Rimowa launches a new short-form series following global talents during milestone moments.
Excellence is in the very DNA of Rimowa. Since its founding in 1898 by Paul Morszeck in Cologne, Germany, the brand has continued to create high-quality trunks and luggage that remain among the pinnacle products available in the market today. Reflecting this commitment to excellence, the house has spent decades collaborating with global talents to tell their stories, exploring how resilience and dedication have helped them master their craft.
Continuing this tradition, Rimowa has launched a new short-form series offering an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at artists during important milestone moments. The first to be featured is Academy Award-winning actress and world cinema superstar Michelle Yeoh, whose recent trip to the 76th Berlin International Film Festival serves as the setting for the inaugural episode.
Michelle Yeoh, Global Icon
The first episode, documented through a series of photographs and films by French-Moroccan filmmaker Otman Qrita, follows Michelle Yeoh as she accepts the festival’s Honorary Golden Bear for a lifetime of outstanding contributions to cinema. Yeoh began her career in action-packed Jackie Chan cop comedies in the 1980s and ’90s, becoming a household name in Hong Kong and across Asia.
She found her international breakout in 1997’s James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. Her martial arts prowess and commitment to performing her own stunts made her a global action icon, though it also risked placing her in a box. Determined to break free from typecasting, Yeoh branched out into prestigious international projects such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), finding success in Hollywood and beyond.
She eventually won the Academy Award in 2022 for her role as Evelyn Wang in the multiverse family comedy-drama Everything Everywhere All at Once, which critics considered a true showcase of her talent and a culmination of her craft on film. Constantly evolving over the decades and remaining as relevant as ever, Yeoh’s career stands as one of the most impressive in Hollywood—something Rimowa recognizes, making her a fitting choice for this project.
“I never imagined that a girl from Malaysia, who loved discipline, dance, [and] dreaming without limits, would travel so far through stories,” shared Yeoh in a statement about receiving the Golden Bear. “My path has crossed languages and cultures, continents and genres. Sometimes gracefully, sometimes a little painfully, but always guided by curiosity and deep faith in cinema.”
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Rimowa For An Icon
In celebration of Yeoh’s victory and momentous career, Rimowa crafted a bespoke case to house her Golden Bear. The piece is crafted with the same meticulous dedication that the brand has been known for since its early beginnings. Symbolically, the case feels as though it’s housing a legacy built on discipline, risk-taking, curiosity, and masterful craft. In many ways, the object is a convergence of two parallel pursuits of excellence: Yeoh’s lifelong commitment to her art and Rimowa’s own enduring devotion to precision and craftsmanship.
Made within the brand’s historic Cologne production house, the bespoke case features Rimowa’s signature anodised grooved aluminium and follows the iconic design codes of the Classic Collection, incorporating its signature leather handle, shiny silver accents, and TSA-approved lock. The brand also included a custom-shaped slot, which secures the Golden Bear in transit while allowing the bespoke piece to double as a display case once Yeoh gets home.
Beyond celebrating remarkable achievements, the series reflects Rimowa’s long-held belief that mastery is a journey defined by unwavering devotion, fortitude, and creativity. Upcoming episodes will continue to capture intimate moments as inspiring talents mark significant milestones in their journeys.
Photos courtesy of Rimowa
