RIMOWA Explores the Energy of Natural Pigments: Umber and Ultramarine Arrive in the Essential and Groove Collections

Travel and art share an intrinsic bond: both are driven by curiosity, transformation, and the relentless desire to explore new horizons. In its latest seasonal release, German luxury maison RIMOWA delves deep into art history to examine the raw energy of colour. Launching across its renowned Essential suitcase range and the versatile Groove leather collection, the brand introduces two timeless, complementary shades: Umber and Ultramarine.

Starring celebrated English actor Joe Alwyn, the accompanying visual campaign tells the story of an artist stepping into a fresh studio space, transforming an unfamiliar canvas into an intimate world filled with creativity. Rooted in centuries of fine art traditions, this new capsule brings historic pigments into modern mobility, merging high-performance engineering with nuanced design.

The Alchemy of Pigments: Earth Meets Imagination

Colour has always been an emotional conduit in luxury design, but RIMOWA’s selection of Umber and Ultramarine elevates the palette with historical depth. Both pigments boast a pedigree that traces back centuries to classical ateliers and Renaissance masterworks.

Umber: Derived from the Latin word umbra, meaning “shadow,” umber is among the earth’s oldest and most enduring natural mineral pigments. Historically favored by painters as a foundational underlayer to establish warmth, depth, and chiaroscuro, RIMOWA’s rendition of Umber is a luminous, grounded brown. It brings an organic warmth and quiet sophistication to modern luggage.
Ultramarine: Celebrated as one of the most coveted shades in art history, true ultramarine was originally extracted from crushed lapis lazuli imported from distant mines. Revered by Renaissance masters for its hypnotic brilliance and symbolic purity, this velvety, deep blue represents the essence of chromatic alchemy. On the grooved silhouettes of RIMOWA, Ultramarine radiates confidence and visual poise.

Juxtaposed against one another, the two hues create a striking dialogue between terrestrial foundations and creative sky-bound journeys—earth meeting imagination.

Monochromatic Precision: The Essential Collection

Since RIMOWA revolutionized the travel luggage category in 2000 by debuting the world’s first high-tech polycarbonate suitcase, the Essential line has stood as a benchmark for lightweight durability and ergonomic excellence. With the introduction of Umber and Ultramarine, the brand pushes its exacting monochromatic design philosophy to new heights.

Rather than simply tinting the exterior shell, RIMOWA achieves comprehensive colour harmonization throughout every component. The scratch-resistant, grooved polycarbonate body is expertly matched to the:

Stage-free telescopic pull handle
Heavy-duty perimeter zippers
Integrated wheel housings and wheel hubs
Brand logo badge and complimentary leather luggage tag

Beneath the sleek exterior lies the Maison’s German-engineered functionality. The suitcases glide on the signature Multiwheel system, utilizing ball-bearing mounted wheels with cushioned axles for effortless manoeuvrability across busy airport concourses or cobblestone avenues. Security is ensured via integrated, TSA-approved combination locks.

Inside, the dual-organisation layout provides tailored packing efficiency. One side features a fully zippered mesh compartment designed to keep smaller wardrobe essentials secure and visible. The opposing side incorporates RIMOWA’s patented adjustable Flex Divider. Outfitted with an integrated compression strapping system, it can be cinched down precisely to hold garments in place and prevent creasing, allowing frequent flyers to maximize interior volume while maintaining order.

Reflecting confidence in its manufacturing standards, every suitcase in the collection is backed by RIMOWA’s lifetime guarantee.

Daily Mobility: The Groove Leather Collection & Travel Accessories

Beyond the world of checked baggage and overhead cabins, the new seasonal hues permeate RIMOWA’s daily lifestyle offerings. The Groove collection—known for translating RIMOWA’s architectural ridges into fine Italian leather—sees both enduring favorites and new silhouettes reimagined in Umber and Ultramarine.

The Groove Mini Shopping Bag

Debuting as a compact evolution of the original tote silhouette, the Groove Mini Shopping Bag is crafted in Italy from smooth, hard-wearing calfskin embossed with subtle vertical grooves. Accented with high-shine palladium hardware and secured with a discreet magnetic closure, it balances utilitarian elegance with everyday practicality. Featuring dual leather top handles alongside an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap, it transitions seamlessly from a handheld tote to an over-the-shoulder or crossbody bag. It is offered in both Umber and Ultramarine.

Everyday Companions & Organization

For urban navigators seeking hands-free versatility, the Groove Cross-Body Bag Small and the sleek Groove Zipped Pouch arrive in warm Umber calfskin, serving as modular carriers for smartphones, passports, keys, and wallets.

To streamline packing inside the suitcases, RIMOWA introduces travel organizers in rich Ultramarine. The Trifold Toiletry Pouch keeps grooming essentials compartmentalized and easy to hang in hotel bathrooms, while the Packing Cubes (available in Small, Medium, and Large) ensure modular, wrinkle-free wardrobe segregation inside any suitcase shell.

Complete Product Lineup and Pricing

The RIMOWA Umber and Ultramarine collection is available at RIMOWA flagship stores, partner boutiques, and online at RIMOWA.com.

Essential Suitcases

RIMOWA Essential Cabin (Available in Umber or Ultramarine): SGD 1,330
RIMOWA Essential Check-In M (Available in Ultramarine): SGD 1,530
RIMOWA Essential Check-In L (Available in Umber): SGD 1,660
RIMOWA Essential Trunk Plus (Available in Umber or Ultramarine): SGD 2,080

Groove Leather Bags & Small Leather Goods

RIMOWA Groove Mini Shopping Bag (Available in Umber or Ultramarine): SGD 2,250
RIMOWA Groove Cross-Body Bag Small (Available in Umber): SGD 1,600
RIMOWA Groove Zipped Pouch (Available in Umber): SGD 730

Travel Accessories

RIMOWA Trifold Toiletry Pouch (Available in Ultramarine): SGD 380
RIMOWA Packing Cube Small (Available in Ultramarine): SGD 170
RIMOWA Packing Cube Medium (Available in Ultramarine): SGD 190
RIMOWA Packing Cube Large (Available in Ultramarine): SGD 210

By anchoring this capsule in the historic lineage of lapis lazuli and earth pigments, RIMOWA reaffirms that luggage is not merely an instrument of transit, but a personal extension of individual expression and design appreciation. Whether packed for long-haul intercontinental journeys or carried through daily city commutes, Umber and Ultramarine transform travel gear into enduring works of applied art.