A sunset cruise along Sentosa’s glittering horizon sets the tone for what is to come. With an eye-catching crossbody bag cradled in her arms, South Korean actress Mun Ka-young strikes an elegant pose as on-lookers snap photographs. Dreamt up in a lilting purple hue, the bag is one of four colour ways in Tumi’s new Asra collection for spring/summer 2024.
The celebratory launch party held on Sentosa was a notable affair for two reasons. For one, it was an educated discovery of Tumi’s new designs—especially the Singapore-inspired Purple Sunset colourway. “We came across these beautiful sunsets on Sentosa and decided to use them as inspiration for the striking blend of colours on the knotted bag handles. This visual approach extends to the rest of the collection too,” shares Tumi’s creative director Victor Sanz.
But it was Mun’s captivating presence that was doubtlessly the second reason. The newly appointed ambassador considers the Asra campaign an alternative expression of herself. She says: “When I’m acting, I’m limited to the character I’m playing. But with a fashion shoot like this, I love that I can show a different side of me that others might not have seen before.” It’s exactly this sentiment that Tumi hopes to emulate with its latest designs. “We wanted to create a collection that was sophisticated, timeless and suitable for the modern woman who is multidimensional. Alongside traits like functionality or durability which people would normally associate with Tumi, we also wanted to lead with the idea of beauty,” says Sanz.
The result is a series of stunning bag silhouettes: soft, structured and versatile enough to wear all day, from the boardroom to happy hour. “Women often travel with two bags: a big tote to pack all their work items or maybe even shoes, then another bag which is an expression of their personality and how they want to be seen by the world,” muses Sanz, on the motivation behind the Asra collection.
Merging style with practicality, Tumi’s Asra collection captures everything a woman might hope for in a bag. The microfibre-lined pocket is something of a game changer—as Mun herself points out—providing the perfect spot for effortless access to your trusty mobile device or a sleek pair of sunglasses. Here, Mun shares with Vogue Singapore the things she loves most about the Asra collection, and how she sees herself incorporating its myriad options into everyday life.
What do you admire most about the Asra collection?
I love that there are so many different colours to choose from. The devil is in the details, because if you look inside each bag, you’ll also notice the microfibre-lined pocket, which is a game changer. Not only can you put a lot of things inside, but it’s these simple and thoughtful details that effortlessly complement my style.
What did you love most about working with Tumi for the Asra campaign?
When I’m acting, I’m limited to the character I’m playing. But with a fashion shoot like this, I realise that I can actually show a different side of me that others might not have seen before. Which is the reason why I’m thrilled to have worked on a campaign with Tumi.
What is your favourite product from the Asra collection?
My favourite item from the Asra collection is the Shoulder bag in Moonlight. I think it looks very soft and feminine, and it suits my personal style very well.
What is your idea of a perfect holiday?
I’m usually the kind of person who enjoys strolling along city streets, but after taking a walk along the beach at Sentosa during my time here, I realised that what I actually really love is simply a holiday without any plans at all. All I need is a book and I’m all set.
How does the Asra collection complement your lifestyle habits?
Tumi’s Asra collection is so versatile and the different silhouettes and colours are able to complement various aspects of my lifestyle—whether I’m jumping on a plane for work, going out to dinner with friends or heading off on a weekend getaway.
Below, discover the different ways in which Mun would style the Asra collection.
1 / 3
For the airport
“I really like a chic and sophisticated airport look. It usually consists of a blazer, or a nice blouse paired with jeans. My Asra Shoulder Bag in Black pairs nicely with this sort of look.”
2 / 3
For an evening out
“When I’m going out in the evening, I don’t usually have a lot with me and prefer to go hands-free. So I would use my smaller Asra Crossbody. If I’m wearing a more muted outfit, I often enjoy adding a pop of colour, which the Cameo Rose or Purple Sunset colourways would be perfect for.”
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For a weekend getaway
“The Asra Large Hobo is perfect for a short weekend trip. It’s a roomy option with enough space to pack along a couple of outfits and other travel essentials. The best part? You can wear it as a crossbody and go hands-free whilst on the road. It’s definitely got a cool vibe to it.”
