In Vogue

Tuesday July 13, 2010

Bag These Beauties

By OLIVIA LEE

clove@thestar.com.my

Bright colours continue to be pivotal for international premium travel brand Tumi, especially for the fall season.

"People like it (bold shades) because when stuff comes out of the airport luggage belt, they can see what's theirs easily," said the brand's president and chief executive officer Jerome Griffith.

"Last year we came out with a limited edition bag that has a little red piping on it. We thought we'd sell it for eight weeks but it sold out in two!" exclaimed Griffith in a recent interview.

Look chic and travel in style with Tumi's travel bags

With that in mind, he decided to up the ante for fall with a collection called "Accent Your Alpha", which allows consumers to personalise or customise certain areas of the bag.

The colours available are red, magenta, silver, blue, green and brown. Customers can "colour" components such as the Monogram leather patch, luggage tag, add-a-bag hook, protective bag guards, zipper pullers and zippered pouch.

"There are six different colours so you will be able to buy a regular signature Alpha and personalise it with your own colours on it," said Griffith. He added that previously purchased Alpha bags can also be "accented". (All "accented" components can be applied to the bags directly at Tumi stores from October.)

Alternatively if you prefer for the entire bag to be coloured, the Alpha's classic black ballistic nylon has a new palette of "cool, calm and subdued" hues.

The highly praised 20" wheeled international expandable carry on case will be offered in slate blue, café and blackberry. The travel accessories such as zip pouches, laptop covers, netbook cases and packing cubes are available in the same shades.

Also in these colours is the Weekender style bag, which will be re-introduced for fall.

The ballistic nylon body takes its cue from the seasonal hues with black leather trim for its finishing touches. This oversized style is ideal for weekend travel.

The injection of colour into this core collection demonstrates the modern approach to Tumi's authentic use of ballistic nylon.

Tumi's celebrated Townhouse trunks will be honoured in a five piece collection of hard cases that mimics the cool tone for fall in shades like beet red and blackberry.

Handcrafted in Italy with the finest materials, the Townhouse collection is the premiere offering from Tumi and represents the glamorous side of travel.

The pairing of a rust hat box and slate train case from the Townhouse range creates a dynamic duo

To mark its second season, Alpha Bravo continues to expand with a greater selection of daybags and the introduction of travel.

In the daybag category, the selection includes cross bodies, messengers, backpacks and briefs. A slim brief is a new style for business, presenting a modern take on a celebrated classic style.

For its travel range, nine travel styles ranging from wheeled cases to soft accessories enter the mix. Favoured styles from classic Alpha such as the 20", 22", 24" and wheeled duffel styles will all take on a new look with the stylised bravo attitude.

Colour wise, the bags come available in black or spruce nylon.

Griffith described this new collection as "a little bit more casual and geared towards the younger consumer."

"It has been well received. We can't get certain pieces out fast enough."

The hard sided Vapor case welcomes the introduction of glacier, blackberry, slate and bronze and these new colours join the core shades of silver blaze and jet black.

Vapor cases continue to be offered in three sizes; an International 20" carry on, 25" medium packing case and 29" extended trip. The International 20" carry on is available in both two wheel and four wheel styles while the medium and extended sizes remain four wheel options.

In keeping with the directional colour story of the season, the women's collections – Voyageur (Tumi's feminine counterpart to Alpha), Villa and Q totes – will appear in cool shades and are stylish for the fall season.

Voyageur's casual and playful spirit comes to life in a palette of blackberry, rust, smoky quartz, slate blue and black python.

New in travel, a slim foldable garment cover will be offered in sleek black, rust or an eye-catching python print. Tailored garments, dresses and suiting can be perfectly packed in this new coordinating travel accessory.

The elegant Villa, which is polished and distinct in style, will be covered in a rich shade of Tumi signature red to further define the seasonal direction for fall.

For business, the assortment continues to evolve. Totes are complete with removable laptop sleeves, organised interiors and ample pockets.

For travel, the Marino carry on gets a makeover. Lighter in weight, re-designed to include a garment sleeve and the ability to expand, it has become the definitive bag for the successful female professional. Featuring dual zippered compartments, the interior design features an array of pockets, laptop protection and utility pouch.

The black exterior is adorned with polished silver hardware. When opened, it reveals an elegant midnight blue lining.

The Q-tote, which is touted as the quintessential accessory for the contemporary woman, is reinterpreted in new colours and styles for fall. A smaller hand-held shopper version and an over the shoulder satchel will be offered in smoky quartz, slate, python, rust and blackberry.

The Q-tote and Capra is reinterpreted in new colours and styles for Fall 2010

As small leather accessories continue to entice the Tumi woman, this season's Capra collection will be offered in sky blue pebble leather, slate python print and cognac lizard print. The exotic prints when applied to wallets, card cases, passport covers and travel wallets make practical pieces feel extra special with an added sense of flair. The cool tone of sky blue accents the palette of the season.

The Buckle collection, with its classic lines and simplistic structure features a fabric body with leather detailing or an all leather option. Designed with significant and organised interior space, the buckle tote or hobo in ballistic nylon or charcoal grey wool fabric are ideal bags to tackle her daily journey's.

For business, daytime or travel, Tumi continues to meet the needs of the modern day woman.

Griffith said that women, who makes up 44% of Tumi's consumers, are constantly on the look out for more stylish, feminine bags but still look professional.

"We've taken that to heart and have hired a new woman's designer. We're developing business bags specifically for women, which will come out this fall," announced Griffith.