Behind the design of our new collection

The ever-evolving culture of rural Australia is an integral part of R.M.Williams; a constant reminder of the outback origins from which we were born and an inspiration for the world we want to create. Our latest campaign shines a spotlight on our heartland roots, proudly showcasing the trials, tribulations and breathtaking beauties of country living, but it’s not just the images that pay homage to a life lived on the land. The new collection itself is a tribute to the hardy fabrics and silhouettes that have outfitted generations of Australians for a long day’s work.

‘The launch of our “Crafted for life” long term brand strategy gave us a strong focus on endurance and wearability; we needed to explore these hard-wearing fabrics and ensure we were crafting pieces to outfit our customers on great adventures, confident as ever that the clothes on their backs could go the distance.’

Moleskin, corduroy, and denim were soon established as the hero fabrics, each adding a unique texture and a string of user benefits to the collection. Once praised for its ‘snakebite-proof’ toughness, moleskin offered a touch of outback grit, whilst corduroy brought a subtle authenticity to the range. An expanded line-up of Australian made denim styles rounded out the collection, providing a versatile styling foundation for any new season look.

The seasonal colour palette also took inspiration from these hardworking roots, with turn-of-the-century workwear inspiring shades of burgundy and scarlet across the offering for both men and women.

‘We wanted to nod to traditional workwear colourways whilst also refreshing some of these fabrics for a more modern look. Our new corduroy styles in a lighter shade of Bone are a prime example of giving heritage fabrics a new life.’

Bone sits in a line-up of fresh, neutral shades in the first drop of the season, serving as a palette cleanser for those transitioning out of brighter summer colours. Versatile layers in blue and beige hues can pair back effortlessly with warm weather favourites, then carry through to the deeper colours arriving later this year.

‘Easing into the season with neutrals is a great way to get the most out of your favourite summertime pieces. Transeasonal layering becomes a lot easier when we you don’t have to contend with colour clashing, plus these same shades will continue to mix in with a deeper winter palette when temperatures drop.’

The resulting collection is one that speaks to endurance, timeless design, hard-wearing fabrics, and an unwavering spirit of Australian resilience.