Jaime King, Katharine McPhee Fete Ghurka’s New Women’s Collection

There’s nothing quite as stressful as packing for an epic vacation (do we bring those extra pairs of stilettos or not?), but the one globe-trotting companion that helps ease our travel anxieties is sturdy luxurious luggage to carry all our goodies. Luckily, we found the perfect options from Ghurka, a fine handcrafted leather brand, which has designed well-crafted travel gear since it was founded in Norwalk, Conn., in 1975. And now, the New York-based label has launched a women’s collection of timeless leather items including a leather tote bag ($795), and a twill and leather weekender bag ($1,095).

To celebrate its launch with British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin, Katharine McPhee and Jaime King were among the fashionable ladies to step out for an intimate night of cocktails and hors d’oeurves at Chateau Marmont on Tuesday night. Surrounded by pieces that evoked thoughts of travel, McPhee shared that her next trip included a visit to the City of Light. “I’m going to Paris for Christmas,” McPhee, who was also joined by stylist Johnny Wujek and George Kotsiopoulos, told Pret-a-Reporter after taking a gander of Ghurka’s new offerings for the ladies. “My brother-in-law is Parisian, so his whole family is in Paris and I’m renting an apartment there and then traveling to see some friends in London, so I’m excited to get some classic, beautiful luggage.”

So, what does the Smash alum usually like to bring with her while traveling? “I’m notorious for not being the best packer. I tend to pack all the wrong things, which allows me to have the excuse to go buy things,” she said with a smile. “It’s not an intentional strategy but it works out for me.” Hey, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.