Future Heritage

Tatler speaks to the Rimowa CEO on the future of travel and why a suitcase can be with you for a lifetime

- Cherry Mui

German luggage brand Rimowa celebrated its 125th anniversary with a retrospective exhibition in Tokyo’s Shibuya neighbourhood in June. Seit 1898 (or “Since 1898”) showcases a series of modular dioramas highlighting aspects of the company’s history. This ranges from the familiar grooved aluminium cases first introduced in 1950 and inspired by the corrugated cladding of a particular series of aircraft, to marketing campaigns, to one-of-a-kind items like wine carriers, as well as artist editions and collaborations with brands including Fendi, Supreme and Off-White. The archive of more than 100 pieces also features rarely seen suitcases belonging to celebrities including musician Pharrell Williams, basketball legend LeBron James, artist Takashi Murakami, designer Hiroshi Fujiwara, and renowned tattoo artist Dr Woo. There’s even a house made from aluminium and polycarbonate, the materials the brand uses in its luggage.

We spoke to the maison’s CEO Hugues Bonnet-Masimbert about the evolution of the brand’s innovation, craftsmanship and, aesthetic identity, and how it’s been documenting the history of travel.