BY DESIGN

For 50 years, Tumi has built its legacy on well-designed luggage and travel accessories. Creative director Victor Sanz tells us how the brand has evolved into a lifestyle giant today, serving people beyond their travels

- Words PAMEYLA CAMBE

Fifty years ago, an American entrepreneur named Charlie Clifford started selling duffle bags and weekenders made in South America. The rustic bags, crafted from raw leather, appealed to travellers who needed something practical and durable that they could bring on their journeys. Clifford sold the bags through his brand called “Tumi”, a name he borrowed from a Peruvian ceremonial object that he had encountered as a former Peace Corps volunteer.

Today, the word “Tumi” is known far beyond the Americas, and it is often used to refer to a certain luggage with a contoured shell. You can credit Tumi’s fame to the brand’s commitment to creating thoughtful travel products – including innovations like sturdy ballistic nylon bags and luggage made from the ultra-lightweight material Tegris – which are appreciated by customers all around the world.

Even as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Tumi continues to shake things up. The brand unveiled the 19 Degree Lite collection, introducing Tegris versions of its iconic 19 Degree luggage. It has also added stylish backpacks and leather crossbody bags to its Voyageur collection and rolled out more ballistic nylon accessories in its Alpha line. Some of these pieces star in Tumi’s 50th anniversary campaign, Made For You Since 1975.

"This milestone celebrates the future while embracing what our customers have loved most about the brand for 50 years: Longevity, effortlessness, functionality and timeless beauty," says Victor Sanz, who has been Tumi's creative director since 2016. Sanz, who trained as an industrial designer, joined the brand’s design team in 2003, working under Clifford's mentorship.