Rimowa Taps Artist Ptolemy Mann to Reinterpret Its Essential Cabin Suitcase

Adorned with Mann’s distinctive brushstrokes and limited to 1,000 individually-numbered units.

RIMOWA recently introduced new “Gloss Blue” and “Gloss Ginger Yellow” colorways to its Essential Cabin line — carry-on suitcases made of lightweight polycarbonate — and now the brand has tapped British artist Ptolemy Mann to put her twist on the colors. In doing so, Mann has placed the bold brushstrokes and bright tones of her Thresholds artwork series directly on the suitcases’ shell.

The Thresholds ethos is translated via a layered ink print inspired by Mann’s brushstrokes, while the grooved polycarbonate it sits on top of adds a layer of depth both literal and figurative. That’s not all, however, as a blue brushstroke can also be seen on the inside’s flex divider.

Mann and RIMOWA’s collaboration was a fortuitous one. It began when Mann was living in Copenhagen as part of an artist residency program and RIMOWA was looking to the city for color inspiration to use on its 2024 product line. “It was a total coincidence that Rimowa also had been looking to Copenhagen for inspiration for this year’s collection. The inky dark blue water of the canals being interrupted by swimming figures—it’s a city full of water and colorful architecture—which I think comes across in the final result,” the artist said in an interview with Artnet. “The idea of taking an artwork with you when you travel really resonated. I’ve decided to travel with creative intent. Every trip has to be meaningful and considered.”

The Ptolemy Mann x RIMOWA Cabin Threshold is available now via the RIMOWA webstore. It’s priced at $1,450 USD.