JAKE ROSS
Welcome to the new frontier.
Where iconic craftsmanship meets contemporary artistry.
Akubra is proud to present a Limited Edition collaboration with Australian artist, illustrator and designer Jake Ross. Known for his distinct isometric perspective and a signature style that weaves raw emotion through clean lines and pastel-kissed colour palettes, Jake brings a fresh edge to a timeless Australian icon.
This partnership celebrates the intersection of heritage and modern design. Through a series of bespoke artworks exclusively for Akubra, Jake animates the icons of our brand—bringing new life to the silhouettes, stories and spirit that define the Akubra legacy.
His creative process, beginning with pencil sketches and evolving into digital line work, softened by his signature Pantone hues—culminates in pieces that are soulful, quirky, and unmistakably his own.
Available exclusively at the Sydney Royal Easter Show from 11–22 April, or shop online.
AKUBRA X JAKE ROSS
SHOP LIMITED EDITION
From Paddock to Canvas: Q&A with Jake Ross
What do you love most about creating art, and where do you draw your inspiration from?
What I love most is the challenge, the thrill of an idea forming in your mind, and the skill it takes to bring that vision to life. That’s the hardest part, but also the most rewarding. Once I’ve drawn the idea, the excitement fades a little… until the next challenge comes along. My inspiration usually comes from a busy mind and busy hands - working on the farm, mustering, fencing, mowing, gardening, feeding the animals. It’s also shaped by old Western flicks and books. It’s a mix of lived experience and stories from mates working their own farms.
What excited you most about collaborating with Akubra?
Akubra has always been part of my story. I remember my great-grandpa passing down his old Akubra to me, one of those moments where you think, “How much more Australian can you get than a Cowboy hat?” So working with Akubra feels like coming full circle. I’m not just creating art, I’m contributing to something that represents Australia. It’s a proud feeling I never expected as an artist.
How did you approach animating these Akubra icons in your own visual style?
I imagined myself in each hat and asked, “What would this version of me be doing?” The Rough Rider charging a bull, the Sombrero resting in the sun with wheat and cows. Each hat became a character, a hero with its own story and personality.
What’s your favourite Akubra hat and how do you wear it?
The Rough Rider - no question. I wear it everywhere. From mustering cattle on horseback to black-tie exhibition launches in Jakarta. It makes me feel like a cowboy, makes me feel Australian. It’s the one I’ll be buried in.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming exhibitions or projects we should watch out for?
Right now, I’m back in my Byron studio painting for my next show, GRAZING. It follows a big year touring IN THE GARDEN, a collection of 20 cowboy-inspired canvases across Asia, Jakarta, Bali, and South Korea.
In 2025, GRAZING will tour Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne - twenty new works inspired by the Australian farming landscape, moving paddock to paddock, just like the stories they tell.
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