Tumi

Tumi Launches 'Accent Your Alpha' Customization Program

When President Obama selected a black leather Tumi laptop bag as his briefcase of choice, it merely confirmed that the brand has become the leader in premium business and travel accessories, a fact long known by serious sojourners. The company, which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, has launched a personalization program for its flagship Alpha line of luggage in super-tough ballistic nylon, so your case really stands out in a crowd. The new "Accent Your Alpha" service lets road warriors and holiday travelers alike personalize their classic carriers by adding striking pops of color to monogram patches, luggage tags, zipper pulls, and more. The chic palette not only adds a dose of style but sets the personalized cases apart from the many Tumi imitators.

Tags: Barack Obama, briefcase, luggage, nylon luggage, Obama style, President Obama, suitcase, Tumi, Tumi Alpha

Unexpected Treasures: The Case of the Tumi Classic

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

We love handbags and briefcases on this site so we were excited to see the Tumi briefcase shown at right come in for an Unexpected Treasure. Luxist reader Dana tells us that this Tumi Classic Sienna Briefcase was a gift in 1975. The briefcase may be older but it is in great shape and the classic style means that it's just as functional and useful as it was decades ago. In fact given the aging of the leather it might be a little more attractive and a little more valuable.

We asked Matthew Rubinger, who runs Heritage Auctions new luxury accessories department what he thought about this piece. He agreed that it is a nice bag and pointed out that natural leather ages beautifully creating a soft and appealing patina. He believe that it would probably sell for more than it originally retailed for estimating that it might fetch $200 to $300 at auction.

If you want to submit your own unexpected treasure, click over here for details.

Tags: briefcase, tumi, unexpected treasures

The Classicist: Celebrating the Season in Style with Range Rover at Wheatleigh

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine, Books, Men's Style, The Classicist

Click above for high-res image gallery. Photos exclusive to Luxist.

Winter can be a long, cold interlude verging on a test of endurance in the Northeast, and it's all too easy to get bogged down by the doldrums. Plenty of people either hibernate by their hearths or hit the beach until the mercury makes its ascent, but there are myriad ways to keep warm with style, verve and panache. We recently gathered some of our favorite accessories of the season at Wheatleigh, the majestic mansion-turned-luxury hotel in the heart of the Berkshires' winter wonderland. Getting us there in style and comfort through anything the weather cared to concoct was the 2011 Range Rover Sport, a luxurious way to see the landscape safe in the knowledge that the elements have met their match. The pedigreed SUV's smooth, refined, performance and rugged good looks mark it as a thoroughbred in all respects, a suitably stylish conveyance for arriving at a desirable destination like Wheatleigh. And we had the great new Olympus PEN E-PL1 compact, versatile digital camera on hand to record it all for your vicarious enjoyment.

Wheatleigh, located in Lenox, Mass. next door to Edith Wharton's famed country manor The Mount, is a grand estate based on a 16th century Florentine palazzo built in 1893 by New York financier Henry H. Cook for his daughter who married a Spanish count. Many of the materials and over 150 artisans were brought from Italy to produce intricate carvings and design flourishes for the grand interiors and facades. Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who designed Central Park in New York, was responsible for creating "Wheatleigh Park" on the land surrounding the palazzo. Following a four year multimillion dollar renovation it was transformed into one of the most unique luxurious small hotels in the world. The nineteen suites, guest rooms and baths artfully combine antiques and custom furnishings with original museum quality contemporary art. The baths are finished with English limestone, marble and hand-blown glass fixtures, and most rooms feature fireplaces and Bang & Olufsen TVs. Check out the gallery to see the perfect accoutrements for a stylish seasonal sojourn – from books to watches, champagne to cashmere sweaters, and boots to bags – no matter where your journey takes you.

Gallery: Range Rover at Wheatleigh Dec. 2010

Graf & Lantz wool felt Boat Bag, personalized Tumi Alpha wheeled case.

Tumi Alpha case; Dom Perignon Tribute to Andy Warhol edition; Private Stock jeans; Graf & Lantz Quiver wine carrier w/ Robert Mo

Tags: Bang Olufsen, Berkshires, Brooks Brothers, Central Park, champagne, Dom Perignon, Edith Wharton, estates, Frederick Law Olmsted, gardens, Holiday 2010, L.L. Bean, Lenox, luggage, luxury hote, mansion, Massachusetts, mens style, New England, Olympus, Olympus PEN E-PL1, palazzo, Persol, Ralph Lauren, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, spirits, stolichnaya, sunglasses, SUV, teNeues, The Mount, Tumi, vodka, Wheatleigh, winter

The Classicist: Celebrating Tumi's 35 Years of Luxe Luggage

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, The Classicist

When President Obama selected a black leather Tumi laptop bag as his briefcase of choice, it was just the latest confirmation that the chic brand has become the leader in premium business and travel accessories. The company is celebrating its 35th anniversary this fall with with several new collections reflecting its heritage and authenticity. Limited edition collections, including Tumi Originals, a special line of 35 iconic city leather luggage tags and a collection of Boston bags, honors both the brand's past and the future. The origins of Tumi can be traced back to 1975. While stationed in South America, ex-Peace Corps member Charlie Clifford became captivated by the authentic raw leathers produced in Colombia. Motivated by the desire to introduce fine leather bags for business, he set about importing them to America.

Today the brand has an established reputation for its ballistic nylon, but in the beginning, leather was the material of choice. Tumi Originals, launching holiday 2010, is a modern day reinterpretation of some of the first styles from Tumi, as seen in the company's first ad campaign above. With classic silhouettes and detailing, the collection pays tribute to the "firsts" from the brand. The five-style collection will include silhouettes such as the first tri-fold garment bag, soft satchel and tote. The pieces are crafted from washed Malaga leather with antique brass hardware and unlined leather front pockets, both which are direct references to the styling details of the "first" collection. Available in black and sienna brown, Tumi Originals incorporate styling details and elements first used by the brand 35 years ago but with an innovative approach.

Gallery: Tumi 35th Anniversay

Carry More leather and ballistic nylon bags

Tags: bags, Barack Obama, briefcase, garment bag, leather, luggage, travel, Tumi

Continue reading “The Classicist: Celebrating Tumi's 35 Years of Luxe Luggage”

Bespoke Luggage for the Lexus LFA by Tumi

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Luxury Cars & Autos

Buying an exotic supercar isn't a practical decision. But if you want to use yours more frequently than the odd Sunday drive, you're going to encounter a rather cramped, and often irregularly-sized trunk. Call it the byproduct of an afterthought. That's why they make bespoke luggage to fit the baggage compartments on such exotica.

Companies like Ferrari and Porsche may be well accustomed to offering such custom luggage, but for Lexus, this is new territory. So they've turned to established luggage-makers Tumi to develop a set specifically for the LF-A.

The set of hard-shell suitcases is made of aluminum and carbon fiber. Each has a specific purpose, and carries the Vehicle Identification Number from the car its made to accompany for that added bit of exclusivity.

Gallery: Lexus LFA Luggage by Tumi

Tags: baggage, lexus, lexus lf-a, lexus lfa, lf-a, lfa, luggage, tumi

Custom Hg2 Travel Guides from Tumi

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books

Chic luggage and travel accessories company Tumi has partnered with Hg2, the Hedonist series of travel guides, on a distinctive, stylized set of guidebooks in a bespoke case. Eight customized Hg2 guides – for Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo, Berlin, New York, Buenos Aires and Dubai – come sheathed in Tumi's signature ballistic nylon.

To evoke the theme of travel, the open case has a handle and luggage tag. Infused with the Tumi lifestyle, the colorful customized guides, known for their lavish photography, contain original content and serve as a passport to the best each city has to offer.

Each chapter is segmented with sections dedicated to, Work, Rest and Play. For the complete immersion in a particular destination, the guides include a comprehensive address book of key contacts for everything from gyms and hair stylists to florists and more.

With a retail value of $125 as an added bonus each purchase will be accompanied by a complimentary one-year membership to Hg2.com with updates and extras.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: guidebook, Hg2, luggage, travel guide, TravelGuide, Tumi

Tumi Villa 17" Computer Brief

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

A laptop case needn't make you look like a Star Trek enthusiast or some sort of overgrown schoolchild, yet most such designs leave a lot to be desired aesthetically. That's especially true when it comes to sheathing the larger sort of laptop such as the Apple MacBook Pro 17". A stylish machine like that deserves an equally stylish case, however. Chic luggage and travel accessories company Tumi has come to the rescue with the Villa 17" Computer Brief (above). Made from the finest Italian texture coated canvas with luxurious vachetta leather trim and polished, nickel hardware, it features a padded laptop compartment, interior organizer pockets, and an adjustable, removable shoulder strap.The case complements the rest of Tumi's refined, elegant and classic Villa Collection, targeted to the sophisticated professional, featuring a range of designs for every requirement.

Tags: Apple, computer, laptop, luggage, travel, Tumi

Tumi Townhouse Alligator Accessories

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

Stylish luggage and travel accessories company Tumi has just come out with its most luxurious designs yet: two new additions to its exclusive Townhouse collection finished in the world's finest alligator skin. Slim and sleek, the Parliament Brief (above) bears slender retractable handles and zip top closure and is priced at $13,000. A signature polished nickel clasp closure secures the Windsor Envelope, which is priced at $12,000. The two pieces together cost $25,000. Starting in the fall the cases will be available by special order only. Handmade in Italy, each piece is constructed from the finest alligator skins and lined in supple tan suede. As we reported earlier this year, President Obama carries a black Tumi briefcase.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: alligator, bags, briefcase, luggage, Tumi

Tumi Villa Boarding Tote, Handbag of the Day

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Don't let your carry-on bag get lost in a sea of black luggage. Tumi's Villa Boarding Tote, which is roomy enough to take on-board filled with travel essentials but nice enough to be an everyday bag, comes in several neutral colors. I love the orange, but you can choose from black, brown or ecru too.

Made from Italian, texture-coated canvas with leather trim and polished silvertone hardware, this tote has lots of interior and exterior pockets to organize accessories, reading materials, gadgets, or a change of clothes, and other nice features: ticket pocket, zip pocket, open pocket, metal feet, leather-wrapped padlock with keys, hanging leather ID tag, and pen loops. All Tumi bags come with free Tumi Tracer protection.

Dimensions are 11" H x 17.25" W x 8" D with a 9" handle strap drop -- $475.

Gallery: Tumi Villa Boarding Tote, Handbag of the Day

Tags: carry-on, handbag, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, leather, luggage, orange, purse, travel, Tumi

Valentine Essentials: For Him

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Spirits, Men's Style

No matter how hard to shop for, any valentine appreciates a heartfelt gesture -- from a savory meal to a classic sterling key ring with a set of keys to your place. Ideas in the gallery range from classic corkscrews from Hermes (perfect for a romantic, secluded picnic) to everyday luxuries that will keep you in mind and heart. And each choice should inspire you to do even more -- find the perfect wine to go along with the corkscrew, pack up that stylish weekender bag for a surprise getaway.

Gallery: Valentine Essentials: For Him

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Tags: cashmere, gifts for him, GiftsForHim, hermes, robes, scotch, tiffany, tumi, valentines day, ValentinesDay

President Obama's Tumi Briefcase

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

The slick leather briefcase our new Chief Executive has been spotted with lately is this Tumi Alpha Leather Expandable Brief. Made from rich, glove-tanned leather designed to burnish to a beautiful patina over time, the rugged yet stylish case features a removable computer sleeve, numerous organizer pockets, and plenty of room for papers, files and extra white bow ties. We're not sure when and where President Obama acquired the bag, but it retails for $550. The briefcase is part of Tumi's Alpha Collection, inspired by aeronautics, automotives and sports,which features several stylish pieces for business and travel including everything from toiletry kits to golf bags. It also comes in ballistic nylon for $350.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Barack Obama, BarackObama, Briefcase, Luggage, Travel, Tumi

Townhouse Collection Luggage

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

We're only a month and change into winter, but here on the East Coast it's been a tough one so far. I've been daydreaming about a vacation, but my luggage is not travel-ready -- it's old and drab. Looking for something with more panache, I came upon Tumi's Townhouse Collection.

My favorite piece is the Groom Train Case. Traveling with this would make me feel as if I were one of the ladies boarding a ship for a cross-Atlantic journey many years ago, when wealthy travelers seemed to pack their whole houses into trunks and then have their staff move them on and off the ship at every port of call.

The Townhouse Collection features 38 styles that range from the $6,995 Wardrobe Trunk to the $150 Constitution Tie Case. All styles are offered only in black (I would love to have seen some brighter colors), and are made from leather or fabric. The collection has two sub-sets: Travel and Business, which include trunks, wheeled cases, hand-held briefcases, satchels, a garment case, duffels, messenger/body bags, clutches and small zipped cases.

Check out the gallery for a look at a few of the styles.

Gallery: Townhouse Collection Luggage

Tags: journey, luggage, suitcase, travel, Tumi, vacation

Tumi Ebony Watch Chest & Humidor

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style

Earlier this year we told you about chic designer David Chu's revamp of travel brand Tumi, including new high-end luggage lines and ad campaigns featuring supermodel Shalom Harlow. Now Chu, who also has a bespoke men's clothing shop in New York City, is branching out into fine gentlemen's accessories under the Tumi label, a first for the company. Chu has designed two pieces in Makassar ebony: a suede-line watch chest (above), for $1,800, and a humidor for $2,000.

"In keeping with our heritage of providing the best cases and bags for travel, these elegant, luxurious ebony chests provide Tumi customers not only with a statement piece to be displayed and admired in the home, but help in protecting their personal possessions," Chu says. The limited edition, handcrafted pieces will be available in select Tumi stores.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: David Chu, DavidChu, Humidor, Luggage, Tumi

The Classicist: Bespoke by David Chu

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style, The Classicist

Last month we wrote about the timeless appeal of classic men's tailoring as epitomized by Savile Row, especially during times of economic uncertainty. There's no need to travel all the way to London however to indulge in custom-tailoring of the highest quality and style that transcends trends and fads, if you know where to look. In New York City, David Chu, founder of the Nautica brand who has since gone on to revitalize luggage maker Tumi, operates an ultra-chic Bespoke shop at his gorgeous Townhouse in Gramercy Park.

The Bespoke shop (above) is located in the penthouse of the Townhouse, which is home to Chu's design studio and other businesses. Ebonized and limestone floors, marble fixtures and a collection of contemporary artwork and Chinese antiquities create an elegant, polished and modern atmosphere. French doors open out from the shop onto a landscaped roof deck with captivating city and park views. "The bespoke experience is about understated elegance," Chu tells Luxist. "It's more for yourself. You put it on, it feels great, and that's the most important thing."

David Chu Bespoke "blends the best of Savile Row and Neapolitan tailoring, marrying craftsmanship with modernity." Garments are hand-cut and stitched by a master tailor based in Naples. A gentleman can order anything he requires to be custom made, from suits, overcoats, tuxedos, and sport jackets to trousers, shoes, scarves, and 12-fold ties. The emphasis is on classic, luxurious fabrics such as super 150's wool, worsted spun cashmere and vicuna sourced from the world's best mills.

Gallery: David Chu Bespoke

Tags: David Chu, DavidChu, Gramercy Park, GramercyPark, Naples, New York, New York City, NewYork, NewYorkCity, Savile Row, SavileRow, Tailoring, Tumi

Continue reading “The Classicist: Bespoke by David Chu”

David Chu's Chic Take on Tumi

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Men's Style

With his newly-released Fall 2008 collections for Tumi, Nautica founder David Chu is continuing the revitalization of the travel brand begun when he was named its creative director last year. Since his appointment, Chu has launched various new collections including the Alpha, using Tumi's signature black ballistic nylon, and the upscale Townhouse Collection for men. He has given the company an image makeover as well with new high-style ad campaigns featuring supermodel Shalom Harlow and an array of classic sportscars (see above).

For Fall 2008, Chu has made an appropriately seasonal modification to the spring Townhouse line, which featured khaki cotton twill and saddle leather. The Fall collection is rendered in a gray covert cloth that's a hallmark of classic British tailoring. As a counterpart, he has introduced new designs for women as well. We're also big fans of Chu's eponymous luxury menswear line, which he started after VF Corp. acquired Nautica for $585 million in 2004. Obviously Chu, who personally made over $100 million on the deal, could have just retired then and there, but we're definitely glad he decided to keep working.

Gallery: David Chu for Tumi

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Tags: David Chu, DavidChu, Luggage, Nautica, Shalom Harlow, ShalomHarlow, Tumi

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