Rimowa has brought back its archives. The newly unveiled limited edition 'Classic Aluminum Grid' collection originates from a handheld case design from 1969. Instead of its signature vertical grooves, Rimowa chose to press a grid pattern into the aluminum shell. Rather than simply replicating the old design, this product has been reinterpreted to fit the current Classic line.
The most noticeable change is the surface. Instead of Rimowa's signature vertical grooves, which are recognizable from a distance at airports, a structural grid pattern has been incorporated. This pattern does not end on the outer shell; the same motif is seamlessly applied to the interior quilted lining. In addition, details such as a blue leather handle, luggage tag, palladium lock, and engraved airplane rivets have been added to maintain the atmosphere of the existing Classic line.
The collection consists of three configurations: the Classic Hand Carry Case, Classic Cabin, and Classic Trunk. All products are manufactured at the factory in Cologne, Germany, and sold as numbered limited editions. The quantity is limited to 1,969 units. Rimowa also offers a lifetime warranty on the entire collection. While the products commemorate past designs, they are designed to be durable and long-lasting for actual travel.
The price is not low. It is set between $2,325 and $3,225 in the U.S. It is not a product you will easily buy on impulse. Instead, Rimowa proposes this product as an item to carry around for a long time, rather than a suitcase to be used briefly and replaced. The grid pattern also aligns well with this direction. This is because the changes are subtle enough that anyone familiar with Rimowa will recognize it immediately, rather than being overly eye-catching.
What makes this collection interesting is that it did not add any forced devices to create something new. Instead of collaborating with other brands or emphasizing strong colors, it found the answer within its own archive. Through this Classic Aluminum Grid, Rimowa demonstrates how a brand with over 100 years of history brings the past back into the present.
