Skip to main content

Q&A: George Esquivel of Tumi

qa george esquivel tumi
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Every traveler worth his weight in carry-ons needs a great weekend bag or wheeled suitcase. After all, if the paparazzi spy you at LAX do you really want to be carrying a beaten and threadbare duffel bag? One of the hottest luggage brands on the market today is Tumi. The New Jersey-based luxury bag line launched in 1975. Known for its utilitarian black nylon carryalls, the company soon expanded to include leather weekenders, titanium roller bags and other items that made it the darling of the travel set in the 1990s. Today, the brand remains an innovator with more than 25 patents for its designs. In early 2013, George Esquivel joined as Creative Director. A shoe designer by trade– Janelle Monae, Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars are fans of his bespoke shoe line–Esquivel has been a longtime fan of Tumi, carrying their bags from his home base of Los Angeles to his factories in Italy.

Were you always fascinated by luggage and carryalls? Did you want to be in the business growing up?

I would say that for the past 12 to 14 years I have constantly been on the road, either traveling to see accounts or to fit my clients. I have been fascinated with luggage, carryalls and all things travel. When a large part of your life revolves around travel, the subject of how you pack, what you pack, what bags you use, etc., always becomes a point of discussion. Funny how Tumi always ended up in those conversations.

What kind of creative team do you have at Tumi and how do you develop styles and designs that don’t look like “been there, done that?”

I work with people that love product, truly understand the craft of travel cases and bags/accessories, that also happen to be design fanatics. When we sit and discuss new ideas it always starts with things we love either in furniture, automotive, art, stationery, etc. It starts with a general idea then we get into function, then we move into aesthetics. There are a lot of round table discussions based on the needs of the bag or category that we need to work on. A lot of brands are afraid to come out of their design box so products tend to look the same. At Tumi, the evolution of the product is always being pushed so the look and feel is always moving forward yet it always feels like the Tumi DNA of design excellence and technical innovation.

What can we expect to see from Tumi in 2014?

For 2014,  everyone can expect to see more of the amazing technical innovations mixed with beautiful luxe materials. To me the marriage of tech/modern with beautiful craftsmanship is the ultimate goal.

Can you give us more info about designs and ideas you have for upcoming collections?

I think more than just specific designs, it’s the overall feeling and direction of the brand. The goal is to always be moving forward, stay relevant, make super functional items that also look very beautiful and chic. It’s the magic of the consumer having this emotional connection and may not be able to explain why they love our bags, they just do.

What bag from your collection is your personal favorite?

As I continue to work closely with the Tumi design team, I really want to emphasize  the artisanal design elements that go into a Tumi product. My design influence will be seen throughout all collections and already existing styles but updating in richer leathers and mixing with Tumi’s iconic ballistic nylon material. The Santa Monica collection is totally me. The Kessler bag, originally from the Alpha Bravo collection, is a style I love to use as my carryall. This silhouette is a perfect size that we are able to introduce each season in new and mixed materials. We just previewed a new color way at the capsule show. It’s a cool mix of ballistic nylon and leather.

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style is a bit relaxed; growing up in Southern California really played a big part in that. At the same I try to mix in some flavor from my travels to European and Asian cities. On a typical day when I’m traveling and working, it’s a deconstructed blazer, either a polo, v-neck or button down oxford, a pair of dark blue or black jeans and a pair of my boots or shoes.  California, casual with a bit of a twist.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Shandana A. Durrani
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Shandana A. Durrani has been a magazine editor and travel writer for more than two decades. Her work has appeared in numerous…
All new Rolex 1908 men’s watch leans into timeless Rolex styling and we can’t get enough of it
You won't stop staring at it, but that has nothing to do with what time it is
The Rolex Perpetual 1908

The world’s most desirable watch brand, Rolex, is paying homage to its long and storied history with a new series of watches. The new Rolex watch takes inspiration from the vintage timepieces that made the luxury brand what it is today. So expect an almost impossibly slim profile, smaller dimensions than modern men’s watches, and large numbers. Another nice vintage touch is the lack of a central seconds hand, with a dedicated sub-dial being used instead.

Rolex’s main inspiration when creating the Perpetual 1908 is the original Oyster Perpetual from 1931. While its 39mm diameter may be a little more petit than the 45+ mm dive watches that have been in vogue over the last few decades, it’s actually somewhat of a compromise. Many classic men’s watches are rocking 34mm or 36mm cases.

Read more
We found those iconic Deion Sanders sunglasses, and they’re only $67
Look like Prime, stay winnin' like Prime
Deion Sanders wearing Blenders

There are a lot of things that Deion Sanders is good at: baseball, football, and coaching the latter, for instance. But one that he is excelling at off the field is promotion. Sure, he is a name and a face, and it seems like it would be easy. But when you develop your own sunglasses with a brand like Blenders, you feel the need to promote harder than usual. And now, you can snatch up a pair of these viral sunglasses yourself but don't expect them to show up on your doorstep as fast as they went viral.

Creating a viral sensation
Before his Colorado football team took the field and triumphed over rival Colorado State in a double overtime victory, his entire team showed out with their own pair of Prime 21s, the new collaboration between "Neon" Deion and Blenders sunglasses. Of course, that is never enough, as he gifted big names in sports like Stephen A. Smith (sports TV host) and Dwayne Johnson (former wrestler and football monster himself) a pair of their own to promote to their giant followings. Not to mention, another commentator called him out before the game for wearing glasses in interviews. We're not saying it was orchestrated, but the timing was perfect.

Read more
ZENITH Watches DEFY Extreme Carl Cox edition lands September 25, limited to 100 watches, priced at $30,100
There are only 100 pieces AND you get to meet Carl Cox
ZENITH Defy Extreme Carl Cox watch

Luxury watch enthusiasts, mark your calendars! ZENITH is set to release a horological marvel that's bound to send ripples through the world of timekeeping. The DEFY Extreme Carl Cox edition from ZENITH watches, a limited masterpiece, is slated to land on September 25. With only 100 pieces available and priced at a sumptuous $30,100, this timepiece is a tribute to both precision and fashionable aesthetics.
A fusion of craftsmanship: The ZENITH DEFY Extreme Carl Cox Edition
ZENITH's collaboration with Carl Cox, an ambassador for the brand, has given birth to an extraordinary creation. At the heart of this men's watch beats the most rugged and fastest 1/100th of a second chronograph, setting the tempo for accuracy that is second to none. But this watch is not just about attention to detail; it's also a nod to Carl Cox's musical heritage. The design takes cues from his favorite set of turntables, seamlessly blending the worlds of horology and music. The chronograph sub-counters have fine circular ridges that look like vinyl records, and the one at 9 o’clock has a Carl Cox logo on it. The number of sub-counters, three, also reflects Cox’s pioneering three-deck DJing style.

The ZENITH DEFY Extreme Carl Cox edition is a stunning watch that combines the best of both worlds: a classic design with a modern twist. This watch features a 45mm matte microblasted stainless steel and yellow gold case, with a 12-sided yellow gold insert under the bezel and crown guards. This blend of materials exudes a minimalistic and retro-futuristic look; it's a visual masterpiece that will undoubtedly turn heads. The case is water-resistant to 200m and has a screw-down crown for added security. The dial is open-worked, revealing the intricate workings of the El Primero 9004 in-house calibre, a chronometer-certified movement that boasts a dual regulating organ, one for timekeeping and one for the chronograph.

Read more