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.
The company is famed for its hardworking Chelsea boots and other finely crafted leather goods
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
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
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the RM Williams website
ADDRESS
152 Spring Street, New York
Pei-Ru Keh is the US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru has held various titles at Wallpaper* since she joined in 2007. She currently reports on design, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru has taken a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars and actively seeks 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.
-
Inside André Fu’s Hong Kong ‘urban retreat’
Hong Kong-based designer André Fu shares iPhone snaps of his home overlooking Deep Water Bay and tells us of his inspirations, daily rituals and favourite art and design objects
By Rosa Bertoli • Published
-
Scarpetta Rome brings New York flair to classic Italian flavours
Scarpetta Rome is the latest outpost of the classic New York Italian restaurant
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
Laundry list: how to look after your clothes, and make them last longer
A group of experts weigh in on their tips for washing, storing and repairing your clothes to make them last for decades to come
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
-
Loewe’s ‘readymade’ heels give outfits a Surrealist flourish
The head of a rose, a bar of soap, a candle dripping with wax – Loewe’s surreal heels see creative director Jonathan Anderson draw inspiration from artist Man Ray’s ‘readymades’
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
AlphaTauri’s Salzburg HQ is a science fiction fantasy
Browse in-store, buy online: the future-focused mentality of AlphaTauri
By Simon Mills • Last updated
-
Manu Atelier's first boutique nods to Le Corbusier in Istanbul
The cult Istanbul-based label introduces bold, sculptural expressionism into this first bricks and mortar store
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Louis Vuitton's Ginza Namiki flagship evokes a rippling pillar of water
Japanese architect Jun Aoki creates a water-like facade for Louis Vuitton's Ginza Namiki Tokyo flagship
By Danielle Demetriou • Last updated