We interviewed Thierry Henry, the legendary French professional footballer, coach, commentator and sportscaster, who currently manages the France U-21 and Olympic football teams. Thierry played for London powerhouse Arsenal from 1999-2007 and is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time and one of the best players in the history of the Premier League.
The world-renowned fashion and sports icon recently became a shareholder in innovative Parisian luggage house Kabuto and co-designed the brand’s next generation smart suitcase. The Kabuto x Thierry Henry collection aims to revolutionize travel with new patented technology, making the art of packing and arriving at your destination a more premium experience.
My favourite holiday destination
I’ve traveled to Rio twice and it’s my favorite place. Unlike big cities, Rio has it all. I love the fact that in Brazil, everyone listens to samba, eats the same food, and is connected in the same way. Very few countries have the sense of community that Rio has, so it’s always been an eye-opener for me.
A gadget that I can’t live without
My new Kabuto suitcase. Being able to open/unlock it with my fingerprint is a game changer for me. The world is changing so fast that keys are no longer needed. It’s faster and more convenient to use the fingerprint option. This expandable design is the first of its kind. It’s amazing that there’s a suitcase that can be expanded with your fingerprint. I don’t know why no one thought of this before.
My favourite fashion brand
I love the cut of Tom Ford suits, I love how they fit me, especially when I need to look smart for work or when I have to attend an event. I also love sneakers, and a T-shirt is a must, I wear one all the time, and a tracksuit. Sunglasses and a cap are also essentials.
My airline of choice
As for family travel, my four children are lucky to have the opportunity to travel. Their childhood was very different from mine. My travels were limited to visiting friends in the neighborhood. I couldn’t afford to travel. People think I grew up in Paris, but I didn’t. I grew up in a place called Les Ulis, just outside of Paris. My mom would take me there sometimes, and I thought it was beautiful, and I remember my mom going to bargain clothing stores and buying things really cheap.
My hidden pleasure
It’s so nice to enjoy nature with my family and it’s a different type of vacation than going to the mountains. I love the more laid back atmosphere of being isolated on an island, running, reading and catching up with my family.
My favorite way to give back
To play domestically. One of my first memories of traveling abroad was visiting Faro in Portugal when I was playing for the French national team. I must have been around 16 at the time and I remember being so excited to represent my country. Then, when I was around 16 or 17, I got to play for Monaco and Italy.
Image credit: Kabuto x Thierry Henry collection
