right now! It’s a slick-as-hell iPhone wallet that’s lined with red-striped canvas.

“The best part of my job is doing what I love, seven days a week,” says Landmarks and Lions founder Canyon Crosby. “The worst part of my job is the fact that it’s all you—and there’s no end in sight!” From tracking down the best leathers to giving the edges of his pieces a burnished, painted vibe, Canyon has his hands in every part of the process. It might look simple, but as his step-by-step guide proves that there’s a whole lot of time and TLC involved. —liza darwin Get this wallet—holds an iPhone, kids!—before it’s all gone. How good is that striped lining? “This year, I upgraded our leather to a wonderful hard-wearing calfskin that I feel adds to the durability and longevity of each piece. I receive the leather in rolls, which I inspectbefore cutting. My products are meant to be used day-in and day-out, and Iwant a leather that improves with age.”“Next, I cut each piece of leather and fabric by hand.” “Then, I use a branding stamp to impress the Landmarks and Lions logo on each piece.”“All of our products are sewn with contrast stitching. For the Margherita wallet, we’ve chosen red thread to match with the red and white pinstripes inside. The stripes remind me of the vivid colors of the Italian Riviera, one of my favorite destinations.”“Finally, I finish off each piece by burnishing, sanding, and then delicatelyhand-painting the edges. Some days I do all the steps at once, but other days I find myself cutting for hours or sewing all day. Because my products are made-to-order, every day is new and different.”