Interview: Mun Ka Young and TUMI Creative Director Victor Sanz on travel tips and tricks
Ahead of the Asra collection’s global launch in Singapore, L’Officiel paused for a chat with Mun and Sanz.
TUMI celebrated a new milestone yesterday with the introduction of its newest global ambassador, esteemed South Korean actress Mun Ka Young. Mun attended the exclusive event held in Singapore on March 27th to commemorate the launch of TUMI’s newest women’s handbag collection, ASRA, and her first-ever campaign with the brand. Over 200 of the region’s leading influencers, celebrities and VIPs including Hong Kong singer and actress Charlene Choi, Filipina actresses Gabbi Garcia and Sarah Lahbati, Thai actors Dunk Natachai Boonprasert and Love Pattranite, Malaysian model and actress Scha Al-Yahya, and Singapore’s Carrie Wong and Desmond Tan, among others, attended the Discovering ASRA event. Also joining the region’s famous faces for a dazzling VIP dinner and afterparty was TUMI Creative Director Victor Sanz. Singapore was chosen for the launch, as the destination that inspired TUMI’s Spring 2024 collection and palette.
A day before the grand fete, L’Officiel paused for a quick, fun chat with both Mun and Sanz to talk all things travel.
L’Officiel: How did you feel when TUMI first approached you to be its first Asian female ambassador?
Mun Ka Young: I’ve always been a fan of TUMI so I was thrilled to become TUMI's Women's ambassador for 2024. I was also very honored to be asked to be the face of the new ASRA collection. Beauty and versatility are a big part of my life, and these bags are a perfect fit for every journey.
LO: Why do you believe Moon Ka Young is the perfect fit for TUMI?
Victor Sanz: She’s confident, she's sophisticated. I think she's an icon and she represents what an aspirational woman is: put-together, intelligent. She represents what the future TUMI woman is. It’s that confidence she conveys, and it's also the fact that she doesn't quite come from a traditional background—she was born in Germany, and then is now based in Korea. I think those facts represent us also as a global brand.
LO: Why do you believe you and TUMI are a great fit?
MKY: I think my style is quite versatile, which pairs well with TUMI and especially the ASRA collection. I love the effortlessly beautiful and soft, feminine aesthetic of ASRA. As a busy woman who is always on the go I think I’m a good representation of the TUMI woman. I want to be comfortable yet also stylish whatever I’m doing and therefore I look for handbags and luggage that look chic yet are also functional so that I can focus on the task at hand, whether I’m on set, at a meeting or having dinner with friends. I also love traveling and experiencing different cultures, and that’s obviously something that resonates with TUMI.
LO: What's your number one travel tip?
MKY: The most important thing: have a to-do packing list! I’m the type of person who needs to write down everything or already have the list on my mobile on what to pack before so it’s very time efficient. And also, the fact that I can plan ahead and make sure that everything is packed for my trip makes me happy and relieved and comfortable.
VS: Just keep a positive attitude when you travel. Things happen that are out of everyone's control. I think sometimes saying thank you and being appreciative [to people you meet in transit] will get you to your destination so much faster. Be kind.
LO: So what are your favorite pieces in the new ASRA collection?
VS: I have to say the Hobo in black! The large size.
MKY: It's definitely the ASRA Cameo Rose Small Crossbody. If you saw my airport photo from the other day, I [was carrying it]. And, during my shoots and other schedules, I also like [wearing it] because I'm the type of person who loves a simple look. So when I wear the ASRA Cameo Rose Small Crossbody, it’s a great highlight to [my outfit]. The color is beautiful.
