Trolley bag from the Rimowa x Tiffany & Co collaboration.
Steve Harris
Rimowa is bringing back the cosmetic bag, with its version designed solely to protect jewelry, not makeup, like the lap-friendly top-handle models that were popular in the early to mid-20th century.
It’s one of three stunning designs from the German luggage company’s collaboration with Tiffany & Co. Which will launch on September 26 in select Rimowa stores, on rimowa.com, at the Tiffany Landmark store in New York City and on tiffany.com in Greater China. Via WeChat.
In exclusive interviews with WWD, Rimowa and Tiffany executives praised their shared values.
“Collaborations give us the opportunity to innovate and bring to bear the expertise of brands that value craftsmanship in the same way we do,” said Hugues Bonnet Massempert, CEO of Rimowa. “The result is one-of-a-kind pieces that resonate with our loyal customers and partners.”
The carry-on compartment and vanity boxes shine strictly from polished aluminum that has been given a polished, beveled surface, suggesting diamond facets. Rimowa, recognizable by its aluminum luggage, calls it “pieces of rock.”
The handles, wheels and interior trim are finished in the signature Tiffany Blue. The vanity case offers three blue trays, the top is closed, with sections to hold rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces.
Meanwhile, Rimowa’s popular hard shell cross-body bag comes in Tiffany Blue polycarbonate, with six jewelry compartments inside.
Retail prices range from €1,800 for a cross-body case up to €3,900 for a top-handle jewelery case.
Personalized jewelry box from the Rimowa x Tiffany & Co collaboration.
Steve Harris
Since LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton acquired the premium luggage maker in 2017, it has launched buzzy collaborations with Dior, Off-White, Supreme, Fendi, Moncler, Daniel Arsham and many more.
“The idea came to my mind shortly after I joined Tiffany,” said Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president of product and communications at the American jewelry company, who previously served as CEO of Rimowa. “The union of the two houses seemed natural as both are such great forces in their respective industries. Every piece in this collaboration reflects our heritage of exceptional design and our standards of delivering the best quality and utmost commitment to our craft.
Arnault noted that Tiffany & Co. has been offering one-of-a-kind jewelry boxes for decades, including Elsa Peretti’s. “We will continue to explore product categories that complement and expand on our traditional jewelry designs.”
Arnault explained that his interest in Rimowa began before LVMH acquired the brand, and he realized its potential. “During my time there, we used a focused approach to repositioning the house and it was exciting to see its continued success.”
Rimowa has a traveling exhibition marking its 125th anniversary that has already arrived in Tokyo and New York City, and includes a vanity case from its archives.
Bonnet Massembert noted that decorative cases were essential at the time, and “this case, among others from our extensive archives, is an inspiration to us as we continue to observe the changing world around us and what travel entails.”
“Recently, the famous experimental case has resurfaced,” he noted.
Jewelry vanity bag from the Rimowa x Tiffany & Co collaboration.
Steve Harris