For someone born and raised in Southeast Asia, the number of times I’ve actually spent my hard-earned vacations enjoying the region’s island wonders is embarrassingly low. But one March morning, courtesy of Tumi, I finally found myself quietly marvelling at the sunrise from the coast of Koh Samui. Just a two-hour flight away from Singapore, I headed to the island for the launch of the brand’s Spring 2026 Mediterranean Escape collection, where I spent the weekend experiencing its new travel essentials exactly as intended, at a coastal paradise.
Inspired by the sights, smells, and tastes of the Mediterranean, Tumi’s new collection showcases a version of Tumi that captures the joy of a coastal holiday in said region. What better way to celebrate the launch than with an actual coastal retreat? For three days, Tumi welcomed guests, including Thai celebrities Becky Armstrong, “Dunk” Natachai Boonprasert, and “Mile” Phakphum Romsaithong, to the sparkling white sands of Koh Samui, to introduce its latest offerings.
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From celebrity VIPs to media guests, our weekend wardrobes were a wash of pinks, soft greens, and lively yellows—a nod to new colourways introduced in the collection. Splashed across its 19 Degree luggage and the popular Voyageur line, they include Pink Clay, inspired by the region’s terracotta architecture; lush Thyme, named for the flavours of Mediterranean cuisine; and Washed Yellow, representing the scent of lemon groves on the Amalfi coast.
“We wanted a moment to take a pause, to breathe again, and we kept coming back to the Mediterranean,” Tumi Global Creative Director Victor Sanz shares during our Sunday afternoon conversation. “Visiting a beautiful coastal town, having a cocktail with your friend without any plans, and just enjoying that.”
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To the average traveller, the keywords associated with the brand usually fall along the lines of trustworthy, durable and, well, serious. Tumi Asia-Pacific and Middle East Vice President Aris Maroulis readily admits this when we chat over a leisurely lunch. Across its key collections, from the suave Alpha line to its Tegra luggage, the brand is recognised for its solution-based design. Now, Tumi is proving that it is just as adept at throwing fun into the mix for good measure. Between the expressive colour story and playful bag charms, the Mediterranean Escape collection is a new look for the brand, while still upholding the design ethos on which the brand’s reputation is staked in the performance luxury space.
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“It's not so much a pivot, but at times you need to slow down to move forward,” Sanz affirms. And if the number of times he reminded his guests to kick back and relax over the weekend is any indicator, he truly takes this philosophy to heart. “Our customers need that time to pause and reflect. So, why not create the right vehicles for them to achieve that? It's these two worlds that absolutely can live together, and we don't sacrifice.”
The new 19 Degree Front Access illustrates this best. Designed with cramped European hotel rooms in mind, it refreshes the 19 Degree silhouette with a front lid to the main compartment, halving the space it takes up when packing and unpacking. The lightweight lid also makes opening and closing the luggage much quicker. As someone who, without fail, only notices I’ve forgotten to pack a toothbrush or laptop charger minutes before heading to the airport, this feature is a lifesaver. Between that and the soothing Thyme shade, it instantly became my new favourite piece of luggage.
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The collection also introduces a dynamic Mediterranean print featured across luggage, totes, and accessories. The image of a family lounging on the coastline, captured by a friend of the design team during his own Mediterranean adventure, forms the base, while graphics of lemons and florals lend it a lively, expressive air. Meanwhile, the raffia-inspired additions to the Olas line are perfect for beach days. The woven tote carried me through the weekend: Its internal pockets and detachable pouch allowed for easy organisation and quick access to my microphones, sunscreen and cosmetics.
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Sanz credits this new creative direction to a growing appetite for personal expression. In addition to its new colourways, the collection answers this call with a selection of adorable bag charms which, in true Tumi fashion, also act as functional accessories. There’s a sleek lemon that doubles as a mirror, an olive that unzips for extra storage, and a clip-on sunglass charm that holds your sunnies while on the go. Tumi isn’t just hopping onto trends; it’s tailoring them to its design philosophy and its customers’ needs.
The thoughtful yet playful spirit behind the collection also manifested in our itinerary, which included flower-pressing and mosaic-making workshops—not to mention, Mediterranean meals with elaborate table settings that transported us straight to the Amalfi coast.
Even with work at the back of my mind, every detail—from the Tumi pieces I brought with me to the moments of fun and rest built into our busy schedule—ensured I spent the weekend feeling exactly how Sanz hopes every traveller feels with Tumi: Confident, secure, and ready.
All Photos: Courtesy of Tumi