Nike Air Force 1 Hardshell Luggage.

 

Nike has increasingly become a luxury brand in the sportswear sphere based upon the vertiginous prices it asks for its sneakers and clothing.  After all, when charging £250.00 at retail for running shoes such as the Vomero Premium when a de facto luxury brand such as Paul Smith charges £175.00 means you're firmly  entering the luxury realm. The latest example of this being Air Force 1 trainer themed hard shell luggage. 

This is the first time Nike have made luggage beyond gym bags and backpacks.  Which makes sense, as before their luxury pivot they were strictly a sporting brand.  The new pieces are available in black, and are made from polycarbonate, with one side having a Nike logo, and the other side showing the Nike Air Force 1 sole design.  The prices also display the direction the brand is moving in, with cabin and long haul versions costing £300 and £350 respectively.

In our view this is yet another demonstration Nike is shifting towards the luxury segment as it's simply another step luxury producers usually take of releasing multiple product ranges to capitalise on consumers as much as possible.  This is an unfortunate by-product of the general un-affordability of what previously would have been considered everyday items such as sportswear.  If the streetwear culture is considered, we see very casual clothing and sportswear.  However, this stems from this being previously affordable, and the people who wore that bought and styled it in a way that became desirable because that's all they could afford.  Yet in a world where only the wealthy can afford even everyday luxuries, and various factors are increasing supply chain costs, brands have little choice but to go upmarket to survive.  

Loro Piana Skiwear Capsule Begs the Question How Much is Too Much?

It's fair to say the Skiing is a luxury pursuit.  The entire practice of reaching a destination where one can engage in it is expensive, and these simply aren't destinations that you can idle without accommodation.  Sub zero temperatures kill, meaning that has to be factored in.  Furthermore, the equipment to take part in the active element of it is expensive.  Ski's, goggles, clothing.  The short point is, this is expensive stuff.

The question is however, how much is too much?  With Loro Piana to the rescue with an attempt to bravely answer precisely that question.  If anyone though Moncler's £1,300.00 salopette's were simply too cheap, or even that Cucinelli's £1,600.00 ones can't be taken seriously at that price, Loro Piana has a version now for £5,060.00.

The eye-watering prices don't stop there however, ski jackets from £5,650.00, gloves from £745.00, and ski helmets, a pure safety piece costing £400.00 even from high-end brands such as Porsche Design here retail for £2,245.00.

Some might say that if these prices make you wince, then it's not for you, and those people likely work for Loro Piana.  It's one thing to charge thousands for fine cashmere and vicuna garments, made from materials that are scarce, and difficult to obtain.  Whether that scarcity has been artificially created by monopolising a supply chain is frankly somewhat irrelevant, it still applies.  However, what's happening here is just pure over-inflation and speculation.

There is nothing but the Loro Piana branding to distinguish these cotton, nylon and polycarbonate items of functional skiwear from any from other brands.  In our view, rather than being for the Gstaad set, these should and would have those very types smirking quietly to themselves and looking away.  Because while marketing hype would have you believe that the truly wealthy utterly disregard the price of luxury goods, this isn't correct.  Even in the rarefied atmosphere of the Eagle Club and other environs a rat can easily be smelled, and in fact, a fool who has been parted from their money is far more easily spotted.  

Aviteur Brand Goes From Strength to Strength in Travel Luggage.

 

We like deserved success stories, and in our view, Aviteur fits the bill.  Helmed by Patricia Gucci, of the Gucci family, the company has been producing high quality cabin luggage for the past few years, and in a crowded marketplace, it presents an alternative of sorts.

The four wheeled luggage is clad in supple leather, and covered in a woven pattern not unlike Bottega, but different enough to make it stand out.  

The touch which really makes these stand out from competitors is the lucite extending handle.  This affords them a feeling they are 'gliding' as they move along, an arresting image, and one which is quite striking.  

We have to leave room for the possibility that Ms Gucci is merely a figurehead, and has no connection to the output, and this I just a clever marketing stunt.  That works only in so far as the products, and here, they pass muster.  

The original cabin luggage that set the ball rolling retails from £6,153.00, and they have recently expanded their range to include small leather goods and other luggage pieces.  We hope they succeed, and aren't purchased by LVMH leading to them being stripped of everything that makes them special. 

 

RIMOWA Vitra Collection.

Another day, another collaboration.  This time it's Vitra and Rimowa.  Seemingly odd bedfellows, as one makes furniture and home interiors, and the other makes luggage.  However, to reconcile this the collaboration has produced a piece of luggage, which is also furniture.  And a toolbox.

The main attraction is of course the stool.  Made from Rimow'a aluminium, with a snazzy interior, and soft cushion on the top, it attempts to fundamentally address that age old problem, not having anywhere to sit, and wanting to sit on your luggage.  This may sound flippant, but it's a reality.  We have lost track of the amounts of time when travelling and using Rimowa luggage that we have slumped down, turned the case on the side, and used it as a stool.  This simply adds a cushion to that arrangement.

The problem with this however is that in our experience the luggage buckles under our weight.  This might be an us problem, but we do wonder the practicality given our experience of selling luggage as a seating solution.  It's also not very large, being 47cm x 39cm x 40cm, which makes its capacity limited, but too large to put in some carry on's, doubly making its utility questionable.  

It's available now for £2,200, but we would caution sitting on it.  As for the toolbox, it's merely the classic Vitra toolbox in Rimowa's aluminium.  Oh and there's a set of stickers too, but no-one cares about those.

Bottega Veneta Release Uninspired Odyssey Cabin Luggage.

 

All brands seem to want to cover every possible product category, to have as broad as possible appeal, and capitalise on possible profits.  Bottega Veneta's new attempt at hard-sided luggage is yet another demonstration that "stay-in-your-lane" isn't an insult, or an attempt to diminish, but rather, it's a prescription to avoid ridicule.

Bottega Veneta are known for high quality leather, with a complicated woven pattern, called "intrecaiatto", Italian for intricate.  For their hard sided luggage they've made a black plastic case, with a vague attempt to recreate this woven pattern.  We think it's a failure.  Indeed, we go futhrt than this, it is in fact not an appealing prospect.  It's very small, at just 21.5" x 13.8" x 8.3", with only a 7lb capacity, meaning it can barely carry a couple of outfits.  It also costs £2,300.

For just £300 more you can purchase Bottega Veneta's Weekender in canvas and genuine leather, with considerably more carrying capacity.  Alternatively, you can pick up two Rimowa Aluminium carry on's with double the capacity. 

We suggest this offering looks cheap, and poorly put together. The wheels and locks for example look like throwaway luggage you would buy when the check in desk say you\re overweight and you need an emergency buy.  It's  also heavier than most cabin luggage on the market, such as the aforementioned Rimowa Aluminium luggage weighing 3.1kg against the 3.2kg of this, and is woefully overpriced.  If It weren't already available for pre-order we would say it's another attention getter.  An intentionally bad product to get tongues wagging.  But it's not, and we suggest avoiding it.

Rimowa Aluminum Luggage Now Comes in Green.

 

Rimowa seems to be running out of ideas, because their latest announcement is the same old product, in a new colour.

That's pretty much it really, no new features, and nothing that makes this stand out above existing products other than being in green.  Although it's only the exterior, the interiors the same old colour of dark grey.

This probably comes from the ceaseless desire for growth and innovation, and the requirement to do something 'new' for stock prices to increase, however, as is often the case, this is merely the appearance of the new, when actually offering nothing.  Because lets be frank, this is just a new colour.

Available now from Rimowa at the same prices as the current line up, which is at least something.

Loro Piana Dip Their Toe Back in the Water of Sunglasses With Ski Goggles, Still no N.P.E.L.P

 

We have long written about Loro Piana's flirtation with having a Sunglasses collection.  From their stunning launch of a world first ultra-thin lens with  N.P.E.L.P lenses made from rare-earth minerals way back in 2011, to them gradually phasing out the N.P.E.L.P lenses, and discontinuing all types in 2022.  It's therefore surprising to see them attempt some sort of eye-protection once again, with a new pair of ski goggles.

Coming in at £855, with changeable lenses, Loro Piana appear to be making progress, as these are only 6 times more expensive than for example, a pair of Oakley ski goggles.  A huge improvement from their Loro Piana plastic frisbee which proudly declared it being manufactured from plastic, costing 175 times that of a comparable non-branded version.

However it's not all sunshine and rainbows.  The new Loro Piana Ski goggle appear to have no UV coating.  There is no mention of it on their website page for the product, and doesn't appear to be mentioned anywhere else either, by way of press release or sycophantically enthusiastic articles.

This is rather problematic.  According to the American Cente for Disease and Control, an absence of UV protection while on snow can lead to serous health concerns, as a result of the altitude, and sheer expanse of blinding whiteness.

It seems then that Loro Piana have outdone themselves here then, creating a product which is not onl;y overpriced, but also dangerous.  Unless we're incorrect and it does have UV protection, in which case they're merely overpriced, and ugly.

Rimowa Miss Entire Point Of Their Luggage with Distinct Leather Luggage.

Someone really needs to sit down and have a chat with the design team at Rimowa, because they have completely missed the purpose of their core brand identity, and are now veering off into some serioualy odd territory.  

It started with the launch of their range of soft bags, and we thought they had course corrected by creating leather luggage harnesses that go round hard-sided luggage, therefore giving much needed additional capacity.  However, we were wrong, they have doubled down and launched leather versions of their hard cabin luggage.

The absolute wrongness of this move is staggering.  Rimowa's brand is hard luggage in aluminium, and maybe polycarbonate.  The entire point is to have hard-wearing bags that can withstand environmental and travel pressures, and which are not made from easily destructible materials.  Rimowa's own website (currently) sets out the history of the brand, and directly refers to the reason for the grooved aluminium luggage being to be resistant to extremes, and stack easily.  Why make a leather bag in the shape of an aluminium one?  It beggars belief how dumb this is.

Perhaps you disagree, and want to pay £2,490 for a leather cabin bag shaped like an aluminium one.  If so, they will be available in both black and navy.  However, we suggest, more fool you.

Rimowa Cabin Luggage Harness

It's not a great secret that we have a low opinion of Rimowa since the reigns of control were handed over to the LVMH family, and more particularly one of the family members of Arnault was placed in control of the firm.  Aside from the taint of nepotism, the new head of the company did nothing other than a bland rebrand to make it look like just another slick LVMH luxury brand.    A few new colours of luggage, Rimowa clearly underperformed, and the princeling was quietly removed, a story we reported on previously.

Surprise surprise, Rimowa is back to being innovative and interesting with the chokehold of incompetence released from it.  They have released what we feel is a genuinely interesting piece.  This luggage harness attaches to cabin luggage to give that "little extra" capacity, and doubles as a slim handheld luggage piece for on the move.

This is a shockingly novel luggage item, and we can't think of anything similar from any other brand.  the ability to add capacity to your luggage without adding a great deal of bulk is groundbreaking, and we are surprised it hasn't been done before.  We expect to see more similar versions as this combines all the best elements of useful accessories.  Stylish, convenient, compact and versatile.

Available now at Rimowa's website for £500.

Goyard Edit Classic tote To Be a Pet Carrier.

 

Goyard have announced they will be modifying their classic tote bag to accommodate for owners carrying small pets.  The alteration to allow for this consists of lopping off the tip, and reinforcing the opening with a strap, in order to allow for small animals to be carried and peek out.  The modification and intended animal for this is small dogs, echoed by the optional pouch in a bone shape.

The odd element of this is that Goyard has a far superior pet carrier in its Hardy PM and even GM, which is bordered with pebbled leather, and has air holes at the side, and a far sturdier construction than the classic tote.  It seems that this new offering is a budget option for consumers, as the price of the modified tote is £1,300 and the pouch is £400, whereas the Hardy PM, the smaller and cheaper of the pre-existing and better pet-carrier, is £2,100 in black Goyardine, with prices increasing dependant on the colour, and £2,800 for the Hardy GM.

In any case, if a simple and less expensive Goyard pet-carrier os what you are in the market for, Goyard's new offering may be for you.

Rimowa Never Still Soft Luggage Collection

 

Following making the classic collection not classic anymore by adding multiple colour choices, Rimowa's next great design choice  is to add soft-luggage collections to it's product selection.

The brand which has only ever been known for one thing, aluminum luggage, is now going to become just another luggage brand, which offers just another selection of products.  It is sad that the new-blood brought in to design and make product ranges that make money for LVMH acquisitions fail to appreciate the DNA of the brands they are working on.  And disappointing that the future vision these short sighted money hungry companies seem to desperately want is every brand offering every product, just with different brand logos on them, but that is where we are and where things are headed.

It's strange in fact to imagine the mindset of people who think like this.  We challenge you to try conceptualise for a moment.  Forget what you know, and cast your mind back to how you perceived LV and Rimowa 30 years ago, what image came to your mind? You probably just thought of a bag, and aluminium luggage right?

Now bring your mind to the present, how do you perceive those two brands today?  When you try thinking of LV your head explodes with the weight of products they sell, in fact, it's a bit like an upmarket luxury Amazon isn't it?  And this is where the owners and investors in these companies want to take things.  Not unique craftsman making high quality luxury goods specialising in one or a few products, but warehouse's selling more expensive versions of everything you can get anywhere else.

The new rage from Rimowa is taking the brand a step towards that dismal future.  The totes and duffels, all the products, they're all, well, fine.  They're Fine.  And that's the problem, high quality, solid, backed by effusive hyperbole from the marketing team and CEO press releases, but they are boring.  And Rimowa just lost a little more of its uniqueness and shine by adding these.

Rimowa "Update" Classic Collection In Black.

 

You might notice the inverted commas around the word update in the title of this entry, that's deliberate.  It's out opinion that this alteration to the the original Rimowa design is a bad one.  In fact, we believe it's quite ludicrous.  

At the risk of sounding conservative, a "classic" is something that should not be altered.  To qualify this, some alterations are beneficial, as to refuse to make changes is very unwise, and can leave, in some cases, products unusable.  The changes should be subtle, and reflect the changing times, an example being the small updates made to the classic collection over the years.  This new change goes far beyond.

By deciding to daub the range in matte black they have turned the meaning of "classic" into nothing but a marketing tool, designed for profit, and in no way attempting to hold true to the values of the brand or any values.  

We were cautiously optimistic when LVMH acquired an 80% stake in Rimowa, and concerned when one of the owners sons was appointed CEO.  It seems that in pursuit of the bottom line, the brand is loosing any sense of what it once was.