The 3-stop touring exhibition guides visitors through the rapid evolution of travel that’s defined the times since the maison’s founding in Cologne
Photography courtesy of Rimowa
In celebration of its 125th anniversary, premium luggage company Rimowa unveils Seit 1898, a 3-stop touring exhibition that features over 100 cases from its archives and friends of the brand.
Founded in 1898 in Cologne, Germany, Rimowa revolutionised the industry when it introduced aviation-inspired aluminium into the manufacture of its suitcases in 1937. In 2000, it pioneered again with the debut of the first polycarbonate suitcase.
It is this innovative spirit that continues to live on, and as Rimowa looks to the future, Seit 1898 showcases how the many transformations in travel have all left their mark on the luggage we carry today.
Photography courtesy of Rimowa
Exploring the cultural and technological forces that shaped the world of travel over the last 125 years, the retrospective comes at a fitting time to reflect on what it means to move.
Fittingly, Seit 1898 will be on the move, too – the exhibition will make stops across the globe in Tokyo (from June 9th to 18th) and New York (from September 8th to 17th) before returning to the place where it all began: Cologne in Spring 2024.
Visitors can expect to discover a beautifully curated selection from Rimowa’s extensive archive. Presented in a series of evocative diorama displays, elements of the brand’s past are reconstructed to mark the materials, places, people and craft that defined its identity over the years.
Photography courtesy of Rimowa
From experimental artistic partnerships with the likes of Off-White and Dior to rarely-seen privately owned cases from public figures like Patti Smith and Roger Federer to pop culture artefacts like the briefcase from Mission Impossible IV, Seit 1898 uncovers Rimowa’s impressive contributions to the material culture of travel from the end of the 19th century to today.
For 125 years, Rimowa has been dedicated to crafting luggage with longevity in mind — a commitment visible in every new Rimowa and the lifetime guarantee that now comes with it. Taking visitors on a nostalgic journey through time and years of culture and lifestyle, Seit 1898 celebrates a much-loved brand and the return of travel.
Seit 1898 will be on display and open to the public:
June 9th – 18th, 2023 Tokyo, Japan
JING Harajuku 6-chōme-35-6 Jingūmae Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001 Japan
Opening Hours
Daily, 11am-7pm Last entry at 6pm
September 8th – 17th, 2023 New York, USA
Location & Opening Hours
to be confirmed
Spring 2024 Cologne, Germany
Location & Opening Hours
to be confirmed
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