Ottway was born from countless weekends along the Great Ocean Road, chasing waves, wandering the Otway Ranges, and dreaming of something more. What started as a creative escape has grown into a brand rooted in heritage, sustainability, and community.
Founders Neri and Manu spent years road-tripping between Bells and Lorne, getting lost in the forested valleys of the Otway Ranges. Eventually, they purchased a plot of land in the hills and built an off-grid cabin from an old school bus - complete with solar panels and composting toilet - as their creative sanctuary.
Read about the renovation journey here.
Though the label officially launched in Melbourne in 2018, its roots go back to 2017, when Neri and Manu spent a year developing designs, scouting manufacturers, and building their philosophy.
They had dabbled in interior design, backpack lines, and importing leather goods, but clothing resonated most. They gravitated toward unisex silhouettes, vintage aesthetics, and garments with stories.
Sustainability isn’t a buzzword - it’s woven into Ottway’s DNA.
Manu’s background in renewable energy (he helped develop solar farms in Australia) shaped the brand’s trajectory. Today, Ottway runs a solar initiative that donates to community projects.
Check out all projects here.
Ottway practices circular fashion:
By producing in small batches (200–300 pieces) to avoid overproduction, by bringing out intentionally limited collections, ensuring in seven years no Ottway piece has gone to landfill and by partnering with “artisan” manufacturers, not just suppliers, with long-term trust and collaboration.
As Neri says, when we call something “timeless,” we mean it: if our community still loves it, we will continue to restock. Some of our first designs remain in rotation years later.
One of Ottway’s breakout pieces was the Rarebird jacket - tied to a campaign about freedom and self-expression. Its resonance struck especially during COVID, when “freedom felt lost.”
Manu made a bold leap: he left his engineering career and tattooed “Life is for living” as a daily reminder. That sentiment now threads through Ottway’s messaging - “not to quit your job, but to chase your dreams.”
Ottway has now expanded: launching Ottway Kids when their child was born and holding their first international pop-ups in Oceanside, California (with over 250 attendees) and upcoming plans in Mallorca, where they were engaged.
But through all this, the Otways remain foundational: their brand’s inspiration, roots, and north star.
SO WHAT COMES NEXT?
The Otways aren’t just a chapter in Ottway’s story. They continue to be the grounding force.
“It was where we started dreaming … finding inspiration. That is still what we carry with us today.”
As Ottway grows and travels as a family, the brand’s mission is to keep inspiring freedom, creativity, and connection. If you resonate with nature, thoughtful design, and meaningful fashion, we’d love for you to join our community.
