Sophisticated bags are designed with equal parts functionality and style, which is what TUMI has delivered to its consumers since its genesis in 1975. Well-known for its wide range of premium luggage and everyday bags that are suitable for work, commuting, and leisure activities, TUMI has continually created purpose-driven items that meet their customers’ specific needs. When we heard that this leading brand in design was launching its spring 2023 collection, we had to know more, so we sat down with the brand’s creative director Victor Sanz to unpack TUMI’s new line of bags and luggage in an exclusive interview.

What are you most excited about revealing in TUMI’s Spring 2023 collection?

Victor Sanz: With more and more people travelling for both business and leisure at the same time, we’ve really focused on developing products that are flexible and versatile. I’m most excited to reveal our newest backpacks, and totes, all of which are fantastic for business as well as day-to-day use. They have a timelessness to their aesthetic, and that’s the tried-and-true DNA of what we set out to create. We think about our customers and how they’re living their lives – whether that means snowboarding down the mountain or attending meetings in the boardroom, or doing both in the same day.

Courtesy of TUMI

Is there a specific direction you thought of while designing TUMI’s Spring 2023 collection?

VS: We started with this idea of the nomadic explorer, and how in the current climate, it’s no longer about just travelling for business, but it’s travelling to be more engaged with life. As we explored this theme, we started looking at Australia as a design inspiration. Australians are known for travelling – both within their country and around the world – and for TUMI, this was a big appeal for where we’re going. We ended up pulling many of our inspirations from the colours and patterns found in the country’s natural elements, such as the swallowtail butterfly and the lilacs that are indigenous to the land. The season’s theme of ‘Unpack Tomorrow’ also ties back to that hunger for travel and looking toward the future. It’s not just about creating more product but creating these tools for people who look at travel as a must, a journey, a memory. We want to help people achieve their emotional goals as they re-engage with the world.

What organisational ideas would you recommend to our readers who are interested in personalizing their bags with TUMI+ travel accessories?

VS: TUMI+ is expanding beyond men’s and being introduced to our travel and women’s collections, which means there are more ways than ever to personalize your bags and stay organized at the same time. I would recommend anyone who travels often to use the packing cubes and new Modular Laundry Pouch to store and separate their clothes and shoes. The small pouches and mobile organizer provide additional protection, packing space, and organization for small items. They also add a splash of colour to any bag with on-trend shades like Fog, Cherry, Blaze Red and our multicolour Swallowtail Print.

Courtesy of TUMI

What sets the spring 2023 Voyageur collection apart from previous collections?

VS: Voyageur has been redesigned this season with sleeker silhouettes, a keener focus on versatility and added functionality. The latest styles are even more equipped to take the spot as the ultimate everyday bags for women, including compatibility with our TUMI+ modular accessories. We want to make sure we meet the needs of all of our customers, from stay-at-home moms to commuting businesswomen. We’re making products that last, so they need to stay relevant through the various stages of our customers’ lives. Besides the new silhouettes and colours, recycled materials have also been incorporated into key pieces for sustainability and unparalleled durability. The collection perfectly merges form and function for today’s woman.

If you were to describe TUMI’s Spring 2023 collection in three words, what would they be?

VS: Reliable, functional, indispensable.