To say Aimé Leon Dore is having a bit of a moment right now would be to completely undersell the New York label’s remarkable rise to prominence over the past decade. Widely regarded as the bastion of all style when it comes to new-wave luxury fashion, the Teddy Santis-founded label has managed to transcend generations and immerse itself in popular culture. Somewhat unremarkably, however, is the blueprint the brand has followed.
Like so many other streetwear brands that have amassed significant popularity, Aimé Leon Dore has done it through calculated collaborative campaigns. Just as Nigo did with A Bathing Ape in the early 2000s, ALD has carefully selected luxury houses and fellow fashion labels that best align with its clothing and footwear strategy. Now, the brand is turning to luggage and who better to tap for a little industry credibility than German icon RIMOWA?
The new Aimé Leon Dore x RIMOWA collection sees the New York label reimagine the classic RIMOWA chest and cabin, adding a familiar green touch to the instantly recognisable line. According to the brands, the goal for this new collection was to “embrace the essence of classic travel”, all while infusing the designs with modern sensibilities.
“Since its inception in 1898, RIMOWA has stood as a trailblazer in the realm of travel, seamlessly blending expert craftsmanship, functional design, and an unwavering spirit of innovation,” RIMOWA wrote of the new collection. “Now, in collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore, the Maison unveils a collection that channels both its rich heritage and the classic elegance synonymous with the New York-based label.”
When considering that RIMOWA’s Chest and Cabin luggage offerings are assembled by hand and virtually indestructible, modern sensibilities are all but checked off. For the old-world charm, however, Aimé Leon Dore added some much-needed sparkle. The new collaborative pieces feature distinctive gold-plated hardware, which RIMOWA reveals was a nod to an archival Cabin Truck from 1964.
Further, the new pieces also feature brown leather handles and straps, along with co-branded leather-covered logo badges with gold embossing adorning each piece. Inside, you’ll also find a bespoke resilient nylon lining with a unique patterning of ancient Greek stamp iconography, a signature artwork by Aimé Leon Dore.
As far as Aimé Leon Dore collaborations go, the work with RIMOWA is a natural fit, opening the door for more high-end luxury crossovers in the future. What’s more, it speaks to the power that sneaker brands now possess on the global fashion stage.
Up until now, Santis and co. have worked primarily with footwear and sneaker designers on collaborative pieces, most notably with 2019’s New Balance x ALD NB997 and, more recently, the ALD x New Balance 1300. The latter piece was undoubtedly the catalyst for massive industry-sweeping change, not only reinvigorating a tired 1980s basketball shoe but also cementing Aimé Leon Dore as a collaborative force to be reckoned with.
Conversely, RIMOWA has been slowly upping its collaboration game, working with A Bathing Ape between 2008 and 2010 before moving into collections with Porsche, Fendi, Aesop and Off-White. Perhaps the most similar release in nature was the brand’s SS20 collection directed by Dior chief Kim Jones. For this campaign, RIMOWA created a three-size trolley set and Personal Case metal bags with leather straps, all of which were decorated with the Dior Oblique motif. This time around, Aimé Leon Dore might be playing things a little less brand-heavy, but it could certainly pay off in the long run.
The RIMOWA x Aimé Leon Dore collection features two key pieces that will be available in stores and at RIMOWA’s online boutique. The Chest is priced at €3,200, while the Cabin is priced at €2,200.
