Rimowa’s design philosophy is a tidy conflux of opposites: light and easy, durable and tough. So, its current association with musician Nils Frahm makes sense. For a start, those properties are easily translated as a musical instruction, leggiero (light), commodo (easy), forte (hard), while the Hamburg-born composer, producer and pianist is an all-round musical experimentalist who thrives on artistic contradictions.
For Rimowa, meanwhile – known not only for 125 years of luggage designs but also its creative collaborations with the likes of Daniel Arsham, Palace, and Tiffany & Co – views its designs as ‘visionary tools of movement’, a philosophy you might also apply to any musical instrument, from the voice to the violin and the pianoforte.
Rimowa x Nils Frahm: ‘Hammerschlag‘ up close
The limited-edition ‘Hammerschlag’ carry case, £1,770, and cabin bag, £2,130, from rimowa.com
But for the launch of its new ‘Hammerschlag’ luggage designs, namely a carry-on and a cabin case, Cologne-born maison Rimowa is specifically focusing on the connection between the texture of hammered aluminium and Frahm, in Berlin, striking the piano, during a performance of his hypnotic ‘Hammers’. Of course, the piano is a percussion instrument that relies on internal hammers to strike each string when a key is pressed, so there’s technological harmony in the mix, too.
Musicality aside, the new designs are gorgeously tactile and luxurious, and that Rimowa is reaffirming its standing as a high-craft luggage house among its myriad copyists is a welcome move.
Ribbed polycarbonate-style designs are so ubiquitous these days as to slightly obscure the fact that Rimowa innovated the original design. So, whoever it was at brand HQ who suggested going back to its archive, and revisiting the original 1966 ‘Hammerschlag’ deserves a bonus. For there is another haute craft reflected here – the centuries-old Florentine jewellers' hammered-gold method.
Rimowa's hammered aluminium ‘Hammerschlag’ carry case, £1,770, from rimowa.com
Subtly hammering the metal creates a moon-like surface, the craters capturing the light so that it moves around and then refracts. Most recently, Swiss watch marque Audemars Piguet worked with Florentine jeweller Carolina Bucci to create a Royal Oak watch defined by its shimmering, hammered gold sheen. With the Rimowa ‘Hammerschlag’ designs, we see the texture in relief, like little moonstones, so that the light is pushed up, over the curves.
Interior of the ‘Hammerschlag’ carry-on and new luggage tag
The cognac-leather handles and luggage tag also single out the 2024 Rimowa the case’s luxuriously sleek, mid-century look. And, in case you’re planning a quick trip to Italy with your new carry-on, you might wish to broaden your local lexicon should a curious tourist wish to know more about your limited-edition ‘Hammerschlag’. The musical direction for 'with a hammering touch' is martello. How you express it, however, is entirely up to you.
Hammerschlag cabin bag, £2,130, and Carry Case, £1,770, at Rimowa stores worldwide and rimowa.com
-
Inside Harry Handlesman's Manhattan Loft Gardens penthouse in LondonManhattan Loft Corporation CEO Harry Handlesman's Manhattan Loft Gardens penthouse in London goes on the market for £17.5m
-
The new London restaurants to book nowThis month, explore the best new restaurants in London, from Arlington, an iconic celebrity hangout, to Los Mochis, where Tokyo meets Tulum
-
Bold and futuristic: new book explores the work of creative polymath Marc NewsonA weighty new tome celebrates the genius of creative polymath Marc Newson, chronicling evolution, experimentation and innovation in a career spanning four decades
-
Rimowa returns to its roots with its new leather-clad carry onRimowa’s ‘Distinct’ carry-on sees the German luggage brand’s unique ridged suitcase clad entirely in leather – a fabric Rimowa hasn’t used in this way for over a century
-
Inside the travelling exhibition celebrating 125 years of luggage brand RimowaFrom celebrity suitcases to rare special editions, Rimowa’s ‘Seit 1898’ exhibition catalogues over a century of the German luggage brand, making stops in Tokyo, New York, Shanghai and Cologne
-
First look at Rimowa’s new collaboration with cult skate brand PalacePalace Rimowa sees the luggage brand’s signature aluminium cabin suitcase emblazoned with an airbrushed motif, alongside a custom skate deck and set of stickers
-
Travel light with Moncler and Rimowa’s LED screen-emblazoned luggageMoncler and Rimowa present the ‘Reflection’ suitcase design – complete with programmable LED screen – as part of the Moncler Genius design roster
-
On the case: Rimowa launches luggage customisation service
