Founded in 1984 by Tom Latham, Yarra Trail emerged from a passion to create clothing that embodies the natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle of Australia. As we embrace a new direction for Yarra Trail, we sat down with Tom to revisit the inspiration behind the brand’s inception 40 years ago. We explore how his vision continues to shape our commitment to quality, timeless design, and effortless Australian style.

Q: Yarra Trail was started more than 40 years ago. What gave you the idea to start the brand?

At the time, there were few Australian lifestyle labels, so my vision was to create a brand that represented the essence of high-quality, casual Australian living.

Q: Where did the brand name ‘Yarra Trail’ originally come from?

The first building we occupied was situated right on Yarra Bend Park, the view was stunning! We were only 3kms from the CBD, but the view from our showroom was uninterrupted parkland – there wasn’t a building in sight. The inspiration for our brand was from this serene location on the Yarra River. I asked a friend, a well-known artist, to capture the scene from our showroom in a painting, which became our original logo.

Q: Tell us about your background – we know you’re quite the expert!

I spent several years in Hong Kong exporting fashions to Europe and spent a lot of time in the factories, working alongside the technicians, pattern cutters, and learning about high-quality fabrics. This experience influenced Yarra Trail, where I applied these insights to create well-fitting, high-quality garments.

Q: Are you excited about the new direction for Yarra Trail?

I’m absolutely thrilled! Many fashion labels tend to become stagnant over time, but Yarra Trail has not only stayed true to its roots but also embraced new innovations in designs and fabrications. This continuous evolution has kept the brand fresh and relevant, and I couldn't be happier with where we are heading.