Luxury luggage gets an avant-garde makeover as RIMOWA and Maison Margiela come together for a new limited-edition collaboration.
Launched today, the partnership brings together two of their most recognisable designs: RIMOWA’s Classic Cabin suitcase and Maison Margiela’s oversized 5AC XL bag, reworked as a matching travel set.
Rather than pursuing the pristine finish typically associated with luxury goods, the collection takes inspiration from the imperfections that accumulate over time.
Scratches, dents and fading are treated as part of an object’s character, an idea that connects RIMOWA’s well-travelled aluminium cases with Maison Margiela’s longstanding interest in deconstruction and the aesthetics of wear.
Central to the collaboration is Bianchetto, Maison Margiela’s distinctive white-painting technique. Applied by hand to both pieces, the coating is intended to crack and peel through use, gradually giving each item an individual finish.
The technique dates back to 1988, when founder Martin Margiela painted the furniture in the fashion house’s first studio white. Almost four decades later, it remains one of the label’s most recognisable design signatures.
The partnership also brings together RIMOWA’s industrial design heritage and Maison Margiela’s unconventional approach to construction. The suitcase’s familiar aluminium grooves, first introduced in 1950, are echoed in the leather exterior of the 5AC XL. Rather than being stitched into place, the bag’s three-dimensional pattern is formed directly into the leather using high-frequency technology.
Inside, the Classic Cabin departs from conventional luggage detailing. Its white lining, exposed stitching and overlocked edges give the impression of a garment turned inside out, while four slanted white-thread stitches adorn the aluminium logo badge.
The bag, meanwhile, comes with a removable cross-body strap and leather loops that allow it to be attached to the suitcase, bringing the two pieces together as a coordinated set. A bespoke leather tag, combining elements of both houses’ signature accessories, completes the collection.
The accompanying campaign, photographed and directed by Dexter Lander, takes the concept of Bianchetto to an exaggerated conclusion. Set inside a Haussmannian apartment, it depicts the suitcase, bag and surrounding interiors engulfed in white paint, with the silhouettes of the pieces left behind on the walls.
Both will be available from the 19th of November at selected stores and online at the brands’ respective websites.
