John Lobb, a Cornish farm boy turned away by London's established shoemakers, sailed to Australia during the gold rush and set up a tent workshop in the Turon goldfields, making boots for prospectors that won a Prize Medal at the 1862 International Exhibition. He returned to London and earned a Royal Warrant in 1863 for a pair of riding boots made for the Prince of Wales, opening shops at 296 Regent Street and 29 St James's Street by 1866. His son William expanded the business to Paris in 1901; the French side was sold to Hermès in 1976 and became the John Lobb ready-to-wear brand, while the original bespoke workshop at 9 St James's Street has stayed independent and family-owned.