Blundstone’s 150th anniversary style a fashion hit

A new release boot, to commemorate Blundstone’s 150th birthday, is high on the wish lists of men and women with an eye for fashion.

Tradewear manager Mark Scholes with one of the commemorative 150th anniversary Blundstone boots for sale. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THIRTY years ago, the bulk of Mark Scholes’ customers were tradies.

But now the Hobart Tradewear manager is just as likely to sell boots to young, fashionable women.

And a new release boot, to commemorate Blundstone’s 150th birthday, is high on their wish lists.

“Blundstones were designed for people who worked as labourers,’’ Mr Scholes said, reflecting on the early days of his sales career.

“They were just a plain old working boot … they only really made one boot.’’

“Now the boots have become a fashion item. We’ve got about 43 different designs on the wall, with a lot more colour and a lot more variety.’

Mark Scholes with one of the commemorative 150th anniversary Blundstone boots for sale. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Customers were mainly men in the beginning, but that’s completely and utterly changed – they’re more of a fashion boot than a work boot now.’’

From humble beginnings in Tasmania in 1870 – when John and Eliza Blundstone established a family boot business – Blundstone has become a global leader, selling more than 2.7 million boots a year in 70 countries.

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The new anniversary series unisex lifestyle boot has 150 embossed in the outer leather, and in the lining, as well as having 150 on the pull tab. The auburn colour is said to be “inspired by the earthy tones found on our island home of Tasmania”.

Mr Scholes has had them in his Elizabeth St store for just over a week and says there’s been plenty of interest, with at least two pairs of the $199 boots selling each day.

A commemorative steel-capped safety boot – the 9150 – is set to be released later this year.

Read more about Blundstone’s 150th anniversary in next Saturday’s TasWeekend, in your Mercury newspaper.