Tokyo welcomes Tumi’s first flagship store in Asia-Pacific

Global travel and lifestyle icon Tumi has pulled back the curtains on its first Asia Pacific flagship store, with the newly-unveiled Tokyo retail hub not only taking design cues from its famous ‘19 Degree’ aluminium collection but carving out a fresh direction for the brand.

Looking right at home amid the upscale boutiques of Omotesando fashion district, the façade is composed of more than 250 aluminium fins and pillars lit by LEDs, resulting in a cool 3D effect that can be seen long before you walk up to the door.

A perceptual sculpture by artist Michael Murphy sits at the heart of the store.

The same futuristic aesthetic continues when you step inside, with the bold space radiating from a sculpture by New York-based perceptual artist Michael Murphy, which morphs from a classic 19 Degree wheeled case into the Tumi logo as visitors walk around it.

The sculpture in 'luggage position'.

Launched in 2016 and expanded from purely luggage to briefcases and clutches, 19 Degree is now a staple of the Tumi collection, and as Tumi’s Creative Director Victor Sanz reveals to Executive Traveller, the brand’s “first endeavour into aluminium luggage.”

“This was something that for us was new,” Sanz explains. “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.

There's more to Tumi than wheeled luggage alone.

Sanz says the range needed to hit several points: it had to continue the ethos Tumi was known for, while also being highly functional and showing a clear 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.”

The '19 Degree' aluminium collection inspired the building's design.

That ribbed design echoes throughout the store’s displays, complemented by slate-grey tiles, marble flooring and stainless steel fixtures that create a surprisingly warm and elegant atmosphere, and Sanz couldn’t be more proud.

Shelves are adorned in the latest season's collection.

“Not only is it our first flagship store in Asia-Pacific, but it’s also one of our most ground-breaking store concepts globally,” Sanz adds. “From the sculptural 3D facade to the upgraded materials, each carefully planned detail and element speaks to Tumi’s brand DNA.”

Beyond the sculptural elements and shelves lined with premium backpacks, briefcases and rolling luggage, the store features a circular seating area and dramatic digital display, plus a 2.4-metre long demo table where customers and staff can interact.

Visitors can unpack and explore the range on the demo table.

The store offers a range of premium business and travel essentials, including the 19 Degree collection and the Spring 2024 collection, which features bold colours and futuristic designs.

Located at 5-9-17 Jingumae in Shibuya, the Tumi Asia-Pacific Flagship Store opens to the public on December 21.

The author travelled to Tokyo as a guest of Tumi.