Like almost every other brand in the LVMH portfolio, Rimowa tends to do multiple collaborations a year. They’ve ranged from fashion brands the likes of Fendi and Dior to cult streetwear names such as Supreme and Anti Social Social Club.
Rimowa’s collaborations have almost exclusively revolved around its luggage and travel-friendly accessories. For the first time ever, it’s branching out into the sneaker arena with an upcoming collaboration with adidas Originals.
It’s a marriage of two iconic German brands belonging to two different spaces. The Rimowa x adidas Originals collaboration is conceptualised as a capsule collection designed to provide the tools to navigate and escape today’s cities. It’s little wonder then that sneakers are one-half of the two-piece collaboration.
Instead of opting to reimagine a classic adidas silhouette — let’s face it, there are only so many iterations of the Stan Smiths and Superstars the world could do with — Rimowa and adidas Originals have decided on the NMD S1. It’s a relatively new model that was first introduced in 2021 and is a heftier-soled version of the original NMD. In other words: the perfect all-terrain city sneaker that is also no slouch in the style department.
The Rimowa x adidas NMD_S1 stays true to its Primeknit upper construction but rendered in the collaboration’s titanium-inspired colourway that’s trimmed with bold orange accents. The adidas Boost midsole is kept light with an almost translucent base and the sneaker is then topped off with graphics that commemorate the collaboration between the two German giants — coordinates of each brand’s headquarters in Germany right at the midsole, a ‘Made in Germany’ stamp printed on the insole, as well as the Rimowa logo at the heel tab.
The other half of Rimowa x adidas Originals is another first. The Rimowa x adidas NMD_BACKPACK is crafted from the former’s signature grooved aluminium and is essentially an aluminium Rimowa luggage that’s been transformed into a backpack. It’s secured right at the top with the brand’s typical TSA-approved lock and opens up flat like a luggage.
What’s exceptional about the Rimowa’s first aluminium backpack is its thoughtful functionality. The shoulder straps are padded and equipped with a carabiner and fitted with a weight-bearing rope top handle. The back of the backpack is also lined with adidas’ Boost foam for added comfort when worn on one’s back. An elasticated webbing too runs through the middle of the backpack so that it can be easily secured to the telescopic handles of a Rimowa luggage. Brilliant.
Rimowa has been steadily expanding its product line, positioning it beyond just a luxury travel brand. With Rimowa x adidas Originals, it’s reiterating this evolution with products designed for exploration — be it in one’s own city or a new place altogether.
The Rimowa x adidas Originals collaboration is scheduled to drop in limited quantities on 17 November 2022 in Rimowa boutiques, adidas stores as well as online on rimowa.com and adidas.com.
