Australian fashion brand R.M.Williams has launched a new collection made entirely in Australia.
The ‘Crafted in Australia’ collection is comprised of apparel and accessories, including leather boots, leather belts, denim staples and shirts designed using Good Earth Cotton.
R.M.Williams has been manufacturing products in Australia since its inception in 1932.
“It’s a defining principle for us as a business, and our bestselling products are proof of the staying power that comes from crafting things locally, and crafting them well,” an R.M.Williams spokesperson said.
“Looking ahead, we have plans to expand the size and capability of our Adelaide workshop, in order to grow our Australian made offering. We have also begun to offer training programs and accreditations within our iconic workshop to inspire the next generation of artisans and craftspeople.”
The spokesperson added that the globalisation of manufacturing in recent decades a resulted in a decreased capability to craft locally. R.M.Williams is working with creatives and artisans, both internally and externally across Australia, to bridge these gaps.
This includes partnerships with Australian manufacturing companies, offering advanced training opportunities such as apprenticeships and returning Certificate III in Leather to South Australia. R.M.Williams is also exploring opportunities to expand its Salisbury workshop.
“With investment in training opportunities and growing facilities, we hope to see the scope of Australian craftsmanship grow exponentially over the coming years.”
Alongside the collection, R.M.Williams has launched a campaign to highlight local production.
The campaign was shot in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, and features all products in its latest collection. It follows its October 2022 launch of the brand’s ‘Crafting a better future’ strategy, alongside its brand strategy 'Crafted for life'.
“The campaign is a celebration of our legacy of craft in Australia and our continuing commitment to the homegrown excellence we have seen and harnessed across the nation,” the R.M.Williams spokesperson said.
“We firmly believe that Australian craftsmanship has a place in every corner of the modern wardrobe, and our aim with this campaign was to highlight the full outfitting scenarios that are possible within our ever-growing range of Australian made products.”