Clever boots: RM Williams open their first New York City boutique
Famed for its hardworking Chelsea boots and other finely crafted leather goods, the iconic company RM Williams has been a bastion of Australian heritage and identity since its founding in 1932. Renowned for producing durable footwear made from single pieces of leather, a concept that was developed by it eponymous founder to suit the lifestyles of pioneers dwelling in the Aussie outback, the brand has now upped sticks and opened its first boutique in New York City.
Located in Soho, the airy boutique has been conceived by the retail design agency e2 and Mika Utzon Popov, a sculptor/draftsman/printmaker and grandson of Jorn Utzon, the architect behind the Sydney Opera House. Inspired by the natural light in the outback, Popov has created a site-specific sculpture that evokes an aerial view of the country’s indigenous landscape. Using hand tools similar to those traditionally used to create the brand’s wares, the sculptural wall feature serves as a dramatic focal point in the space.
Overall, the boutique has been designed to resemble the heritage wool sheds more commonly found in the Aussie countryside. A timber storefront and long, copper-plated display tables bring a rustic feel to the interior, which is enhanced even more by a steel framework for hanging and showcasing products, much like traditional stockyard fencing. Leather wall panels and a special flooring treatment that emulates the outback’s red earth complete the evocative picture.
The store will not only be home to R.M. Williams’ signature pieces such as boots, including men’s and women’s winter boots, belts and accessories, but it will also offer the label’s new bespoke service, which allows customers to create their own unique boots.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the RM Williams website
ADDRESS
152 Spring Street, New York
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.
-
Design Dynasties: the powerhouse families of Italian furnishing
We profile the powerhouse families of Italian furnishing, uncovering the secrets of their legacies and stamina
By Laura May Todd Published
-
Hyundai and Vitra Design Museum explore plastic's past, present and future in new exhibition
Currently on show at Hyundai Motorstudio Busan, an exhibition collaboration with the Vitra Design Museum puts the past, present and future of plastic in the spotlight
By Jens H Jensen Published
-
A new Texas house transforms a sloping plot into a multi-layered family home
The Griggs Residence is a Texas house that shields its interior world and spacious terraces with a stone and steel façade
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
‘There are no shortcuts’: Ten years of Hereu, the cult Spanish shoe brand where craft is front and centre
Dal Chodha visits Barcelona-based shoe and accessory brand Hereu as it reaches a milestone decade in business
By Dal Chodha Published
-
Inside John Lobb’s sumptuous new Kyoto store, housed in a traditional wooden ‘machiya’
John Lobb’s inviting new Teruhiro Yanagihara-designed Kyoto store is introduced with a series of images starring lauded Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda
By Jack Moss Published
-
‘Sensuous physicality’: Issey Miyake reveals barefoot sneaker collaboration with New Balance
The Issey Miyake x New Balance MT10O is based on minimalist running sneakers from the 2010s, designed to replicate the feeling of running barefoot
By Jack Moss Published
-
These gravity-defying Santoni heels are a sculptural wonder
A closer look at Santoni’s Victoria pumps, which are defined by the architectural rigour of their gently slanted heels – an ode to the heritage footwear brand’s roots in Le Marche, Italy
By Jack Moss Published
-
John Lobb’s ‘Cannon’ sneakers are an exercise in minimal design
John Lobb’s sleek ‘Cannon’ sneakers continue the British heritage shoemaker’s foray into sportier terrain – crafted with all the precision of its classic styles
By Jack Moss Published
-
These innovative Dior shoes bridge past, present and future
Inspired by an ornate Dior pump from 1962, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s just-released ‘62-22’ shoes give the classic design a futuristic update. Watch how they are made in this special short film
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Superga’s ‘Artifact’ collection celebrates over 100 years of craft
Designed by Teppei Sugaya, the ‘Artifact’ collection by Superga explores the Italian shoe brand’s historic archive, with each launch arriving with a film celebrating artisans and hand-craft around the world
By Martha Elliott Last updated
-
Givenchy’s TK-360 ‘single-knit’ sneaker provides a contemporary approach to savoir-faire
Photographed on a sculptural artwork by British artist Ewan Macfarlane, the TK-360 sneaker by Matthew M Williams encapsulates the designer’s contemporary approach to Givenchy’s historic association with savoir-faire and craft
By Jack Moss Last updated