German luxury brand Rimowa takes creativity to great heights with these cutting-edge metaverse techniques

From Germany to the metaverse, RIMOWA explores new realms with RTFKT.

Faithful to its culture of innovation, the German house Rimowa continues its avant-garde itinerary, teaming up with RTFKT to merge the worlds of physical and digital craftsmanship.

This latest collaboration connects with both Web3 enthusiasts and RIMOWA aficionados, featuring an NFT collection, a limited-edition suitcase, and a collectors edition of RTFKT x RIMOWA WorkerBot collectibles, creating a captivating metaverse experience. Combining time-honored German craftsmanship and cutting-edge metaverse techniques, the RIMOWA x RTFKT Original Cabin suitcase is being forged in a limited edition of 888 pieces, a number symbolizing luck in the crypto community.

“This is a space that takes creativity and collaboration to great heights and offers new ways to engage with different audiences,” says RIMOWA chief marketing officer Emelie De Vitis. Benoit Pagotto, co-founder of RTFKT, commented that working with RIMOWA was a chance for the team to put amazing immense passion into a project and really push boundaries.

Launched on October 27, the collaboration kicked off with an interactive campaign during which the crypto community was invited to solve challenges to uncover a hacked RIMOWA x RTFKT space station. They needed to reactivate the station in order to mint their limited edition NFTs and experienced a new demonstration of 3D e-commerce. This will be followed in the coming months by an exclusive digital event where NFT holders can forged will forge their NFTs asset to redeem a physical version of the suitcase.

RTFKT is a creator-led organization, forming the blueprint of a Brand of the Future. Powered by a community of collectors, investors, artists, gamers, and fans — led by Benoit Pagotto, Steven Vasilev (aka Zaptio) and Chris Le. RTFKT uses the latest in game engines, NFT, blockchain authentication and augmented reality, combined with manufacturing expertise to Merge Worlds creating Avatars, next Gen Sneakers and Collectibles for the Metaverse.

This collaboration underlines RIMOWA’s forward-facing ethos of blending a heritage of artisanal craftsmanship with the precision of modern technology.

Rimowa x adidas

The German luxury brand is also introducing the first collection from RIMOWA and adidas, created and made exclusively in Germany by the two iconic labels for thoughtful explorers around the globe.

Exclusively made in Germany, the cross-category collection features two contemporary designs: RIMOWA’s first-ever aluminium backpack and the ADIDAS NMD_S1 sneaker. Undeniably utilitarian in its design, the collection takes on a colour palette of khaki and a lustrous shade of titanium. The outdoor-inspired pieces are complete with orange accents.

Inspired by a renewed need to look for fulfilment in new places, the collection was created for urban explorers seeking to meaningfully reconnect with natural landscapes. The RIMOWA x ADIDAS NMD_BACKPACK boasts new technical solutions that makes it suitable for outdoor needs and overnight trips. Made from RIMOWA’s signature grooved aluminium, it features a number of thoughtful functionalities, from padded utility shoulder straps fitted with a carabin and thumb loops to rope weight-bearing straps and grab handle. The piece also features foam ridges inspired by ADIDAS Boost foam overlaying the backpack’s grooved surface to ensure comfort, as well as an elasticated webbing running through its middle to secure the backpack onto the suitcase’s telescopic tubes. To allow for flat packing, a detachable gusset opens the backpack to reveal two deep zipped pockets, as well as a 16-inch laptop pocket inscribed with both brands’ logos.

Specially crafted for thoughtful explorers, the ADIDAS NMD_S1 is a modern lifestyle shoe that keeps movement as its mantra. The RIMOWA x ADIDAS NMD_S1 iteration features the futuristic sneaker’s signature Primeknit uppers in a titanium-inspired colourway, with the flexible ADIDAS Boost midsole in a light, almost translucent base colour. On the shoe’s midsole, wearers will find the coordinates of the brands’ respective headquarters in Germany, as well as a ‘Made in Germany’ imprint that signifies the momentous partnership. NMD shoelaces in the same shade of orange complete the design.