Two titans of German engineering just proved that the best collaborations happen when brands refuse to play it safe. Rimowa and Swiss furniture powerhouse Vitra have joined forces to create a two-piece collection that shouldn’t work on paper but looks absolutely stunning, bringing the former’s iconic aluminum aesthetic to a sitting stool and a toolbox. Let’s take a look.
Heritage Meets Innovation
Both brands built their reputations on aluminum mastery, though they took vastly different paths to get there. After a fire destroyed the brand’s other materials in 1937, Rimowa opted for aluminum instead. This evolved into a grooved aesthetic that emerged from aviation’s golden age in the 1950s, transforming the humble travel trunk into an icon of modern mobility. Meanwhile, Vitra’s relationship with aluminum crystallized through the legendary Eames Aluminum Chair, a piece that redefined office seating when it debuted in 1958.
Rolling Storage Redefined
Combining travel mobility with mastery of living spaces, the star of this set is easily the Aluminum Stool. This is essentially a Rimowa suitcase that doubles as seating, looking like someone shrunk their Classic cabin case into a perfect cube. It’s complete with the signature grooved aluminum exterior and Rimowa’s Multiwheel system for moving it around your house (though we’d probably refrain from using it as a carry-on).
Opening up the top lid, you’ll find Vitra’s eco-friendly Laser RE fabric lining and two modular leather dividers that transform this piece into organizational storage. Available in three stylish colors (Emerald Green, Ice Blue, and Papyrus Brown), the detachable cushion on top uses snap buttons for easy removal and cleaning.
No surprise considering the brands in question, the execution here feels expectedly premium. Rimowa handles all aluminum components at their Cologne headquarters, while Vitra’s textile work happens on their architectural-marvel of a campus in Weil am Rhein.
Desktop Luxury
The collection’s second piece takes Arik Levy’s 2010 Vitra Toolbox design and gives it the full Rimowa treatment. What started as a recycled plastic desktop organizer now features Rimowa’s signature anodized aluminum shell and recycled fabric lining, showing how premium materials can elevate even the most utilitarian objects. The Aluminum Toolbox also features the three fabric colors used for the Stool.
While the collaboration succeeds on a conceptual level, these pieces are extremely limited, with only 1,000 stools and 100 toolboxes available worldwide. We expect the high price tag, considering both brand’s premium positioning but we’d love to see a production release of both of these items.
Spec Sheet
Model: Rimowa x Vitra Aluminum Stool & Aluminum Toolbox
Materials: Anodized grooved aluminum exterior, Laser RE recycled polyester lining, Premium F cowhide leather details
Stool Dimensions: 19.3″ x 15.4″ x 15.8″
Stool Weight: 12.6 lbs
Colors: Ice Blue, Papyrus Brown, & Emerald Green
Limited Edition?: Yes, 1,000 stools & 100 toolboxes
Pricing & Availability
The Aluminum Stool retails for $2,700, while the Toolbox is priced at $625. Both pieces launch June 18 at 6:15 PM CET via Rimowa.com and Vitra.com, with the stool becoming available at select Rimowa flagship stores starting June 19. A special installation at Zaha Hadid’s Fire Station on the Vitra Campus will celebrate the launch through June 27.
Recap
Rimowa x Vitra Collection
The home furniture experts at Vitra turned Rimowa’s iconic grooved aluminum luggage into a storage stool for your home and an organization toolbox for your desk. Both items are extremely limited and will come in three colorways.
