The world famous style and sports icon, Thierry Henry, has joined the innovative Parisian luggage house, Kabuto, as a shareholder and co-designed the brand’s next generation of smart suitcases. The Kabuto x Thierry Henry collection aims to revolutionise travel via new patented technology, making the art of packing and arriving at a destination a more premium experience.
Today, 3,000 limited editions of an expandable carry-on and lightweight trunk go on presale exclusively at mykabuto.com/thierryhenry. Having travelled around the world for 30 years due to his successful career in sports and fashion, as well as owning multiple homes across the globe, Thierry’s collection has been inspired by his personal travel experience and understanding of the demands of a jet-set lifestyle.
Alongside Kabuto’s team of in-house inventors and engineers, the global sports star has reimagined the future of suitcases, designed for travellers who want only to be limited by their imagination, not their luggage. Each timeless, black case comes with a suite of high-tech, custom-built features that cater to each and every moment of the travel journey – from the packing, to travelling to a destination, and arriving at the accommodation – and, with a lifetime warranty, the cases are designed to be the only luggage travellers will ever need:
The Kabuto x Thierry Henry Expandable Leather Carry-On: This innovative cabin case can increase its volume by 50% at just a zip and a click, to become the most expandable suitcase in the world. Multiple USB charging ports ensure devices never run out of battery while on the go, and a sleek, detachable wallet allows valuables and vital documents to be carried on person at a moment’s notice. A hideaway shoe compartment keeps shoes protected, and separate from clothing. £495 including postage.
The Kabuto x Thierry Henry Trunk: This lightweight case with leather details and nearly 100L of storage seamlessly transforms into a vertical wardrobe, complete with optional fold-out shelves meaning clothes arrive at their destination exactly the way they were packed – crease-free and ready to wear – and there’s no need to unpack if that’s preferred. £595 including postage.
The full set can be purchased for £995 including postage. Each case incorporates signature custom-designed features:
- Touch-unlock fingerprint technology: Say goodbye to lost keys, forgotten codes and clunky security apps with simple fingerprint recognition to lock and unlock each case with ease when heading to and arriving at a destination.
- Silent, all-terrain wheels: Double ball bearings and rubber tyres make these wheels smooth and quiet so travellers arrive at their destination in style no matter how they get there.
- Self-repairing zips: Broken zips are a thing of the past, simply slide the zipper puller back and forth and the zip will function normally again.
- Four-level telescopic (retractable) handle: The retractable handle has four settings, one more than most standard cases. With the highest setting at 105cm, the tallest on the market, it’s perfect for even the tallest of travellers.
- Lifetime warranty: Kabuto is so confident in its designs, each case comes with a lifetime warranty which is automatically activated with every online purchase.
We spoke to Thierry Henry about the collaboration and his top travel tips;
What is it about the Kabuto that you like so much?
The way you can open and unlock it with your fingerprint for me is game-changing. The world is changing so fast and we don’t necessarily need keys anymore. It is just quicker and nicer to use the fingerprint option.
I also think the fact you can expand the case up to 50 per cent is amazing. You never leave the same way you arrive on holiday. When we travel I always end up bringing more home than we took, either things people have given us to bring home or extra stuff we have bought on our travels. If you buy say ten jumpers abroad you have the choice to add space to your luggage to fit them in.
This design that expands is a first of its kind. To have a luggage that has a fingerprint and is expandable blows me away. I am unsure why nobody has ever thought of it before. The wheels are 360 degrees too so it is easy to take with you and it has no noise.
For a short trip when you travel the luggage is ideal. For example when I went to Paris and my parents bought me a gift it is easy just to pop it in the case. I also love the fact it has a loop so if I want to hang my suit up it does not crease. The clothes are secure and don’t move in the luggage.
What are your top essentials for travel?
Suits because of my work when I need to look smart or have an event to go too. And I love my trainers and T-shirts are a must; I live in them, tracksuits – I live in them too, sunglasses and a cap. Also I don’t travel without a hoodie top because my neck is my soft spot and the air conditioning on a plane blasts my neck so I need to protect it. If I sleep on a plane it is always my neck I have to protect so the air con doesn’t effect it. Unlike my partner who uses all sorts of lotions, I’m not someone who is really in to beauty and skincare products. My favourite product is a toothbrush, plus perhaps some moisturiser to stop my skin from drying.
When it comes to fashion, what style do you like and do you have a favourite designer?
I love the cut of a Tom Ford suit as I like the way it fits on my body.
What is the favourite country you have visited?
I would have to say I have travelled twice to Rio and that is my favourite place. Unlike big towns, Rio has it all. I like the fact everyone in Brazil listens to samba, eats the same food and the connection is all the same. Rio is always such an eye opener to me as there are very few countries that have a sense of community in the way Rio does.
Did you travel much as a kid?
One of my earliest memories of travelling abroad was when I was playing for the French national team and we visited Faro in Portugal. I must have been around 16 years old at the time and remember being really excited to represent my country. And then my career took me to Monaco and Italy when I was around 16/17 years of age.
And what about travelling with your family? Do you have a favourite family destination?
When it comes to travelling with my family, my four kids are lucky they have the opportunity to travel as their childhood is so different to what mine was. My travel consisted of visiting friends in my neighbourhood. I couldn’t afford to travel. People think I grew up in Paris but I didn’t; I grew up in the suburbs of the city in a place called Les Ulis. Occasionally my mum would take me in to Paris and I thought it was beautiful and I have memories of her going to a bargain clothes shop where she would buy things really cheaply.
Now my kids are so funny as they think going to the Maldives is all right. They are of the opinion okay we have seen that before but still I try to ensure they know it is not normal to travel as much as they do and I want them to appreciate everything. To enjoy nature with my family is so lovely, it is a different type of holiday than going to the mountains. I love the more laid back vibe being isolated on an island, running and reading and just connecting as a family.
When we go on a family holiday we tend to be dictated by the kids but most of the time stay in a hotel or rent a villa.
Those moments are special moments as it makes me appreciate how far I have come. To explore different cultures and religions is a very meaningful thing. The one country I would love to visit is Australia as I never had a chance to go there as there was never enough time to do so during my football career because of the distance and getting over the jetlag.
I’m proud of being French but I call myself a Londoner.
Kabuto’s products are designed with a creative and adventurous “Dare to Expand” spirit, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible so travellers will never be limited by luggage again.
