80 Years of History
In the 1930’s, RIMOWA’s Factory burst into flames. The only surviving material was a light silver-gray, fire-resistant metal. In 1937, the long-standing company revolutionized the world of travel when it started the production of a lightweight luggage made of aluminum. The aluminum case has stood the test of time – better still, it has since risen to become the RIMOWA brand’s quintessential product. By 1950, the introduction of a new line of aluminum cases with an unmistakable grooved structure put the RIMOWA design on the map and made it the epitome of exclusive travel culture. Another innovation followed in 1976 with the development of the first waterproof camera cases, which protected delicate equipment from water and humidity. In 2017, a new generation of the Topas groove design was launched – yet another milestone for the iconic RIMOWA aluminum case.
80 Years a Design Icon
RIMOWA has remained true to its heritage and left the core concept of the aluminum case unchanged. During production, the aluminum body – a highly durable material combining sleek design and stability – is given a meticulous handcrafted finish, turning its smooth surface into a lustrous grooved casing. It takes 205 individual parts and upward of 90 work processes to breathe life into a new case. In exactly 117 minutes, a single classic Topas suitcase is completed and ready to leave the Cologne factory. Over the course of its life, every dent, scratch and sticker recorded on its surface in the hands of a travel companion will act as a reminder of a shared history.
80 Years: An Anniversary
The original aluminum suitcase has been a work in progress since 1937. Throughout the years, case sizes, interiors, corners, handles and wheels have been continuously improved and adjusted in accordance with customer needs. To mark the 80th anniversary of the RIMOWA aluminum case, close friends of the brand are presenting their own aluminum luggage and inviting us into the world of their personal travels. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld will show us a personal photograph of his suitcase. Other personalities include award-winning director David Fincher, editor in chief Carine Roitfeld, artist Anne Imhof, designer Virgil Abloh, entrepreneur Martha Stewart, iconic chef Massimo Bottura, curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, design collective AMBUSH, architect Annabelle Selldorf and DJ and designer Nigo – each of them with their own story. In order to give the cases a stage, pictures taken by German photographer Frank Hülsbömer will be presented on RIMOWAs social media channels, as well as on its website – http://rimowa.com/aluminium. Notable quotes provided by the cases’ owners will also explain how travel has given them character and helped shape their identity. An emotional highlight of the initiative will be the presentation of a film directed by Dan Tobin Smith, in which he follows the aluminum material through all of its production stages at the company headquarters in Cologne.
80 Years: An Anniversary Sticker
An anniversary sticker will also be available in limited edition at select RIMOWA stores. They will not be for sale but will serve as a gift to friends of the brand. The anniversary sticker will be available at the end of year.
- We see four RIMOWA aluminum cases that represent the milestones of the past 80 years:
- The wardrobe trunk was one of the first cases to be made of aluminum. Its “hammer stroke” pattern was typical at that time.
- Small cases with the unmistakable grooved design were a status symbol for stylish cosmopolitans in the mid-20th century
- The camera case represents another RIMOWA innovation and is still manufactured in Cologne as the Tropicana range.
- The 2017 Topas is a modern cabin trolley made of aluminum, with the high-quality Multiwheel system and an extendable telescopic handle with no preset stages for ease of movement.
