Courtesy of Rimowa
Rimowa introduces Clay and Terracotta, two new colorways for its Essential Line that reference ancient craft traditions through a modern travel lens.
From the earliest days of civilization, clay has been trusted to carry, store, and protect what matters. Found on almost every continent, it requires no complex extraction from the ground and only the element of water to create something new. In its soft state, clay is soft and malleable. Once fired in a kiln, it becomes a permanent form as ‘terracotta’ (Italian for baked earth) with a reddish hue created by iron-rich earth transformed by heat.
Archaeologists trace ceramic vessels back thousands of years, from early Mesopotamian pottery to terracotta architecture and sculpture across Asia and the Mediterranean. In the Philippines, this story is just as prime and present.
Clay and earthenware traditions in the Philippines date back more than 4,000 years, from the Manunggul Jar to the living practices of Kalinga. Across the country, pottery centers remain an important source of income for many people. In places such as Santo Tomas in Pampanga and Tangub in Bacolod City, artisans shape functional wares from locally sourced clay. The Spanish-era introduction of terracotta roof tiles also left a lasting mark, becoming a defining architectural feature of the bahay na bato.
It’s these historic connotations, symbolizing adaptability and protection, that have inspired the launch of two new colours for Rimowa’s Essential Line, a polycarbonate collection of suitcases designed as a lighter and more youthful alternative to the brand’s holy grail aluminum cases.
Founded in Cologne in 1936, Rimowa has become a staple of luxury travel, favored by pilots and pop stars alike, and seen rolling through the world’s smartest hotels and airports. While silverware suitcases continue to represent the brand’s identity, the Essential Line has developed its own following since its launch in 2000. Rosé, Tilda Swinton, Robert Pattinson, Michelle Williams, Gigi Hadid, and Eddie Redmayne are among those who have been seen traveling with them.
Available in cabin, check-in, and trunk sizes, the new colorways exhibit Rimowa’s commitment to wider cultural color trends, linking contemporary travel to the materials and practices that have supported human mobility for thousands of years.
