With the Luxurious Magazine® trip to the UK looming, luggage (odd is it might seem) is at the forefront of our minds. When you spend a large portion of your life travelling to exotic and luxurious destinations around the world, bags tend to get a little ‘tatty’.
Members of the editorial team are constantly looking at their once great, branded luggage with distain and a hint of tutting, so luckily for us TUMI have launched their latest range, the Alpha 2 Collection. An opportnuity for us to drool a little and send subliminal messages to their Head Office saying “Please furnish us!”.
Updated with innovative technologies, Alpha 2 stands as a true modern classic in both design and function. The collection will range from slim, expandable carry-on suitcases and extended trip packing cases to large wheeled duffels and garment bags in two and four-wheel styles.
The Alpha 2 Collection integrates well thought out design infused with iconic style. It was back in 1983 that TUMI pioneered the use of the highly durable ballistic nylon material for its travel cases, revolutionizing the travel industry by debuting the Alpha Legacy collection. Crafted from this soft, yet highly durable material, Alpha Legacy is a performance-driven collection, serving as a signature element of TUMI’s heritage.
There are thirty improvements implemented into the Alpha 2 travel collection, which boasts more than 14 patents. Alpha 2 is TUMI’s most spacious and lightest ballistic nylon travel collection today. Key upgrades include newly designed 360° wheels, recessed into the body of suitcases to give a lower center of gravity, stable multidirectional navigation and a roomier interior compared to carry-on bags with surface-mounted wheels.
An update to the handle system offers a solution by implementing three height options into the dual tube, allowing for easier maneuverability and convenience when rolling through the airport. Unique to TUMI is the X-Brace 45® handle housing system. Made from lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum, this special system forms a protective, impact-absorbing structure around the telescoping handle tubes within the case.
Alpha 2 is expanding in new ways with the durable and lightweight Lever Lock™ Expansion System. The easy-to-use feature uses a spring-loaded lever which opens and closes securely to provide two-stages of expansion and up to two and a half extra inches of packing space. Exterior pockets are built to inwardly expand, reducing exterior gusseting and excess space, top and side handles are redesigned to be flat and retractable, and the introduction of a bottom handle offers convenience when picking up suitcases at the baggage carousel. Upgrades to iconic elements, including the signature TUMI luggage tag and monogram patch, reveal new designs. The monogram patch is re-designed with a cleaner, beveled edge detail and is centered on the front exterior pocket. The luggage tag is repositioned on the side of each travel style. Originally developed for the interior of travel and day bags, the TUMI Tracer plate–an exclusive program designed to reunite customers with their lost or stolen items identified by a unique 20-digit number–is now more prominently stamped on the exterior rear of the bag.
When a lost or stolen TUMI Tracer item is found, the finder is encouraged to follow the easy steps to return back to its owner. Upon unzipping each case, a two-toned mesh lining adds interior flair. Tailoring to the needs of the business traveler, a new integrated suitor system is offered in carry-on styles and checked cases come with a removable suitor sleeve to keep garments protected from the airline cabin to the hotel closet.
The spring 2014 collection spotlights three classic neutrals: Black, Espresso and a color blocked Grey/Orange. Alpha 2 will launch globally and on tumi.com March 2014.