We caught up with Thierry Henry, the legendary French professional footballer, coach, pundit and sports broadcaster. He is currently the manager of the France national under-21 and Olympic football teams. Thierry is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, and one of the best players in Premier League history, having played for London giants Arsenal between 1999 and 2007.
The world famous style and sports icon has recently 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.
My favourite holiday destination
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.
My gadget I can’t live without
My new Kabuto suitcase. 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. 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.
My go to fashion brand
I love the cut of a Tom Ford suit as I like the way it fits on my body, 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.
My airline of choice
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.
My guilty pleasure
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.
My favourite way to give back
Playing nationally. 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.
Image credit: Kabuto x Thierry Henry collection
