Gina Rinehart snaps up another iconic Aussie brand
Not long after being crowned The Australian Financial Review’s (AFR) Business Person of the Year, Gina Rinehart has made another big move in the fashion industry.
The mining magnate has purchased heritage shoe brand Rossi Boots, which has been operating since 1910, as part of her “commitment to preserving iconic national brands”.
“(This) ensures that Rossi’s manufacturing excellence remains in Australian hands and will see it expand into new markets,” Rinehart’s company S. Kidman and Co said.
Rossi Boots was founded by Arthur Rossiter, and sell high-quality leather boots for both men and women.
They even supplied hundreds of boots to Australian soldiers during World War I and World War II, which Rinehart said is a “recognition of our national history”.
“Rossi Boots is more than just a brand, it represents a cherished part of rural Australia’s way of life,” she said.
“We are committed to nurturing its legacy by maintaining operations in Australia and are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for Rossi Boots under the umbrella of S. Kidman and Co.”
The acquisition of Rossi's boots follows Rinehart's recent purchase of another heritage fashion brand, Driza-Bone, known for their oil-skin jackets, which has been a staple in Aussie wardrobes for 125 years.
“We want to keep and preserve its magnificent past but we also want to rejuvenate it,” she said.
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