Rimowa: the grooved aluminium suitcase that became a collector's item

The Rimowa collection at MTHOR Shop brings together authenticated Rimowa suitcases and luggage: Original Cabin and Check-In in aluminium, Essential in polycarbonate, Classic with leather handles, as well as the German luggage maker's most sought-after collaborations with Supreme, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Aimé Leon Dore, Porsche and Palace. Buying a limited-edition Rimowa suitcase has become as hard as buying a sneaker: collaborative runs are produced in small quantities, sell out within hours and never return to stores. MTHOR Shop, a French authenticated resale store, offers them with an expert check (UV lamp, microscope, seal), worldwide delivery in 2 to 8 days to your door with signature, customs included, and interest-free payment in 4 instalments via Klarna or Scalapay. Whether you are looking for a Rimowa cabin suitcase to travel with or a Supreme x Rimowa to display, the collection is for buyers who compare the price of a new Rimowa with that of an impossible-to-find piece.

History of Rimowa: from Cologne in 1898 to the LVMH group

Rimowa is a German luggage maker founded in 1898 in Cologne by Paul Morszeck, initially specialising in wooden trunks. The name Rimowa appeared in 1931, when his son Richard Morszeck registered the brand: Ri-Mo-Wa is the contraction of "Richard Morszeck Warenzeichen", literally "registered trademark of Richard Morszeck". Aluminium entered the company's history almost by accident: in the 1930s, a fire ravaged the factory and left only the stored aluminium intact; Richard Morszeck made it the raw material of the first aluminium Rimowa suitcase, presented in 1937, light and tough where wooden and leather trunks were heavy and fragile.

In 1950, Rimowa added to its aluminium shells the parallel grooves that became its visual signature, inspired by the corrugated fuselage of Junkers aircraft. These grooves are not just aesthetic: they stiffen the shell and make each suitcase recognisable at first glance. In 2000, the brand launched its first polycarbonate suitcases, lighter, which gave rise to today's Essential range.

The shift to luxury took place in October 2016, when LVMH acquired 80% of Rimowa, the group's first German house. Alexandre Arnault ran it from 2017 to 2021 and turned the luggage maker into a fashion brand: the former Topas and Salsa ranges were renamed Original and Essential, and collaborations followed one after another with Supreme and Off-White in 2018, then Dior in 2020, Palace and Tiffany & Co. in 2023, Aimé Leon Dore in 2024. This period created the Rimowa resale market and fuels the MTHOR Rimowa collection today.

The Rimowa shell: grooved aluminium, polycarbonate and the Multiwheel system

A Rimowa suitcase is recognised by three technical choices that explain its price and longevity, and that are found on every piece in the collection, limited edition or not.

• An anodised aluminium or polycarbonate shell: the Original range (formerly Topas) uses an anodised aluminium alloy that develops a patina with travel, each scratch telling a journey; the Essential range (formerly Salsa) uses a lighter polycarbonate offered in more colours, including Ballerina pink. The Classic range takes the aluminium of the Original with shiny riveted corners and hand-stitched leather handles.
• The parallel grooves signed Rimowa: present since 1950, they run the full height of the shell, line up perfectly from one half-shell to the other and are the first checkpoint for our experts, as approximate alignment is a sign of a counterfeit.
• The Multiwheel system and TSA locks: four 360-degree double wheels, a telescopic handle with no intermediate stops on recent models, two TSA-approved combination locks and an interior with Flex Divider separators. On collaborations, these elements are kept and only the colours, badges, handles and linings change.

Sizes are standardised: Cabin (carry-on, around 35 litres), Cabin Plus, Check-In L (hold luggage) and Trunk Plus (large volume), plus the small wheel-less formats such as the Personal (worn crossbody) and the Hand-Carry Case. Knowing these sizes lets you compare a Rimowa Original Cabin and a Supreme Cabin Plus on an equal basis.

The iconic models in the Rimowa collection

The most sought-after Rimowa pieces at MTHOR Shop are the limited-edition collaborations and the rarest Original and Essential colours: here are the models you will find in the collection.

• Supreme x Rimowa Topas Multiwheel 45L Black: Rimowa's first fashion collaboration, released on 12 April 2018 in black and red, with the Supreme logo printed along the full height of the aluminium shell.
• Supreme x Rimowa Cabin Plus and Check-In L Black: the extended cabin and hold sizes from the second Supreme wave, featuring the box logo marking on black aluminium.
• Dior x Rimowa Personal Clutch On Strap: the aluminium clutch designed by Kim Jones for Dior Men, unveiled in January 2020, with a pink or black anodised gradient and the Dior Oblique pattern.
• Rimowa x Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Personal Tiffany Blue: the portable jewellery box in Tiffany blue polycarbonate, with six compartments and leather straps, from the September 2023 capsule.
• Aimé Leon Dore x Rimowa Classic Cabin Green: the 36-litre Classic Cabin in emerald green, with gold hardware, cognac leather and a Greek-pattern lining, released on 31 May 2024.
• Rimowa x Porsche Hand-Carry Case Pepita: the wheel-less case in polished aluminium, Pepita houndstooth fabric and the historic Porsche crest, limited to 911 pieces in tribute to the first 911.
• Rimowa Original Cabin Emerald Green: the aluminium cabin suitcase in a deep green, rarer than the classic silver.
• Rimowa Original Check-In L Ballerina Pink: the pale pink aluminium hold suitcase, one of the most requested colours.
• Rimowa Essential Cabin, Check-In L and Trunk Plus Gloss Ballerina Pink: the glossy polycarbonate trilogy in Ballerina pink, to travel matching from the cabin size up to the large trunk.
• Palace x Rimowa Skateboard Deck: the seven-ply Canadian maple deck with both brands' logos, launched in February 2023 alongside an Original Cabin limited to 500 pieces.

Why buy a Rimowa suitcase from MTHOR

MTHOR Shop specialises in selling authentic luxury luggage and accessories. Every suitcase in our Rimowa collection goes through a rigorous check carried out by our team of experts: we check the consistency of the box and labels, the materials, finishes, stitching and references, as well as the accessories and documentation. On a Rimowa, that means checking the alignment of the grooves between the two half-shells, the engraving and serial number, the finish of the anodising or polycarbonate, the TSA locks, the Multiwheel wheels, the badges and handles specific to each collaboration and the inner lining. For the most thorough checks, we rely on specialised tools such as the UV lamp or the microscope. Every order is shipped with a seal, a tangible guarantee that the quality check has been carried out and authenticity confirmed. Learn more about our authentication process.

We offer worldwide delivery in 2 to 8 days to your door with signature, with real-time tracking by email and WhatsApp, interest-free payment in 4 instalments via Klarna or Scalapay, and a customer service team based in France available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. If anything goes wrong, our 14-day return policy protects you.

FAQ — Rimowa at MTHOR

How can I recognise a genuine Rimowa suitcase?

At MTHOR, every Rimowa suitcase is checked by our experts before shipping: perfect alignment of the grooves between the two shells, engraved serial number matching the warranty card, quality of the anodising or polycarbonate, original TSA locks, Multiwheel wheels, badges and handles consistent with the stated collaboration, then UV lamp and microscope examination in case of doubt. The suitcase reaches you with a seal certifying that this check has been carried out.

Is a Supreme x Rimowa or a Dior x Rimowa still available in stores?

No: Rimowa collaborations are limited editions sold in a single drop, usually within hours, and are not restocked. The 2018 Supreme x Rimowa, the 2020 Dior x Rimowa or the Rimowa x Porsche limited to 911 pieces can only be found on the resale market, which explains the price gap with a Rimowa Original or Essential from the permanent catalogue.

What comes with a Rimowa suitcase bought at MTHOR?

A Rimowa suitcase from MTHOR comes with the items received from the brand: the Rimowa protective cover, the warranty card or booklet, and the original box when the piece came with it. For collaborations, the specific accessories (Palace stickers, luggage tags, inner pouches) are listed on each product page, and we never mention an item that is not included in the parcel.

How long does delivery of a Rimowa suitcase take?

We ship worldwide, with home delivery against signature within 2 to 8 days. You get real-time tracking by email and WhatsApp, wherever you are.

Do I have to pay customs fees for a Rimowa delivered outside France?

No, you pay no customs fees. MTHOR covers all customs fees and duties, wherever you are in the world. The price shown on the site is the final price you pay: no nasty surprises on delivery.

Can I return a Rimowa suitcase after receiving it?

Yes. You have 14 days after receipt to return your Rimowa suitcase, provided it is in its original condition (never used, packaging intact, seal not removed). The refund is processed within 24 hours of receiving the return.

Going further

To go further, discover our authenticated Supreme and Dior pieces, our full range of luxury bags and luggage, or read our authentication process.