R.M. Williams is a renowned Australian brand that specializes in crafting high-quality leather boots, clothing, and accessories. On the other hand, Louis Vuitton is a French fashion house that has made its mark in the luxury industry with its iconic bags, shoes, and fashion accessories. With both brands being popular in their respective markets, it’s no surprise that rumors began circulating about Louis Vuitton’s acquisition of R.
Williams. But does Louis Vuitton really own R. Williams? Let’s find out.
Firstly, it’s important to note that R. Williams was originally founded by Reginald Murray Williams in 1932 as a one-man workshop in Adelaide, Australia. The brand has since grown to become an Australian icon known for its quality craftsmanship and iconic designs.
In 1994, R. Williams was acquired by an investment group led by Ken Cowley, who served as the CEO of the brand until 2013 when he retired at the age of 77. Since then, several ownership changes have occurred.
In October 2019, R. Williams was acquired by L Catterton, a private equity firm co-owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (Louis Vuitton) and Groupe Arnault SAS (Christian Dior).
This led to speculations about whether Louis Vuitton owned R. Williams.
However, it’s important to note that L Catterton is not solely owned by Louis Vuitton but rather is a joint venture between LVMH (which owns Louis Vuitton) and Groupe Arnault SAS (which owns Christian Dior). Therefore, while it’s true that Louis Vuitton has a stake in L Catterton which owns R.
Williams, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Louis Vuitton directly owns R.
It’s also worth mentioning that the acquisition by L Catterton didn’t change much about R. Williams’ operations or management. The brand continues to operate independently and its headquarters remain in Australia.
In conclusion, while Louis Vuitton has a stake in L Catterton which owns R. Williams, it’s not accurate to say that Louis Vuitton directly owns R. The brand remains an Australian icon with a rich history and continues to operate independently under the ownership of L Catterton.
Key Takeaways:
- R. Williams is a renowned Australian brand known for its quality craftsmanship and iconic designs.
- In 2019, R.
Williams was acquired by L Catterton, a private equity firm co-owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (Louis Vuitton) and Groupe Arnault SAS (Christian Dior).
- While Louis Vuitton has a stake in L Catterton, it doesn’t directly own R.
- R. Williams continues to operate independently under the ownership of L Catterton.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while there were rumors about Louis Vuitton’s acquisition of R. Williams, the truth is that Louis Vuitton doesn’t directly own the Australian brand.
Nevertheless, with the backing of L Catterton (which has ties with both LV and Christian Dior), R. Williams is well-positioned for growth and continued success in the luxury market.