Michael Haythornthwaite is a Melbourne-based fashion designer and product leader with more than two decades of international experience creating and directing apparel, sportswear and lifestyle collections across Australia, the United States and international markets.

Currently Senior Designer at Russell Athletic, Michael leads the evolution of one of the world's most recognised sportswear brands — shaping product strategy, elevating garment quality, refining range architecture and helping drive the brand's continued growth across retail and direct-to-consumer channels.

Across his career, Michael has worked at the intersection of fashion, performance and culture, contributing to an exceptional portfolio of globally recognised brands including Burton Snowboards, Analog, SPY Optics, Rip Curl, Slazenger, Mooks and Russell Athletic, alongside extensive experience across premium retail and commercial apparel environments.

His work spans technical outerwear, sportswear, casual collections, workwear, accessories and brand experiences — combining a refined design sensibility with deep expertise in product development, sourcing and commercial strategy. Known for balancing creativity with performance, Michael has consistently delivered collections that connect contemporary aesthetics with market relevance.

From designing performance apparel in California's action sports industry to leading major fashion portfolios in Australia, Michael's career reflects a rare breadth of experience across premium product, brand building and global manufacturing.

Today, Michael continues to work from Melbourne, developing considered product and brand experiences with a focus on quality, innovation and enduring design.