Photo courtesy Leanne Buckle Frew Photography.
Executive designer for iconic Australian brand R.M.Williams, Jonathan Ward was born and raised on mixed farming and grazing properties in central New South Wales and began his career as a wool classer. But the "boy from the bush" had exceptional creative flair for fashion design and ended up designing tailor-made garments for the likes of Nicole Kidman, Elle McPherson, Kylie Minogue and many others. He is now regarded as one of Australia's leading designers.
Q: How did you get involved in the fashion industry?
A: I could draw before I could walk. My interest in fashion started when I became a wool classer and began to understand the nature of fabrics in conjunction with the fashion pages of the Women's Weekly. One of my greatest supporters was Lady McMahon for whom I later went on to make the replica of the famous white gown worn to the White House with her husband, the late Sir William McMahon. She reappeared in this replica gown with son Julian at a big fashion celebration for Myer. Lady McMahon, herself a country girl, has been a huge supporter of my move to R.M.Williams.
Q: What would you say was the most notable moment in Jonathan Ward's career?
A: There have been a number. A particular highlight was the opportunity to dress Nicole Kidman, her daughter Isabella and sister Antonia in couture for a very special occasion - Antonia's wedding.
Q: Your couture designs have been worn by many well-dressed, famous Australian women. Why is it that Elle McPherson, Nicole Kidman, Sophie Kaulkiner and Kylie Minogue love your gowns?
A: I understand a woman's body and am willing to understand her personality and design something she can carry with confidence - a gown that hides her weaker features and enhances the stronger. My clients appreciate my confidentiality about their shapes and requirements.
Q: Taking on the executive designer position at R.M.Williams is a big departure from couture. Why did you make this big step?
A: I made the step after great consideration, because I felt I had dressed almost everybody - reached the peak of my career - and saw the opportunity to test my talents as a designer with a great Australian lifestyle brand such as R.M.Williams (which I have worn all my life). Moving to R.M.Williams meant working with the most highly skilled footwear craftsmen in the world and being part of a team working together to re-energise the company and inject some men's and women's wear designer "wow" factor into the product.
In line with growing demand, R.M.Williams now creates seasonal ranges that are released twice a year and supported by an array of sub-ranges for various customers. These include a Colts and Fillies range for children, a Longhorn range for the younger customer looking for a vintage Western product line, a "Big Men's" range for the larger male customer and, of course, our Stockman's range designed for people working the land.
It is our awareness of our customer's demands and perception of R.M.Williams that has allowed our business to grow and the company's product range to become diversified. However, more and more in metropolitan Australia, we are becoming recognised as a great Australian-owned company with fantastic contemporary designs.
It is very satisfying to see, in this R.M.Williams' 75th Anniversary year, how far the company has come since its origins in 1932, and for me to be a part of it.
Q: During the 2008 NRA Australian Fashion Design Awards we saw your spectacular Jonathan Ward evening wear collection. I am intrigued as to what inspires you - what keeps you continually creating?
A: My designs are seen and worn all over the world. I still love to keep my hand in with the appropriate time left for my select clientele. Yes Di, I really do have the best of both worlds.
To find a stockist, visit the R.M.Williams' website.
