Rimowa Celebrates 80 Years

In the 1930s, Rimowa’s factory burst into flames. The inferno consumed everything except for a light silver-gray, fire-resistant metal that became the basis of the company’s next product and eventual travel icon – the aluminium travel case. While the lightweight luggage has evolved over time, the base design and unmistakeable silhouette still remains the same as it was 80 years ago when the first case rolled out of Rimowa’s new factory premises in 1937.

The current Rimowa aluminium case, which it names the Topas suitcase, comprises 205 individual parts and upwards of 90 work processes to create. The entire production from start to finish lasts 117 minutes.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the aluminium legend, Rimowa reached out to some of the most famous owners in the world today and asked them to give a memorable travel story that they’ve had together with their luggage. Luminaries such as David Fincher, Virgil Abloh, Martha Stewart, and Nigo contributed to the story.

Check out their individual cases below and find out more about the aluminium luggage’s history here.