In the bag: luxury luggage brand Rimowa open its first concept store

Old and New Bond Street are thought to have the highest density of high fashion stores anywhere in the world. Now, the west London microcosm can add luxury German luggage company Rimowa to its list of extravagant residents. The ribbons were cut last night at a star-studded cocktail opening, where VIPs were welcomed into an expansive, 220 sq m, aviation-themed space.
'There has been such demand for Rimowa in London that I have wanted to open a flagship on New Bond Street for a long time,' explains president and CEO Dieter Morszeck. And what a flagship it has turned out to be. The store shares the same design language as the cargo-hold of a plane, except the suitcases on display have more personal space than most passengers. Sections of the walls and ceiling have been covered with arching swathes of aluminium to form a holographic, industrial backdrop, in front of which artful displays of suitcases perch on white, lacquered stages.
Making our way through the fuselage, eyes are drawn to an exclusive showing of the 'Junkers F13 by Rimowa' presentation, which displays Rimowa's reproduction of the legendary Junkers aeroplane – the first all-metal aircraft, created in 1919. Made from an aluminium-alloy called Duralumin, the Junkers F13 was crafted from the same material as the first ever Rimowa suitcase.
Today, Rimowa have swapped Duralumin for a high-end polycarbonate. 'ONYX', a new range launched at the London store, makes use of this lightweight material and impresses with its classic Rimowan groove design, lavishly embedded with leather strips.
The new flagship (or flag-plane?) also marks the sales launch of the Rimowa 'Electronic Tag' system; a pioneering technology that allows luggage to be checked in from home using a smartphone – a frequent flyer's dream.
Morszeck concludes, 'With this concept store, Rimowa marks another milestone as a premium brand. London is one of the most important cities in Europe and we are delighted to be opening this innovative store in such a prestigious location.'
The ribbons were cut last night at a star-studded cocktail opening, where VIPs were welcomed into an expansive, 220 sq m, aviation-themed space
President and CEO Dieter Morszeck explains, ’There has been such demand for Rimowa in London that I have wanted to open a flagship on New Bond Street for a long time’
Sections of the walls and ceiling have been covered with arching swatches of aluminium, to form a hologramic, industrial backdrop, in front of which artful displays of suitcases perch on white, lacquered stages
Eyes are drawn to an exclusive showing of the ’Junkers F13 by Rimowa’ presentation, which displays Rimowa’s reproduction of the legendary Junkers aeroplane. Made from an aluminium-alloy called Duralumin, the Junkers F13 was crafted from the same material as the first ever Rimowa suitcase
’ONYX’, a new range launched at the London store, makes use of a lightweight polycarbonate and impresses with its classic Rimowan groove design, lavishly embedded with leather strips
The opening night saw bespoke floral displays from Les Ephemeres
INFORMATION
For more information, visit Rimowa’s website
Photography courtesy Rimowa
ADDRESS
Rimowa
153A New Bond Street
London, W1S 2TZ
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
-
Step into Andrew Cranston’s magical take on mundanity at The Hepworth Wakefield
As ‘Andrew Cranston: What made you stop here?’ opens at The Hepworth Wakefield, the artist tells us about seeing the extraordinary in the everyday
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Byredo introduces its first fine jewellery collection
Byredo fine jewellery launches with the ‘Virasaat’ collection, meaning ‘inheritance’, influenced by founder Ben Gorham’s Indian heritage
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
True to Type is a new Korean furniture brand for future generations
Seoul-based Jinsik Kim launches True to Type to explore craftsmanship and aesthetic purity through furniture and objects
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Ron Arad classics made by Dakar artisans on view in London
The work of Ron Arad is part of Opera Gallery’s ‘Untitled Rencontres’, on view until 7 January 2024
By Amah-Rose Mcknight Abrams Published
-
London designers take over an abandoned house, and stage a Christmas Market
On The Square is a collaborative project led Rio Kobayashi, bringing life and a design Christmas market to an abandoned Victorian house in east London
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Dolce & Gabbana Casa lands in London with two new locations
Dolce & Gabbana Casa opens in two new London spaces, a Brompton Road boutique and a store within Harrods, dedicated to the house’s world of furniture
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Newson’s Yard is Pimlico Road’s new design hub
Open from 1 November 2023, Newson’s Yard on Pimlico Road is a new design destination located in a former 19th century timber yard
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
PAD London 2023 beautifully merges contemporary and classic design
PAD London 2023 highlights – what to see as the fair returns to Berkeley square for its latest edition
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
London lawyers’ office unites British heritage with a Scandinavian twist
Barristers Twenty Essex embrace home comforts with newly designed offices by Pernille Lind Studio
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Jasper Morrison explores infinite possibilities of bamboo in London exhibition
London Design Festival 2023: Jasper Morrison collaborates with Japan Creative to showcase the versatility of bamboo
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Three thrones, four centuries: ‘This Island Sunrise’ at Sadie Coles HQ
‘This Island Sunrise’ celebrates improvised British design at Sadie Coles HQ, London (until 24 September 2023)
By Tianna Williams Published