Australian bootmaker R.M.Williams today opens its London flagship at 108 Jermyn Street, marking a considered arrival on one of the world’s most established streets for heritage menswear.
The flagship presents 73 boot styles, the largest collection of R.M.Williams boots anywhere in the world, bringing together heritage designs, contemporary variations and exclusive flagship offerings. It is the most comprehensive expression of the brand’s bootmaking expertise to date.
Founded in Australia in 1932, R.M.Williams built its reputation on utility, durability and honest craftsmanship, most notably its iconic single-piece leather boot, cut from one piece of leather for strength, longevity and repair. The Jermyn Street flagship brings that philosophy into a British context that understands precision, heritage and permanence.
Designed as a crafted space, the store reflects the same principles as the product it houses. Architecture has been led by Benjamin Stafford of ACRD, the Melbourne-based practice recognised for material restraint and clarity. Timber design and furniture have been developed in close collaboration with Sebastian Cox, the London-based furniture maker and Royal Designer for Industry, whose work is grounded in British timber, sustainability and material honesty.
Product and Archive
The flagship houses the full men’s and women’s footwear range, leather goods and accessories, alongside selected apparel tailored to the UK climate. Signature services include expert boot fitting, leather personalisation and long-term care.
Archival elements drawn from the brand’s 94-year history sit alongside product, including boots dating back to the 1940s, original wooden lasts bearing handwritten customer names, and historic pull tugs produced to mark significant moments such as the Paralympics and the brand’s 90th anniversary.
R.M.Williams UK Expansion
The London flagship forms part of R.M.Williams’ broader UK expansion, which has gathered momentum despite a challenging global retail environment. The brand has recorded three consecutive years of double digit growth in the UK and will operate eight stores across the country by mid April, following the opening of four new stores within a 12 month period.
Alongside London, recent openings in Bath and Edinburgh and the forthcoming Guildford store reflect a measured, long term approach to growth. UK turnover is expected to exceed £15 million in 2026.
The UK expansion follows the brand’s return to Australian ownership in 2020, when Dr Andrew Forrest AO and Nicola Forrest AO acquired the business through their private investment group, Tattarang. Since then, the focus has been on strengthening and scaling the business in Australia, laying the groundwork for disciplined international growth.
Celebrating the Craftsman
The opening coincides with R.M.Williams’ global Timeless Craftsman campaign, reflected in the flagship’s window installation.
At its centre is the Craftsman boot, introduced in the mid-20th century and still in continuous production more than 60 years later. Each pair is handcrafted in Adelaide, South Australia, passing through 88 pairs of skilled hands, a process that continues unchanged today.
Architecture, Timber and Detail
The Jermyn Street flagship has been designed with a clear focus on simplicity and material integrity.
A single continuous timber join runs through the interior, forming the structural and visual spine of the store. It offers a quiet reference to the R.M.Williams boot itself, cut from one piece of leather and resolved with a single stitch.
Around this, timber and proportion are used with restraint to guide movement through the space and keep attention on the product. Joinery is precise and purposeful rather than decorative, creating rhythm and clarity without visual noise.
The result is an interior that feels resolved and enduring, supporting the boots without distraction and allowing craftsmanship to remain the focus.
Australian Landscape and Making
A rug by Jenny Jones, inspired by aerial views of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, anchors the centre of the store, referencing land, endurance and environment.
A commissioned artwork by Tiarna Herczeg, a proud First Nations and Hungarian artist born and raised in Dharug Country, acknowledges the cultural depth of Australian making.
Suspended in a street facing alcove is a Rakumba “Big Glow” pendant designed by Studio Truly Truly, crafted in Victoria from Australian wool and plant based fibre.
The store also features bespoke woven leather work by London based textile artist Aiveen Daly, subtly referencing R.M.Williams’ long history of leather plaiting and connecting British textile practice with Australian leather craftsmanship.
Quotes attributable to John Hartman, Chief Executive Officer, Tattarang
“When Tattarang acquired R.M.Williams, the priority was to strengthen and scale the brand in Australia before expanding internationally. The UK flagship is a result of that work. We’re proud to take what has been built and proven in Australia and share it with customers globally as the next exciting phase of R.M.Williams’ growth.”
Quotes attributable to Paul Grosmann, Chief Executive Officer, R.M.Williams
“This flagship allows us to show the full depth of what R.M.Williams does best. From the breadth of our boot offering to the level of service in store, Jermyn Street gives us the space to present our craftsmanship at its highest standard and meet the expectations of a very discerning customer.”
Quotes attributable to Karl Wederell, General Manager UK, R.M.Williams
“This store represents a meaningful step for us in the UK. Jermyn Street is synonymous with heritage, integrity and craftsmanship — qualities that have defined R.M.Williams since 1932. To open our London flagship here feels less like expansion and more like a natural alignment of values. We are proud to bring a piece of Australia’s craft tradition to a street that understands and respects longevity.”
