Known for its gleaming, grooved, and practically indestructible polycarbonate cases, Rimowa is synonymous with luxury travel. Accordingly, it is celebrating its 125th anniversary since its founding in Cologne, Germany, with a traveling exhibition. After a stint in Tokyo, the show will soon touch down in New York.
SEIT 1898 traces the brand’s narrative with hits archive. Courtesy of Rimowa.
The exhibition, SEIT 1898 (September 8–17), weaves the narrative of the brand with its archive. The 14,000-square-foot industrial space in Chelsea Factory is filled with luggage galore in a host of dioramas. On display are some of the brand’s hit limited-edition collaborations with artists such as Daniel Arsham, Olafur Eliasson, and Alex Israel, as well as brands like Dior, Supreme, Palace, and Off-White (the late Virgil Abloh’s transparent design is a particularly clever take). Also noteworthy is the storage unit created in partnership with USM Haller modular furniture that expertly combines both brand’s distinct design languages.
A deconstructed peak into the technology. Courtesy of Rimowa.
A personal touch is added with the inclusion of actual Rimowa cases owned by some of the brand’s celebrity stalwarts, including Takashi Murakami, Billie Eilish, Patti Smith, Spike Lee, and Roger Federer. If these suitcases could talk! For pop culture aficionados, items like the briefcase from and the trunk from are on hand.
Collaborations abound at the exhibition. Courtesy of Rimowa.
“SEIT 1898 is a testament to Rimowa’s commitment to its heritage,” said Emelie de Vitis, vice president of marketing at Rimowa. “It shares its pioneering design philosophy that’s endured for 125 years and continues today.”
The next stop on the jet-setting exhibition’s itinerary will be Shanghai in December.
