Global brand Tumi has tapped Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue to design a limited edition to celebrate its 40th year.

In the Philippines, the 1975 collection was launched at Tumi’s 40th anniversary at the Kenneth Cobonpue Showroom in Makati on May 7.

The brand has also tapped Jamy Yang, an award-winning industrial designer from China.

Cobonpue and Yang were asked to imagine what the future might look like for Tumi.

For Tumi’s 1975 collection, Kenneth combined ballistic nylon with hand-stitched organic bamboo reed to create the “Vortex” bag, a beautiful and modern bag that is durable, functional and fashionable with a natural story.

Kenneth advocates the importance of using organic materials in design. The mix of bamboo and nylon results in a streamlined design that complements the beauty of dynamic travel.

“Wherever we travel in the world, it reminds us to respect our environment and surroundings, and to tread as lightly as possible,” says Kenneth.

Founded in 1975, Tumi unveils an exclusive, limited-edition collection aptly called “1975,” to project the meticulous craftsmanship, technical innovation and functional superiority Tumi is renowned for.

Fernando Ciccarelli, senior vice president and managing director for Tumi Asia Pacific, said, “This is an opportunity to celebrate the brand’s unique heritage of outstanding innovation, craftsmanship and design.”

Founded by Charlie Clifford, Tumi started as an importer of leather goods from South America to the US. Each piece of the 1975 collection is crafted from natural, full grain cowhide leather similar to the variety Tumi originally imported.

The Primer Group of Companies, Asia’s next retail giant, is the exclusive distributor of Tumi in the Philippines.