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Is There Anything as Beautiful as a Beat-Up Rimowa?

Like the stamps in your passport, suitcase dings and dents are proof you went somewhere.

Published September 24, 2023

Updated September 24, 2023

No one makes ’em like Rimowa.

Responsible for the introduction of aluminum suitcases in 1937, the brand stands alone with its influence on modern-day air travel. Its impeccably sleek aesthetic is one others try to emulate, even when they can’t truly compete. The sturdy aluminum suitcases pack, roll and look better, all while coming with a lifetime guarantee.

Part of the joy of owning an aluminum suitcases comes with admiring its bumps and bruises. No wonder the brand’s tagline reads, “Every case tells a story.” While you may not be able to attribute each dent to a particular leg of your trip, they’re memories of where you went, who you went with and what you did.

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Retired pilot Michael Moore put quite a few miles — and stickers — on his Rimowa Pilot Case, which he bought in the late ’80s, long before French multinational luxury conglomerate LVMH acquired the brand and turned its pillar product into the status symbol it is now.

“I think my suitcase has about 2.1 million air miles on it,” he recalls. Early on, Moore flew commercial planes for Air Canada, but he eventually shifted into aid and other air delivery services. “It has survived one plane crash, [but] I wasn’t the pilot!” he clarifies. “It required a bit of repair, but considering that the plane itself never flew again, the suitcase came out of that accident pretty well.”

While the plane was put out of commission by the accident, Moore’s suitcase was not. In fact, it came out looking better than ever. And that’s the beauty of an aluminum suitcase: blemishes and all, they get better with time, for as long as you’re willing to pay for repairs. “Even though it is empty now, [that suitcase] still contains a lot of memories,” Moore says.

Rimowa has repair centers inside each of its stores. It offers the same services at select high-end hotels worldwide — like the Park Hyatt in Sydney and the St. Regis in Singapore. Minor cosmetic problems are addressed on the spot, but bigger projects are sent to a dedicated service center.