Known for its practical, well-made luggage and business accessories,
Tumi is venturing into exotic territory with a collection of special-order alligator accessories. The super-slim Windsor Envelope ($12,000) and sleek Parliament Brief ($13,000) are investment pieces made of American alligator. The pieces are tanned in the old-world tradition in France that requires numerous hand-finishes including stoning the skins to restore their luster, and the skins are then sent to Italy where each piece is hand-sewn, lined with suede, and finished with signature nickel hardware. The accessories are designed to fit laptop computers while maintaining a polished profile. (800.922.8864,
www.tumi.com)
