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Inside Yerin Ha’s Rimowa Groove Bag
“What does my bag say about me? I think it says I try to take care of my mental and physical health – and I travel a lot.” Australian actor Yerin Ha is perched on a colourful sofa in a penthouse suite at the Ham Yard Hotel in London as she gives British Vogue a look at what’s in her bag. “This is a deep dive into my life,” she muses, “a real insight into how I operate,” as she begins to pull out an eclectic menagerie of items from her Rimowa Groove Cross-Body bag, perfectly of the moment in sleek burgundy leather.
An iPhone, a pair of well-used sunglasses, propolis spray and a select few beauty must-haves feel pretty standard for an actor on the cusp of global stardom, but Wally the whale – crocheted by her mum – and a worry worm, a gift from her costar Claudia Jessie, are indicative of a mindful soul. Wally conjures feelings of connection to home. “I feel supported from afar,” she says, while the worry worm was “gifted to me to fiddle with on set. It’s a reminder of how a small gesture can go a long way.”
The bag itself is befitting of a globe-trotting actor. The German brand, known for its iconic aluminium luggage, organically extends its DNA into an elegant collection of luxury leather soft-shell bags. The versatile offering celebrates the maison’s signature design codes while keeping the spirit of movement and mobility at its heart. The Groove collection is a bold foray into premium leather goods, offering structure without weight – perfect for Ha’s bulkier but beloved items, such as her camera. “I travel to a lot of places. Photos are really important and I take my camera everywhere. Photos are a timestamp of the cities I’m in, who I’m with, the food I’m eating. It’s a visual diary. Do I have any outrageous photos? Maybe…”
The Groove collection features four distinct and practical styles, each offering options in size and carrying preference: the Shopping bag, the Hobo bag, the Cross-Body large bag and the Cross-Body small bag – Ha’s design of choice. With its bold, familiar-feeling groove pattern and suitcase-inspired shape, each design is carefully crafted in Italy and features the Rimowa logo in relief, as well as a custom riveted interior plate. The larger Shopping and Hobo bags feature a removable pouch, spacious interior pockets and a handle design that allows the bags to be secured to any Rimowa suitcase, while the Cross-Body options feature spacious compartments and a wide zip opening – a must for easy packing of all of Ha’s cool-girl-on-the-go essentials.
And while the four distinct designs in the Groove collection offer a considered form-to-function purpose: the Hobo bag for relaxed over-the-shoulder ease or the Shopping bag for, well, shopping (but also big enough for a laptop), all of the pieces celebrate the refined craftsmanship Rimowa is renowned for. Each bag has been designed to keep pace with modern life, championing everyday journeys.
Colour plays a subtle but significant role. Black anchors the collection as a permanent classic, while silver, available this season, nods directly to Rimowa’s aluminium heritage. Colours have been cleverly developed to complement the brand’s suitcase offering and, as the collection grows, new colourways will launch soon. Dynamic seasonal hues of pink, burgundy and green appear on the Cross-Body small bag, offering a playful injection of colour. Ha’s journal, which she travels with wherever she goes, is serendipitously matching in burgundy. “I’m a crazy person who writes every day,” she says. “This is a sacred, sacred book. I look back and realise how dramatic a person I am. But it’s nice to remember.” And as British Vogue wraps up with Ha, she tantalisingly reveals, “You guys are going in my diary today, absolutely.”
