Oroton
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Luxury fashion |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Key people | Sophie Holt (Creative Director), David Kesby (CEO) |
| Products | Leather handbags, eyewear, accessories, small leather items, ready-to-wear clothing |
Oroton holds the distinction of being Australia's longest-established luxury fashion enterprise, having been founded in 1938. The brand primarily offers leather handbags designed for both women and men, complemented by eyewear, accessories, small leather items, and a ready-to-wear clothing collection introduced in 2019. Based in Sydney, Oroton manages close to 50 retail outlets and concessions throughout Australia and Malaysia. In 2018, Sophie Holt was appointed as the creative director. The company rose to fame during the 1950s with its launch of interlaced metallic mesh evening bags, a concept originally developed in the United States by Whiting and Davis. Although these distinctive mesh bags remain iconic, Oroton's current emphasis lies on premium leather products. Early versions of the metal mesh items were frequently manufactured in West Germany. While competitors such as Glomesh, Parklane, and Sterling also utilized similar metal mesh craftsmanship, Oroton continues to be the most globally recognized brand in this niche.
History
The origins of Oroton trace back to Boyd Lane & Co Pty Ltd, established by Boyd Lane, which later went public under the name Oroton International in 1987.
In 2000, Oroton expanded its portfolio by acquiring the Morrissey fashion label. Two years afterward, it purchased the Marcs brand for $22.2 million and rebranded itself as OrotonGroup.
By November 2006, OrotonGroup divested Marcs and Morrissey to M. Webster Holdings for $6.3 million.
Confronted with financial difficulties, Oroton entered voluntary administration in November 2017.
A notable increase in sales occurred in April 2018 after Meghan Markle was photographed carrying an Oroton crossbody bag at a prominent royal occasion.
In July 2018, ownership of Oroton returned to private hands when Will Vicars acquired the company, appointing David Kesby as CEO.