Oroton

Oroton
Company typePrivate
ASX: ORL
IndustryRetail
Founded1938
FounderBoyd Lane
HeadquartersSydney
Key people
Sophie Holt Creative Director, Jennifer Child CEO, Will Vicars Owner
ProductsLuxury goods
Websiteoroton.com

Oroton is Australia's oldest luxury fashion company founded in 1938. The company's main product category is leather bags for women and men. The company sells other products such as eyewear, accessories and small leather goods, and launched its ready-to-wear apparel line in 2019.[1] The company is based in Sydney and has close to 50 stores and concessions across Australia and Malaysia. Sophie Holt was appointed creative director in 2018.[2] Oroton revolutionised fashion in Australia in the 1950s by replacing traditional materials used for evening bags with interwoven metallic mesh - a product invented in Australia and commonly known as Glomesh. Oroton is known for its signature mesh evening bags, which are still sold today.[3][non-primary source needed]

History

Oroton started as a private company established by Boyd Lane under the name Boyd Lane & Co Pty Ltd and became a public company under the name Oroton International in 1987.[4]

In 2000, Oroton acquired the Morrissey fashion label.[5] In November 2002, Oroton International purchased the Marcs brand, founded by Mark Keighery, for $22.2 million.[6]

In 2002, the company was renamed the OrotonGroup.

In November 2006, OrotonGroup sold its brands Marcs and Morrissey to M. Webster Holdings for $6.3 million.[7]

In November 2017, Oroton announced it was entering into voluntary administration.[8]

In April 2018, the brand saw a significant increase in sales after Meghan Markle wore an Oroton crossbody bag for an official royal appearance with Prince Harry at London's Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting.[9]

In July 2018, the company was purchased by Will Vicars and re-instated as a private company,[10] with David Kesby appointed as CEO.

References

  1. ^ "Home". oroton.com.
  2. ^ "Ushering in a new era at Oroton: Meet the woman reinventing the Australian label". 30 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Home". oroton.com.au.
  4. ^ "OROTON |". paris-miki.com.au. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  5. ^ McInerney, Sarah (11 February 2009). "Morrissey shuts up shops". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Oroton to pay $22m for Marcs". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 November 2002. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Marcs and Morrissey set for overhaul". Ragtrader. 1 December 2006. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  8. ^ Hyam, Rebecca (30 November 2017). "Luxury brand Oroton latest casualty of Aussie retail carnage". ABC News. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  9. ^ Decker, Megan (19 April 2018). "Meghan Markle May Have Just Saved This Brand From Going Bankrupt". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  10. ^ "OrotonGroup administrators back Will Vicars $25m rescue plan". Australian Financial Review. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
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