TUMI’s first Asia-Pacific store lined with aluminium claddings is now open in Tokyo

TUMI's first flagship store in the Asia Pacific region has been unveiled in Tokyo, Japan. The store boasts a futuristic aesthetic that draws inspiration from TUMI's iconic '19 Degree' aluminium collection. The store's façade features over 250 aluminium fins and pillars that are lit by LEDs, creating a visual 3D effect.

Once inside, visitors are greeted by a bold space that showcases a sculpture by Michael Murphy, a New York-based perceptual artist. The sculpture morphs from a classic 19-degree wheeled case into the TUMI logo as visitors walk around it, further emphasising the brand's focus on aluminium and its iconic collection.

The inception of TUMI's '19 Degree' aluminium collection

The luxury brand was established in 2016 and, since then, has extended its flagship luggage collection to include formal briefcases and clutches. TUMI's '19 Degree' aluminium collection is the brand's "first endeavour into aluminium luggage," as the company's Creative Director Victor Sanz specified.

"This was something that for us was new," Sanz elaborated. "It wasn't new to the industry, but for us to start developing a collection, we wanted to create our own point of view, our own voice within there."

TUMI's Creative Director guides us through 

Sanz says the range needed to hit several points: it had to continue the ethos. TUMI was known for a while, being highly functional and showing an evident innovation and perspective.

"But on top of that, we wanted to start integrating the idea of these crossroads of beauty and engineering and functionality hidden within beauty. And this whole engineered idea, even when you look at the piece, you see these ribs that are cascaded around, and from an aesthetic standpoint, they deal with the ribs, was to allow your eye to flow and become fluid," Victor illustrated.

Complemented by slate-grey tiles, marble flooring, and stainless steel fixtures, the ribbed aluminium design resonates throughout the store's displays, creating a surprisingly warm and elegant atmosphere that Sanz is ecstatic about.

"Not only is it our first flagship store in Asia-Pacific, but it's also one of our most ground-breaking store concepts globally. From the sculptural 3D facade to the upgraded materials, each carefully planned detail and element speaks to TUMI's brand DNA," he declared.

Opening of the new TUMI store Tokyo 

TUMI's Asia-Pacific Flagship Store has been open to the public since its inauguration on December 21 at the 5-9-17 Jingumae location in Shibuya. The store boasts a fantastic range of premium business and travel essentials, including the highly sought-after 19 Degree collection and the Spring 2024 collection, which flaunts bold colours and futuristic designs. The store's circular seating area, dramatic digital display, and 2.4-meter-long demo table provide customers and employees a medium to interact and explore the products. Make sure to visit the store and experience the world of Tumi like never before!

If you are interested in learning more about the use of aluminium in the global commodity market, please have a look at AL Circle's report Global Aluminium Industry Key Trends to 2030.