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Discover the enduring appeal and meticulous craftsmanship behind the iconic R.M.Williams boot.
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Online purchases can be returned free of charge within 60 days. Read more
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Since 1932, R.M.Williams has been crafting boots to last, employing quality materials and time-honoured skills to make products worthy of their iconic name. Our commitment to enduring quality results in a lifetime of adventures for you and your trusted boots.
Learn more about our quality craftsmanship here.
Artisanal craft from top to toe
With an elegant round toe, low profile and smart casual appeal, the Macquarie has long captivated boot lovers. Discover why this unisex boot - and its artisanal sibling, the Burnished Macquarie - has such a stronghold in the R.M.Williams stable, below. A seven minute read.
Our men’s boots have been worn by women since the very beginning, but the Macquarie was the first specially crafted for unisex wear. Its refined silhouette, round almond toe and easy-to-wear low profile quickly sparked the interest of collectors looking to diversify their R.M.Williams wardrobe and find a complementary sidekick for their beloved Craftsmans. The legend of this timeless boot grew, and before long, its burnished counterpart had stepped confidently into the stable, ready to beguil boot lovers all over again.
Handcrafted in Australia, the Burnished Macquarie boot has a touch of European charm, with the centuries-old secrets of traditional hand-burnishing passed down by an Italian master.
Duilio Girotti spent four weeks in Adelaide working alongside the highly-skilled artisans of R.M.Williams to perfect a bespoke two-tone leather finish that truly reflects such an iconic Australian brand.
“Duilio is a highly-skilled regional Italian shoemaker based just outside of Rome. We were able to take elements of his signature style and combine them with our own world-class Australian craftsmanship to develop a unique finish that brings out the richness and distinctive characteristics of the leather, and remains true to our DNA,” says Head of Footwear Development for R.M.Williams, David Cook.
One of the most popular boots in the hand-burnished collection, the Burnished Macquarie in distinctive shades of Cognac or Bordeaux, is an archive design that builds on the success of the Chinchilla, released in 2016. “While the Chinchilla is handcrafted on the classic Craftsman last with its distinct chisel toe, the Burnished Macquarie is defined by a narrow round toe and flat heel that creates an elegant silhouette suitable for both men and women, translating easily to more formal attire,” David explains. “It’s the perfect balance of versatility and rugged elegance.”
While every R.M.Williams boot passes through at least 80 sets of highly-skilled hands before it is ready to wear, additional steps are taken with burnishing to elevate an unfinished yearling hide into boots that shine with colour and offer a rich patina as unique as the landscape that helped to inspire them. As Master Craftsman Steve Moore explains, artistry and craftsmanship are the hallmarks of the Burnished Macquarie.
“The burnishing process involves a very specific and skilled technique requiring quite a bit of training and patience,” he says. “Watching our most experienced craftspeople applying this organic process to a piece of leather is where the magic really happens.”
Leather stain sourced from Florence is applied by hand and worked and re-worked over time to create an antiqued effect, with particular attention paid to the heel and toe areas to produce a rich patina that’s exclusive to each pair. “The tonal variations ensure that no two pairs are the same,” Steve says. “The Burnished Macquarie is a very specially handcrafted boot that will last a lifetime.”