1. law, govt and politics
2. armed forces
3. navy

M E N O F S U B S TA N C E
|
DRESS CODES
|
L I F E A DV E N T U R E S
N°.
4
T H E M . J. B A L E G U I D E T O S T Y L E A N D M A N LY A RT S
I S S U E 4 , AU T U M N / W I N T E R 2 0 1 5
WIPP IT GOOD
Radio jester duo Fitzy and Wippa’s ‘Adventures in Style’: “I’ve had
some massive faux pas in my time.” Page 8
CHISELLED COUPLING
“Mate, he watches Harry Potter, I know that.” Despite the banter, M.J. Bale’s
campaign models, Tom and Alex, are long-time mates. Page 19
V E N T U R E C A P I TA L I S T
How to have a grown man’s adventure, from exploring the mind and
spirit, to matters of the heart. Page 35
T H E A DV E N T U R E S o f a W E L L - D R E S S E D G E N T L E M A N
05.
08.
19.
20.
22.
26.
27.
30.
35.
38.
Letter From The Founder
Men Of The Bale
Model Citizens
Tas-man-ia
M.J. Bale Online
Shirt Fit Guide
What Makes A Gentleman
Purchasing An M.J. Bale
Custom Suit
Gentlemanly Guide To
Adventures
The David Bonney Edit
Origins Of The Suit
Matt Jensen’s
Autumn/Winter Edit
9-Point Plan
Nailed & Failed
2 | MJBALE.COM
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 3
LETTER FROM
THE FOUNDER
Welcome to the fourth edition of the Manual,
our quarterly compendium of life and
M.J. Bale style which we’ve timed to be
released in conjunction with our new Autumn/
Winter 2015 collection. You’ll see these pages
peppered with what we hope are some great
people, product and stories. You’ll see words
like “adventures” and “gentleman” used a lot
in this Manual, as we conceived this collection
around the idea of the ‘Adventures of a WellDressed Gentleman.’
For this collection we wanted to create
garments for our swashbuckling M.J. Bale
customers on the move, be it for business trips,
weekends away or quite literally moving on
and up in life (work, events, marriage etc.).
The way that we see it, life is a big adventure,
but not necessarily a physical one. As you’ll
read within these pages, an adventure, we
passionately believe, is in the arc and character
of your life. It’s like the Mark Twain maxim,
and I paraphrase: If you thought the same way
at 50 as you did aged 20, you’ve wasted 30
years. So true.
We hope in this collection that we’ve created
clothes that are of course functional, but also
aspirational. We want you to feel good about
yourself and to enjoy the confidence you
experience when getting dressed up. We want
you to look in the mirror of a morning and say,
“I’m looking good, I’m feeling good.”
Us? Well, M.J. Bale’s big adventure is still in
full swing. We’ve had a phenomenal few years,
but aren’t slowing down. We’ve got a lot more
things to do and a lot more clothes to create,
because we absolutely love doing what we do.
We’re growing bigger and will be launching
new M.J. Bale stores across Australia this year.
We’re producing new leather accessories and
more elegant casual garments, like slim-cut
chinos and dapper shawl cable knits. We’re
also re-launching our website to evolve the
brand to service you guys, wherever you are,
and to do so with speed and efficiency.
Lastly, I want to thank the people involved in
this campaign. We’re so lucky to work with
some of Australia’s most talented creatives,
including photographer Hugh Stewart,
stylist David Bonney, art director David
Hutton (SoDUS), grooming expert Stephen
Foyle (Detail for Men) and journalist-editor
Jonathan Lobban, who helped put together
this issue of the Manual along with the M.J.
Bale team. Thanks also to the Sydney Morning
Herald’s Walkley award winning artist, John
Shakespeare, for the great illustrations.
2015, here we come. Let’s all fire up.
Matt Jensen, M.J. Bale Founder & CEO
BLAG THE SWAG
THE ORIGINS OF FOUR KEY GARMENTS TO
S O U N D S M A R T ( A N D B O R E YO U R M AT E S W I T H )
The Suit
The French invented the pre-cursor to the modern suit in the 1600s, creating (admittedly very
effeminate) flowing coats, waistcoats, tight breeches and cravats worn at King Louis XIV’s
Versailles court. However, it was the English dandy, Beau Brummell, who perfected the suit in
the 1800s, creating a relatively masculine version consisting of a navy blue tailcoat, beige vest
and trousers, and white cravat. The penniless Brummell eventually died in a French asylum in
1840 (and, ironically, not very well dressed either).
PIANA PLAYERS
This season we have delved further into the archives of our fabric suppliers to bring to you
our best fabrics yet. But don’t take our word for it, as our friends at legendary Italian mill Loro
Piana state: “...clothing made of Loro Piana Tasmanian fabric is perfectly suited to almost every
occassion in virtually every season of the year. Already appreciated by fine clothing enthusiasts
all over the world, Tasmanian has now been created using even finer wools taken from prized
lots of Super 150’s Wool - all for a discernable fineness you can actually feel. The extraordinarily
soft hand of this Tasmanian cloth will win over anyone who touches it.”
See, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Tasmanian wool, milled in Italy and used in a
selection of our latest M.J. Bale suits to make you feel like you’ve just stepped off the helicopter
at Cradle Mountain. You can thank us later.
The 5-Fold Tie
We can’t for the life of us find out who created the first 5-fold tie (M.J. Bale’s new, premium
ties), but we do know the modern tie traces its origins to the Croatian militia who fought for
the French in the early 17th-century wearing knotted and colourful silk handkerchiefs tied
around their necks. The boyish French king Louis XIV loved the bravery of the Croats, as well
as their neckties, and hence the cravat (French derivative of ‘Croat’) was born.
The Shirt
The origins of the shirt date back to the first time man realised he was cold and naked
(followed closely next by man’s early methods of wooing partners: “Babe, this shirt is really
chaffing me, mind if I take it off?”). The modern shirt - a cotton number with buttons going all
the way down the chest - was apparently created by English firm Brown, Davies & Co. in 1871.
Until then men just pulled the shirt on (and off ) over their heads, no doubt putting their backs
out on the odd occasion.
The Tuxedo
The tuxedo was created for the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) in the 1860s by Savile Row
tailor, Henry Poole & Co., as a rebellion of sorts against the Prince’s mother, Queen Victoria,
who stuffily used to make him dress in a black formal tailcoat at every dinner. The Prince had
his version made as a smoking jacket of sorts in a brilliant blue silk and without a tailcoat.
A visiting New Yorker (Mr Potter) to the Prince’s Sandringham Estate saw Henry Poole to get
dressed in the style of the Prince. Potter took the dinner jacket back to New York and attended
a function at Tuxedo Park. Hence, the term stuck (in England it remains a ‘dinner suit’).
4 | MJBALE.COM
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 5
AUTUMN/WINTER 15
AUTUMN/WINTER 15
CAVALIER NAVY JACKET $499.00
BAYLDON NAVY SHIRT $149.95
TOULON NAVY TROUSER $179.00
VALDISERE RED POCKETCHIEF $39.95
BROWN LEATHER BELT $99.95
PENN GREY SUIT $995.00
PENN GREY DOUBLE-BREASTED WAISTCOAT $250.00
CONNALL NAVY STRIPE SHIRT $79.95
ALVARO SKY TIE $129.95
MEGEVE GREY POCKETCHIEF $29.95
ARNOUX NAVY SCARF $149.95
THYNNE DENIM SUIT $899.00
THYNNE DENIM DOUBLE-BREASTED WAISTCOAT $299.00
LENNOX SKY SHIRT $79.95
MEGEVE BLUE TIE $129.95
NAVY CHECK POCKETCHIEF $15.00
EDSON TIE CLIP $79.95
FRANKLIN NAVY COAT $699.00
BEULER NAVY CABLE SWEATER $299.00
AYRES INK TROUSER $179.00
ALONSO GREEN SCARF $149.95
6 | MJBALE.COM
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 7
FRIENDS OF M.J. BALE
FRIENDS OF M.J. BALE
FI T Z Y & W I PPA’ S
ADVENTURES IN STYLE
Radio funnymen Ryan “Fitzy”
Fitzgerald and Michael “Wippa”
Wipfli on their fashion sense, the laws of
style and what it means to be a man.
“I normally take a blazer or jacket
and jeans or trousers of some sort, a
pair of shorts, and sometimes a coat
as well in winter. As long as I can
chuck it in my bag or throw it over my
shoulder it’s all good.”
Wippa: (nodding furiously) Yesss… Yesss
M.J. Bale: Has there ever been a time when you thought
that you were killing it in the style department, but had
actually blown it?
Fitzy: Yeah, I’ve had some massive faux pas in my time.
Um… well, I actually do always think that I’m killing it. But
I’m actually a pretty basic man. It’s black jeans and band
t-shirts for me.
Having grown up in Sydney “near the coast”,
Tobin says getting to know Australia more
intimately has been a thrill. “I love getting to
Tasmania,” he says. “Tassie has all that rugged
wilderness. I love getting out to Western
Australia. I have to say the Kimberleys are
my favourite part of Australia. It’s ancient,
beautiful and feels untouched, you know,
it’s… fantastic.”
Wippa: I had a moment at a year 12 formal where I
tore my shirt on the dance floor. I called Mum from the
reception centre, wherever we were, and Mum brought a
new shirt up for me. It was Dad’s, so it was far too big and
I was a bit sweaty. I went straight back on the dance floor
and… I split my pants. There was nothing I could do about
it. I wasn’t wearing undies, either.
Wippa: Yeah, it is.
Fitzy: Yep. I was wearing it with oversized black pants and
I remember I wasn’t doing too well because the girls from
the local high school used to come in, and they used to
laugh at me as they went through my checkout.
M.J. Bale: Fitz, were you always the tallest kid in class?
FITZY (LEFT) WEARS: MONTGOMERIE BLACK TUXEDO $995.00, BLACKROCK WHITE TUXEDO SHIRT $149.95, MAURICIO BLACK BOW TIE
$69.95, WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00 | WIPPA (RIGHT) WEARS: ENDO NAVY SUIT $1295.00, TURLEY WHITE SHIRT $149.95, MEGEVE BLUE
BOW TIE $99.95, WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00
unemployment rate in Taiwan go down. (Looks at Wippa
drinking his Scotch) Mate, you better go easy on that if you’re
going to drive after this, big fella.
Wippa: The next thing you know old copycat here rolls through
with a glass of whiskey and a velvet bow tie trying to be Michael
Wipfli.
Wippa: It’s fantastic.
M.J. Bale: Ok, last one: what makes a gentleman?
M.J. Bale: Boys, what are your laws of style?
Fitzy: What makes a gentleman? Well, etiquette is a big one,
and the way you treat the opposite sex is a big one. Yeah, I think
that’s what makes a gentleman to me… the way that you treat a
woman.
Fitzy: Yep, so I’ve grown up with ankle freezers my whole
life…
Wippa: Laws of style…be brave. I mean, when we’ve been to
the races, Fitzy thinks he’s hilarious. You know what he used
to do? He would go to the races dressed as Austin Powers.
Wippa: Always, always short pants…
Fitzy: Oh no I didn’t!
Fitzy: … Always short pants and short arms in shirts.
Wippa: Every year!
M.J. Bale: Do you remember your first suit purchase?
Fitzy: No, that’s the biggest faux pas. That is the one thing that
I hate. Or, a coloured suit from Bali.
Fitzy: I don’t reckon… God, I remember the first
suit that I got was for my formal, and that was from
“Ferrari formalwear”, which was horrible! And I had a
cummerbund.
M.J. Bale: Yes! What colour was the cummerbund?
Fitzy: It was purple. I remember because it went with my
purple vest.
Wippa: Noooooo! I need to jump in here, and remember
we’ve heard this story a million times before… at the
formal where I split my shirt I turned up with the novelty
bow tie on. It was the water pistol. Yeah… very funny for
about a second.
M.J. Bale: Ok Wippa, finish this sentence: ‘Clothes maketh
the…”
Wippa: (Thinks hard) Um… the… man we’re attempting
to be? The man we idolise? Um, because, you know, when
you do adopt a style for what you’re going for you do try,
I suppose, to emulate someone, don’t you? I mean, right
now I’m doing my best George Clooney. But if you go
around in that band t-shirt, you’re kind of trying to be in
that scene, aren’t you, mate?
Fitzy: Yep.
Wippa: You’re desperate to be accepted into that scene,
aren’t you?
Fitzy: Right. Right. Exactly. Um, clothes maketh the…
8 | MJBALE.COM
TELEVISION PRESENTER
James Tobin is used to travelling lightly, and
often. As a reporter and weather presenter
for Channel 7 and the weather presenter for
Weekend Sunrise Tobin spends almost every
weekend corresponding from a different
locale in Australia. “It’s a case of no fuss;
it’s got to be easy,” he says of his clothing
requirements on the road.
M.J. Bale: Ok, so let’s talk about style, in particular, your
adventures in style. We’ve all made sartorial stuff-ups in
the past being too adventurous…
Fitzy: I was a checkout chick at Franklins No Frills and my
fashion sense was no frills as well, because I was wearing
an oversized white shirt… with a skinny black tie, which is
actually back in fashion.
JA M ES TO BI N
Michael Dorman may play a a womaniser in
a TV drama, but off stage the only risks the
Kiwi-born actor says he takes are to do with
his career. “I try to stay true to myself,” he
says.
Wippa: I think it’s more the way you inspire a woman, which I
do from being an alpha male. I mean, I have a truck where I put
meat and beer in the back and drive home. Because a woman
wants a gentleman to open the car door and all those things,
but to be a man, too. Sometimes I just leave the house with a
chainsaw and go chop down a tree because I’m a man.
“You gotta try everything at least once
and push yourself as far as you can.
I hope that I’ve done that and been
honest with myself. I think that’s a
biggie for all of us. At the end of the
day, what’s important to me is that
I’ve pushed it as far as I can and
given everything my best shot, and not
kind of cowered away.”
M.J. Bale: You’re fire, he’s ice.
Fitzy: Yes.
Wippa: I’ve actually got a 4.2 metre Quintrex tinny. You know
what annoys me, though? It’s probably the only time I’ve ever
had a fashion battle. I started the bow tie.
Fitzy: No you didn’t.
Wippa: Out of the two of us I was the first one to wear it. We
start turning up to events… what do you know? It was a velvet
bow tie… that was my thing.
Fitzy: No it was not your thing. You don’t own the velvet bow
tie.
BARNETT LIGHT BLUE JACKET $499.00
BARNETT LIGHT BLUE TROUSER $179.00
ETHEREAL WHITE SHIRT $99.95
DIMARO NAVY KNITTED TIE $129.95
WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00
ACTOR
Fitzy: Be individual, though. Wippa and I… our fashion sense
is totally different. He likes to dress nice. I like to dress very
casual.
Fitzy: On his vision board at work Wippa has a vision board
with a picture of an 80-foot yacht. Unfortunately he’s dressing
like he owns the yacht, but he doesn’t have it.
Describing his style as “pretty casual”, Tobin
nonetheless likes the concept of getting
dressed up. “This M.J. Bale suit is maybe not
your Monday to Friday suit, but I kind of like
the idea of having a loud suit with a classic
shirt and tie, or a conservative suit with a
pretty wild shirt. Maybe on their own, the suit
or shirt would be too much, but when worn
with something classic, they become a bit of a
statement.”
MI CHAEL D O R MAN
Wippa: I mean, I wore a jumper last year, didn’t I? It’s just a
photo printed on a jumper, and it’s chips. Fries. Novelty items
like that I think are fantastic.
Wippa: Yeah. I’m so chilled I can burn. Effectively I can do fire
as well. The result is the same but I’ve got twice the power.
Asked what his favourite recent adventure
across Australia was, the 34-year-old
nominates a night in the Victorian high
country sleeping in swags by the campfire
with Geoff Burrows, the gentleman who
produced and directed The Man from Snowy
River. “He’s just one of those few people
in life you meet that has a photographic
memory,” Tobin says. “And he’s passionate
about Victorian high country. That was a
pretty incredible experience to talk to one of
the real authorities on the area in the setting,
you know, having a cup of tea in a billycan
by the fire. He’s a man who knows so much
about the country there. He researched it and
loved it so much that he dedicated years of
his life to produce a film about it. It was a very
special experience.”
COMINO BLACK TUXEDO $995.00
BLACKROCK WHITE TUXEDO SHIRT $149.95
MAURICIO BLACK BOW TIE $69.95
WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00
Having studied acting in Queensland as
a 17-year-old Dorman made his name on
The Secret Life of Us, before spending a
near decade working in film. He returned to
television to stay in Australia, but is keeping
an open mind as to whether he’ll head to the
US to try and break through into Hollywood.
“We’ll see”, he says. “You can go over and
knock on doors. I’ve been invited a few times
to go have a look. I’m open.”
Still only 34 years of age, Dorman has time on
his side. When put to him as to whether he
prefers the gaining of age and wisdom of his
thirties or the youth of his twenties, the actor
nominates the latter. “There is such a carefree
nature when you’re young. You’re bulletproof.
It’s almost like seeing adventures for the first
time, you’re exploring to the nth degree. I
remember when I was young waking up in
London. I was in Australia one night and then
I woke up in a London bar.”
Dorman describes his personal style as
“whatever’s on top”, as in whatever is clean
and on top of his drawers when he gets out
of the shower. So how does he like wearing
his M.J. Bale tuxedo? “It’s confronting,” he
says of the dapper suit. “It’s definitely outside
of my comfort zone. But in saying that, I’m
quite enjoying putting on something new,
something I wouldn’t normally wear. I used
to go to events and things and I could never
put on a suit. Even if it was black tie I would
be the one in jeans and a shirt. That was my
comfort zone. But now I feel comfortable in
this suit. I like it! I could definitely get used
to it.”
“I had a moment at a year 12 formal where I tore my shirt on the dance floor… Mum brought
a new one for me… I went straight back on the dance floor and split my pants. I wasn’t
wearing undies, either.” - Wippa
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 9
LOOKBOOK
LOOKBOOK
KENTIA STEEL JACKET $499.00
MAYNARD NAVY SHIRT $149.00
LINWOOD NAVY CHINOS $179.00
MEGEVE GREY POCKETCHIEF $29.95
THYNNE DENIM SUIT $899.00
THYNNE DENIM DOUBLE-BREASTED WAISTCOAT $299.00
LENNOX SKY SHIRT $79.95
MEGEVE BLUE TIE $129.95
NAVY CHECK POCKETCHIEF $15.00
10 | MJBALE.COM
GLASGOW BLUE JACKET $499.00
OWENS WHITE SHIRT $79.95
MALUCA NAVY TROUSER $200.00
MAURICIO NAVY BOW TIE $69.95
WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00
ALVAREZ NAVY SWEATSHIRT $129.95
AYRES SAND TROUSERS $179.00
CUSTOM M.J. BALE SUIT prices starting at $995.00
MISCHRA NAVY/WHITE SHIRT $99.95
LEROY AQUA TIE $99.95
MADOX TIE CLIP $79.95
MEGEVE SKY POCKETCHIEF $29.95
FARRELL RED SHIRT $129.95,
AYRES SAND TROUSER $179.00,
COROWA RED/BLUE BELT $89.95
CHIKARA BLUE SUIT $1295.00
EOIN BLUE SHIRT $79.95
RODDICK DENIM SWEATER $169.00
MAURICIO LIGHT GREY TIE $79.95
MEGEVE GREY POCKETCHIEF $29.95
NEWCOMBE OLIVE SWEATER $169.00
BLIGHT TAUPE SHIRT $129.95
LINWOOD OLIVE CHINOS $179.00
PARKES CHOCOLATE SUEDE BELT $89.95
M.J. BALE CUSTOM JACKET from $699.00
DEVANEY NAVY/RED SHIRT $149.95
LINWOOD NAVY CHINOS $179.00
MEGEVE GREY POCKETCHIEF $29.95
BROWN LEATHER BELT $99.95
SPENCER BLUE JACKET $499.00
AYRES INK TROUSER $179.00
VISBY DENIM SWEATER $199.00
DELAFIELD NAVY SHIRT $99.95
PIRONI GREY/BLUE SCARF $149.95
FRANKLIN NAVY COAT $699.00
VILAS SHAWL COLLAR CABLE SWEATER $299.00
CABRIS BLUE TROUSER $179.00
MONTGOMERIE BLACK TUXEDO $995.00
BLACKROCK TUXEDO SHIRT $149.95
BLACK MAURICIO BOW TIE $69.95
BLACK COTTON SOCKS $19.95
WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 11
FRIENDS OF M.J. BALE
FRIENDS OF M.J. BALE
MEN
ALEX
RU SSELL
OF THE BALE
WH AT MA K ES A
GENT L EMAN
“A gentleman is intelligent and well
balanced. He has sound values and good
manners. He is respectful to others but
also commands respect through his
deeds. He has a great spirit and energy
— a kind of worldly inquisitiveness that
keeps him exploring.”
ACTOR
PH I L WAU G H
E X-WA LLA BY & WA RATAH (RUGBY UNION)
Matt Jensen,
M.J. Bale Founder & CEO
A self-confessed “old soul”, 27-year-old Alex Russell
likes his style on the timeless side of classic. The
Rockhampton born-and-raised actor recently also
turned back the clock on the big screen to star as the
older brother of Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini in
Angelina Jolie’s World War Two biopic, Unbroken.
It wasn’t Russell’s first major international lead–
the 2012 US-made darkish sci-fi flick Chronicle is
considered his breakout role – but Unbroken certainly
did his ambitions no harm.
One of the toughest and most hard-nosed flankers to ever play rugby for Australia, former Wallaby
and Waratah Phil Waugh says that “the harder it got on the field, the more I enjoyed it.” Waugh, 35,
credits his game-day abrasiveness to an upbringing where he was the youngest kid on his street
and had to duke it out with not only the neighbourhood “ratbags”, but also his older brother. “When
you’re playing around with older kids you’ve got to be pretty resilient,” he says. “I think that’s what
it was. I don’t know. People have said that I had a complete disregard for my body (when playing
rugby), and I have had plenty of cuts and stitches and scars along the way, but it’s all just part of the
journey.”
Waugh’s journey included 79 tests for the Wallabies and 124 Super Rugby caps for the NSW
Waratahs, most of which he earned as skipper of the side. Professional rugby was his passport to
seeing the world as a young man and he says touring South Africa remains one of the highlights.
“I always loved South Africa,” he says. “South Africa is a great country, particularly places like Cape
Town and the areas around Table Mountain, out to Stellenbosch and those sorts of places.” As for the
arenas he played in, Waugh looks fondly back on Twickenham in London, Stade Francais in Paris,
Lansdowne Road or Croke Park in Dublin and Murrayfield in Edinburgh. However, he admits, “if you
talk about ruggedness and toughness, playing at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town or Loftus Versfeld
on the Highveld… it was intimidating. But, again, the harder it got and the bigger the occasion, the
more enjoyable it was.”
Best travel companion? (Wallaby prop) “Benn Robinson. He’s good fun, knows his restaurants and
loves a good feed. He’s very relaxed, too, but when it’s game time he’s on and gets up for it.”
SAUNDERS NAVY JACKET $399.00
ROBSON MARINE SHIRT $99.95
SAUNDERS NAVY TROUSER $200.00
NAVY/PINK DOT TIE $99.95
WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00
ST EPHEN FERRIS
DJ & VIVID MUSIC CURATO R
Part of Russell’s confidence comes from the
success of Rockpool Films, a film collective the
actor put together with his great mate and former
NIDA graduate, James Elliot, after the duo made a
gentlemen’s agreement in their third year at NIDA
to do projects together. “James and I went to drama
school together,” Russell explains, “… Even from the
very beginning, from the first year, we always worked
together. We’ve always lifted each other up when
the other was down and it was the kind of creative
partnership that was impossible not to clock and
then turn into something more official that could
have more weight, more clout in the industry.” Elliot,
Russell says, brings out the best in him, “I feel we
are very well matched. I think my strengths are his
weaknesses and his are my weaknesses.”
“Besides the usual things, like being
polite to people and helping others out
in life, it’s also important to be focused
and determined. Instead of going out
and spending your weekends sinking
beers and partying and all those kind of
things, I think a gentleman should also
be focused and have things he wants to
achieve, and do it in a nice, polite way.
I think being graceful in everything you
do is also important. You don’t want to
have the wrong mind-set and think you
deserve everything that comes your way.
Being a gentleman is being humble.”
Tom Bull,
Campaign Model
LEDGER NAVY JACKET $599.00
THAIGO AQUA SHIRT $99.95
LEROY AQUA TIE $99.95
NAVY CHECK POCKETCHIEF $15.00
DA IM ON DOWNEY
EN TREPREN EUR/A RTIST/BA R OWN ER
Screen Australia has now officially backed the pair to
do Sons of Salt, a crime tale about an ex-con trying to
rebuild his life while trying not to get dragged into the
past by his surfer brother. Van Diemen’s Land director
Jonathan Auf der Heide is attached to the film and
filming is slated to start this year.
“It’s about having good manners and
being a good guy and treating people
well. It’s as simple as that. A gentleman
is someone that when they speak to
you, they seem engaged and interested,
then the next time you see them they
remember the conversation. They’re
the guys who stamp themselves in
your memory and make you walk away
feeling good about them and yourself.”
James Tobin,
Television Presenter
“It’s about having integrity and being genuine.”
Daimon Downey might be better known as the charismatic
former front man of Sneaky Sound System and the co-owner
of piccolo Sydney Italian restaurant The Lemon Tree, as
well as hip nightspots like Pelicano and Bondy’s, but it’s the
art world where deserves kudos. Downey’s incandescent
aquarelle paintings are, in the words of the artist, “beautiful
colours doing dangerous things… like dropping a Buffalo Bill
on a hot footpath.”
He has partied with Prince Albert of Monaco and supported Fatboy Slim,
Norman Jay, INXS, Grace Jones, the Scissor Sisters and Frankie Knuckles
on tour. He has played privately for Bill Gates and spun the decks at
James Packer’s wedding. DJ Stephen Ferris, the older brother of John
Ferris and Pee Wee Ferris (dubbed “Cosa Nostra” by Norman Jay), is the
closest we have to the grand old man in Australian dance music. Not
that he’d appreciate that term. Whether it’s disco, pop, funk, jazz or soul,
Ferris has his fingers on the pulse of anything with a beat or melody.
Originally from the picturesque town of Bellingen in Northern
NSW, Downey credits his “artistic quirks” to his mother and
father, who he says always “celebrated” his eccentricities,
rather than squashing them. “Given the chance I would have
scribbled on the walls of my mother’s womb,” he quips.
Recently the country boy made good has turned his eye to
ceramics, creating edgy and abstract pieces that are to the
pottery world what a pink velvet tuxedo suit is to menswear.
Ferris started his career in San Francisco in the late 70’s, before moving
back to Sydney to play nights at the infamous Watermelon Club and The
Berlin Club at Jamieson Street (1500 people on a Tuesday night!). He also
fronted big-at-the-time pop/funk band Flotsam Jetsam during the mid80s,
Speaking of suits, the always impeccably dressed Mr. Downey
does an effortless turn for us here in his heavy flannel M.J.
Bale Ledger double-breasted jacket. How would he describe
his style? “I usually get my compliments from totally crazy
wackos who in a loud camp voice scream “Ohhh, wow, I
loooove your style,” he says. “Not sure what that says about
me but I think I’m pretty low key.”
A music radio presenter, Sydney-based Ferris has hosted intermittent
slots on Triple J since the late 1980s, as well as Melbourne’s Kiss FM, ABC
702 & Rhythm FM. But it’s FBi radio, his regular gig since 2003, which we
love him best for. As a supporter of the popular community radio station
since it’s very inception, he is a man of the people.
INVERELL NAVY JACKET $399.00,
INVERELL NAVY TROUSER $200.00
QUENTIN GREY SHIRT $99.95
MEGEVE BLUE POCKETCHIEF $29.95
PARKES CHOCOLATE BELT $89.95
12 | MJBALE.COM
Ferris’ latest gigs as a music curator for Vivid Sydney (Manager of Events
in Music to be precise) as well as curating the music in-stores for
M.J. Bale this season, ensure that he’ll be pushing his unique blend of
soul and funk to the masses for a few years to come.
Daimon Downey? Low key? Never. At least, we hope not.
To paraphrase the British poet, Edith Sitwell, the hirsute
ceramicist Downey is not eccentric; it’s just that he’s more
alive than most people… an electric eel in a pond of catfish.
LEDGER CHARCOAL JACKET $599.00
BANNING BROWN SHIRT $99.95
VALDISERE RED POCKETCHIEF $29.95
Phil Waugh,
Ex-Wallaby and Waratah
“The number one sign of a gentleman,
when compared to the ordinary man,
is respect for women - no questions.
Open the door for them, don’t swear in
front of them, put them on a pedestal
etc. In terms of dress, a gentleman has
respect for the occasion for which he
is dressing. Dress for, and up to, the
occasion but not over it. A gentleman
does not make others feel guilty or not
worthy by being over-dressed, either. A
gentleman can also be trusted above all
other men. He is a man of his word, a
man of integrity.”
Drew Hoare,
M.J. Bale Brand Manager
“I don’t know exactly what makes a
gentleman, but I guess if I were to
imagine raising my son I’d want him to
be generous, strong, loving and astute.”
Michael Dorman,
Actor
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 13
FRIENDS OF M.J. BALE
FRIENDS OF M.J. BALE
KRIS JONES
MEN
QT MASTER BA RBER
OF THE BALE
DANIEL FITCH
M.J. BALE DESIGNER
It may seem like a misnomer for M.J. Bale designer, Daniel Fitch, to say that he
likes to “honour tradition while eliminating convention”, but the man does walk
the walk. The Northern Beaches-raised creative can be seen most days here in the
office wearing a crisp white M.J. Bale shirt and slim-cut navy M.J. Bale suit over
artfully tattooed arms. It’s a reminder to us at HQ that classicism and individuality
need not be strange bedfellows.
With regards to his own work as part of the team designing our collections, Fitch
says, “It’s all about creating longevity, combining timeless style, clever simplicity
and quality... Style to me is a bold statement of self expression... Every individual
can wear one outfit entirely contradictory to another, which is the beauty of
diversity by interpretation. I like to think that humanity depends upon a diversity
of talent and observation, not a singular conception of ability and opinion. This is
the basis of my creativity, and design is my passion.”
HUGO NAVY WAISTCOAT $179.00
ETHEREAL WHITE SHIRT $99.95
LINWOOD BROWN CHINOS $179.00
Before he joined M.J. Bale Fitch admits he was a fan from afar. “My heart was
drawn to M.J. Bale as a brand that I could identify with and wear with a subtle
confidence. Now, deep in the trenches with this extraordinary label, our sights are
set on building M.J. Bale as the ultimate men’s outfitter.”
QT Sydney’s head barber, Kris Jones, has been passionate about hair and men’s grooming ever since he first
started cutting hair 15 years ago in a small shop in Wales. He’s been teaching the grooming arts for at least
10 years and arrived in Australia via a long stint in London. “I just love making people happy,” he remarks.
“I love making people’s day. I come in and give them a bit of whisky, a little haircut. I can change their mood
for the day and it’s nice. Not only that, but grooming is important because it’s imperative to look good and
stand out from everybody else.”
Jones says M.J. Bale similarly makes him happy. “Look at my shirt, man! How could you be in a bad mood
in a shirt like this? It starts your day on a positive note if you look sharp.” Speaking of sharp, check out Kris’
short, sharp daily grooming regime for us blokes below.
SK I N F L I C K
Don’t kiss off the kisser; put some time into your face via a simple daily grooming regime. Kris, Head Barber from QT Sydney, tells us how:
fig. 1
Start by getting the basics right:
good moisturiser, good razor and
shaving products – not a foam –
and good hair product.
fig. 2
fig. 3
In the morning have a shower and cleanse
face, then shave in the mirror (always shave
after a shower) and put some moisturiser on.
It should take no more than 5 minutes.
At the end of the day use a
facial scrub in the shower.
That’s it, mate. Go forth
and be handsome.
MALUCA NAVY JACKET $399.00
MALUCA NAVY TROUSER $200.00
DAWES NAVY/RED SHIRT $99.95
ANGELIS NAVY TIE $149.95
ELLIS TIPE CLIP $79.95
MORITZ SKY POCKETCHIEF $29.95
NA ILED & FA ILED
T I M GI L B E RT
TH REE ( A DMITTEDLY FL AWED) L EG EN DS WH O N A IL ED IT, A N D O N E TH AT DIDN ’ T
SP ORTS R E P ORTE R /PRESENT ER
M E N W H O NA I L E D I T
1
If you’re ever daydreaming at work thinking about how good it would be to make a
career out of doing something you love, reference Tim Gilbert as the guy who has
successfully done exactly that. The Sydney-born family man (‘Gilbo’ has three children
under the age of 7 with former Coogee surf boat rower wife, Josie) has forged a 25year career as a sportscaster, first in radio then 19 years (and counting) with Channel
Nine. Gilbert has covered a host of the world’s top sporting events, including the
2012 London Olympics and 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, as well as most major
international cricket, golf and cycling tournaments.
2
3
When it comes to his own sporting pursuits, Gilbert loves golf, stand up paddle
boarding and rugby league (he played for years at high school). He takes his golf clubs
everywhere he travels; when we recently spoke to him on the phone Gilbert was in
Adelaide hosting the Santos Tour Down Under and had just finished 18 holes at The
Grange. When it comes to style, Gilbert is typically self-deprecating. “You know me, I
don’t really have a style,” he admits. “I guess I’m a pretty plain type of guy, but hopefully
classic and masculine in the way that I dress.”
In terms of his career, 2015 will be anything but plain for the veteran sports presenter.
Gilbert has taken over the sports reporting on Channel Nine’s Today show, a fitting
reward for a bloke described by his colleagues as one of the good guys, a man not keen
on blowing his own trumpet or stepping over others in the mad scramble to climb the
career ladder. Nine reporter Wendy Kingston recently described Gilbert as “one of the
nicest guys on TV”, proving that nice guys, it seems, can finish first.
14 | MJBALE.COM
Julius Caesar
The Roman general and statesman/dictator was as divisive as they come in Ancient Rome, but he was revered by his soldiers, with whom he would fight with on the front line
shoulder-to-shoulder, rather than barking orders from the back. We love the story told by Roman biographers Suetonius and Plutarch of how a then 25-year-old civilian Caesar
was captured by Sicilian pirates off the island of Pharmacussa. Having sent his men back to Rome to raise the ransom, Caesar calmly swore to his captors that he would return
to “capture and crucify” them. After being let go by the pirates on the receipt of ransom, Caesar put together a militia of men and returned, capturing the men and all their
possessions, as well as taking back his ransom. Sure, he was murdered by his senatorial peers aged in his 50s, but hands up those of us who have a month named in their
honour?
Michelangelo
Although the Italian artist saw himself as a sculptor, not painter, it is for Michelangelo’s epic brushwork on nine panels of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican for which he is best
remembered. The ceiling took four years to paint, in which time Michelangelo also skived off work to build a separate 23 x 32 stone tomb for the Pope. Hot-tempered and on the
revengeful side of vitriolic, when a papal official attempted to view his painting The Last Judgement before it was finished, Michelangelo painted the official into the artwork as
one of hell’s damned, depicting the official as being tormented in perpetuity by devils. Ouch.
Ernest Hemingway
American writer Hemingway served as a Red Cross ambulance driver in World War 1 and was a war correspondent during the Spanish Civil War and World War Two. He wrote
the seminal books The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, Death in the Afternoon, For Whom the Bell Tolls and A Moveable Feast. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1953
for The Old Man and the Sea and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. The ‘lover, writer and fighter’ was six-feet tall and, according to Irish writer, James Joyce, “a big, powerful
peasant, as strong as a buffalo.” Suffering from bipolar mood disorder, depression, alcoholism and intermittent bouts of psychosis, he unfortunately took his own life in 1961, a
sad conclusion for a life lived to the full.
H E W H O NA I L E D, T H E N FA I L E D
MAITLAND DENIM JACKET $399.00
OWENS BLUE SHIRT $79.95
DUBOIS NAVY TIE $99.95
MEGEVE BLUE POCKETCHIEF $29.95
ELLIS TIE CLIP $79.95
1
Francis Bacon
Speculation has it that English philosopher, poet and statesman Francis Bacon may have been the real author of William Shakespeare’s plays. He is, however, more widely
acknowledged as one of the founders of modern scientific method. His book, The Arrangement and General Survey of Knowledge, was banned by the Vatican in the late 1600s.
But in a huge and epic fail, Bacon met his death at the hands of a frozen chicken in 1626. As history recorded it, Bacon was riding in his carriage one day when he had the idea to
preserve food by stuffing it with snow. He sourced a chicken and stuffed the bird with snow, then devoured it. This act of early refrigeration, though innovative (kind of ), gave him
a cold that morphed quickly into bronchitis and Bacon died just a few days later.
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 15
DETAILS
DETAILS
BUXTON NAVY JACKET $599.00
BUXTON NAVY TROUSER $299.00
DAWES RASPBERRY SHIRT $99.95
JACQUES NAVY 5 FOLD TIE $159.95
GREY CHECK POCKETCHIEF $15.00
MONTROSE TAUPE JACKET $599.00
16 | MJBALE.COM
VANDERBILT TOBACCO COAT $499.00
BEULER GREY CABLE SWEATER $299.00
BENTINCK BROWN SUIT $899.00
NEWCOMBE ROSEWOOD SWEATER $169.00
MEGEVE OLIVE POCKETCHIEF $29.95
BAYLDON NAVY SHIRT $149.95
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 17
MODULAR MATESHIP
FRONT MEN
M OD EL CITIZ ENS
“I hear words like “beauty” and “handsomeness” and “incredibly chiseled features” and
for me that’s like a vanity of self absorption that I try to steer clear of.”
— Hansel, Zoolander
Even though models, Englishman, Alex Libby (the one with shaggy hair), and Perth boy, Tom Bull, have been
great mates for years, this M.J. Bale Autumn/Winter 2015 campaign shoot was their first ever job together.
After returning from Tassie we sat the pair down to gauge their (admittedly high) level of mateship.
M.J. Bale: Ok you two. How did
you meet?
Tom: We had a mutual friend
in London, one of my best
friends, and she met ‘Libs’ on
a train in Milan and called me
straight after to say we had to
meet up. I didn’t like the guy
at first, but I’m slowly coming
around.
Alex: Slim pickings here in
Australia, hey?
Tom: We had a day or two
in London hanging out and
whatever and then I contacted
him for his London’s agent’s
details, and he said, ‘Mate, it’s
blah blah blah, just landing in
Milan, catch up later.’ I said,
‘Mate, I’m landing in Milan as
well’, so we hired a car and just
drove around Italy for a week.
Alex: It was a Fiat Panda. That
car was phenomenal.
Tom: Yeah, that’s right. Libs
said, ‘Oh, mate. Because I put
my credit card down for the
rental, do you reckon I could
drive?’ No worries. He gets
behind the wheel and I say,
‘you’re going the wrong way,
chuck a U-turn’. He does the
U-turn and goes straight into
a motorbike. Then he loses all
the rental documents. Shocker.
Alex: Blame it on Libs!
M.J. Bale: How would
you describe each other’s
personalities?
Alex: In all fairness, I’d call
Tommy a new era gentleman.
Yeah, he’s definitely a
gentleman. He’ll open the
door for you, but on the way
through he’ll kick you in the
arse.
left to right:
ALEX WEARS: DAWKINS INDIGO DOUBLE-BREASTED JACKET $499.00
LINWOOD NAVY CHINO $179.00
LYNCH NAVY SHIRT $99.95
NEWCOMBE BLUE SWEATER $169.95
GREY KNITTED TIE $99.95
TOM WEARS: FRANKLIN NAVY COAT $699.00
BEULER NAVY CABLE SWEATER
AYRES INK TROUSER $179.00
ALONSO GREEN SCARF $149.95
18 | MJBALE.COM
Tom: Alex gives a lot. He
cares about other people. He
tries to make everybody feel
comfortable, which is a nice
thing to be. He’s a great person
to be with. I can walk into a
party with him and just feed
him to the sharks. Everybody
loves him. Everybody gets
along with him really well. His
outlook on life is phenomenal.
He just wants to make the
most out of every opportunity
and experience the most he
can. Actually, nobody knows
this, but Alex is a carpenter by
trade. It’s even funny now…
he’s modelling and absolutely
killing it and every now and
then he’s like, “I just want
to go back to Devon and be
a lifeguard or build things’.
He went home recently and
spent his time building a roof
for his buddy. Then he was
in the Philippines he helped
a random family put a hut
together so they had shelter.
He’s a big giver.
M.J. Bale: Alex, you like the
tools, huh?
Alex: I used to build big
wooden gates and staircases.
I used to love building gates. I
can build a sexy gate. I used to
chat up the girls by getting out
the iPhone and saying, ‘I made
that gate.’
M.J. Bale: Tom, does Alex
read?
Tom: Mate, he watches Harry
Potter, I know that. He reads
his Instagram comments.
Alex: God, I don’t even know
if Tom can read. He likes his
music, but not cool kind of
music. He listens to whatever
Smooth FM play; the smoother
the better. God, that man is
sleazy with the girls, too. He’s
got some hell chat on him.
Sometimes I can’t hold it
together some of the stuff he
says. It makes me cringe. He
definitely has the silver tongue.
M.J. Bale: Alex, is Tom the
type of guy you see being great
mates with in 10-20 years?
Alex: Yep, definitely. Easily.
Possible best man. Friend
for life. Top bloke. For all the
‘dickheadism’, he’s actually a
great guy inside. Just a super
good guy. Top, top bloke.
Would do anything for anyone.
He’s helped me out more than
he knows. I don’t know. I just
want to reciprocate it, I guess.
A lot of people could live life
the way Tommy does.
Tom: Aw, isn’t that nice? As
long as the ticker’s still clicking
over we’ll still be having a
laugh together. That’s for sure.
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 19
MATT JENSEN’S AUTUMN/WINTER SELECTS
MATT JENSEN’S AUTUMN/WINTER SELECTS
3.
17.
16.
2.
1.
18.
4.
15.
5.
19.
7.
6.
8.
20.
21.
9.
10.
12.
11.
24.
23.
22.
13.
14.
25.
1. Prost Navy Scarf $149.95, 2. Parkes Red Suede Belt $89.95, 3. Beuler Grey Cable Knit $299.00, 4. Newcombe Marine Knit $169.00, 5. Cevert Red Knit Tie $129.95, 6. Parkes Navy Suede Belt $89.95, 7. Vilas Shawl Collar Cable Knit $299.00,
8. Rupert Raspberry Shirt $99.95, 9. Hamilton Green Knit Tie $129.95, 10. Penhaligons Bayolea EDT 100ml $174.00, 11. Alvere Green Card Holder $89.00, 12. Linwood Stone Chino $179.00, 13. Bayard Tan Note Book Cover $89.00 & Camille Bark Wallet $149.00,
20 | MJBALE.COM
14. Rosberg Grey Scarf $149.95, 15. Blight Indigo Shirt $129.95, 16. Wallard Beige/Navy Knit Tie $129.95, 17. Newcombe Rosewood Knit $169.00, 18. Antoine Navy Coin Holder $89.00, 19. Penhaligons Sartorial EDT 100ml $189.00, 20. Alonso Green Scarf $149.95,
21. Frentzen Navy Knit Tie $129.95, 22. Corbin Red Key Holder $169.00, 23. Attenborough Navy Coat $699.00, 24. Torquil Navy/Red $149.95, 25. Madox Tie Clip $79.95, Ellis Tie Clip $79.95, Edson Tie Clip $79.95
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 21
ISLE OF MAN
ISLE OF MAN
TAS-M A N -IA N
Why did we shoot our AW 15 campaign in Tasmania? Well, besides its
rugged wilderness, our nation’s smallest (but arguably most pristine) state is
full of fascinating people, places, history and heritage. Here is the edit.
HOW D O YO U LIKE
T HESE A PPL E S?
FOR M IDABLE FEATS BY TASMANIANS
• Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount
Montgomery of Alamein: Considered one of the most influential
war generals of all time, “Monty”, as he was known, commanded the
British Eighth Army in Africa during the Second World War, winning
the 2nd Battle of the Alamein, amongst countless other campaigns.
The ‘Montgomery’ martini – mixed at a ratio of 15 parts gin to 1 part
Vermouth – is named after the General because of his penchant for
preferring a 15:1 numerical advantage in battle. Montgomery was
British born but lived in Hobart from 1889 to 1901, thus considered
more than 10% Tasmanian.
• Crown Princess Mary of Denmark – Born, raised and schooled
in Hobart, Mary Donaldson was working as a real estate agent in
Sydney in 2000 when she met Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at
the local boozer. Having tied the knot with the Prince in 2004 and
given birth to two Danish Princes and two Princesses, Mary is now
officially referred to as ‘Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of
Denmark, Countess of Monpezat’.
• David Clarence Boon: Legend has it that Launceston-born Boony,
the stocky, moustachioed Australian cricket icon of the ‘80s, once
sank 52 cans of beer on a flight from Sydney to London, in the
process creating the world’s ugliest hangover.
M .J. BA LE’S 9 - POINT PLA N
FACTO IDS
PL AC ES TO G O / PEO PL E TO K N OW
• Tasmania’s population is a click
over half a million, with 513,400
Tasmanians and counting
• At a total of 68,000 square
kilometres, the state is roughly the
same size of Ireland. It traverses 315
kms west to east and 286 kms north
to south.
• With a latitude of 42 degrees,
Tasmania shares the same latitude
as Tuscany and Spain. It has a
maritime climate with regular rainfall
and winds delivered from the Great
Southern Ocean’s Roaring Forties
• An epicurean paradise, Tasmania is
famous for its fresh organic produce,
including salmon, oysters, lobster,
abalone, scallops, cheese, beef, wine
and artisanal beer
• While not one of Australia’s biggest
wine regions in terms of volume,
making up just half a percent of our
national output, Tasmanian wines
make up for it in terms of quality.
Almost all the 230 vineyards are
boutique-oriented, with Pinot Noir,
Riesling and Chardonnay the three top
varietals.
• Tasmania is the world’s largest
producer of opium alkaloids, used by
pharmaceutical companies to make
morphine and medical opiates
Islington Hotel, Davey Street, Hobart
Stillwater, Bridge Road, Launceston
Hobart
Islington Hotel is considered the best luxury hotel
in Tasmania and has awards dripping from every
Scandinavian-inspired timber pore. Perfect for a
weekend getaway with your partner.
Located in a disused flourmill, Stillwater restaurant
in ‘Lonnie’ (local speak for Launceston) has views
over the Tamar River and one of the best wine lists in
Tasmania. Take your date and opt for the degustation
menu, or go hard at the Flinders Island salt-grass
lamb. You won’t regret it.
Errol Flynn, the Hollywood actor and self-proclaimed
master swordsman, was born here in Hobart in 1909,
inaugurating the term ‘In like Flynn’.
Garagistes, Murray Street, Hobart
Wine Trail
Launceston
Arguably one of the top restaurants in Tasmania,
Garagistes puts local produce on a pedestal, then
spins it round and round until you don’t know
whether you’re in Copenhagen or Tokyo. Try the
roasted suckling pig with pickled vegetables or the
basil and laksa leaf ice-cream and shortbread.
Head to Hobart and explore the Coal River and
Derwent Valley regions. If not too hungover the
following day, drive up Tasmania’s East Coast to
Freycinet, then traverse the mountains either side of
the Tamar River around Launceston to hit the local
wineries.
David Boon was born here in Launceston in 1960. He
plundered almost 7500 runs from his 107 tests for
Australia at an average of 43.65, although arguably
his most famous feat was executed on a Qantas flight
to London (see opposite page).
MONA, Main Road, Berriedale
Opened in 2011 by Tasmanian mathematician David
Walsh, the awesome MONA (Museum of Old and
New Art) on Hobart’s Derwent River houses, is in
the words of Condè Nast Traveller, “one of the most
confronting and controversial collections of art in the
world.”
Mowbray Cricket Club, North Launceston
This is the club former Australian test cricket captain
and one of Tasmania’s favourite sons, Ricky Ponting,
played for as a pre-teen. ‘’As a kid, I spent hours
sitting in the corner of the change rooms watching,
listening and learning from Mowbray players,” he
told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2013. Go the
mighty Eagles!
Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair National Park
With its ancient rainforests and glacial lakes,
Cradle Mountain is one of the most pristine and
cinematic wilderness spots in Tasmania. It was
also the location for the M.J. Bale Autumn / Winter
2015 campaign shoot and, if truth be known, one
of the coldest series of December days and nights
we’ve ever experienced in Australia (beautiful spot,
though).
1
22 | MJBALE.COM
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 23
AUTUMN/WINTER 15
AUTUMN/WINTER 15
ATTENBOROUGH CHARCOAL COAT $699.00
CARBREY NAVY SHIRT $99.95
TOULON NAVY TROUSER $179.00
GARCIANA NAVY TIE $99.95
HONSHU NAVY SUIT $1295.00
DEVANEY BLOWN/GREEN SHIRT $99.95
MEGEVE BROWN TIE $129.95
MEGEVE BLUE POCKETCHIEF $29.95
THYNNE DENIM SUIT $899.00
THYNNE DENIM DOUBLE-BREASTED WAISTCOAT $299.00
LENNOX SKY SHIRT $79.95
MEGEVE BLUE TIE $129.95
NAVY CHECK POCKETCHIEF $15.00
EDSON TIE CLIP $79.95
24 | MJBALE.COM
VILAS SHAWL COLLAR CABLE SWEATER $299.00
ANDERSON NAVY SHIRT $149.95
LINWOOD MID GREY CHINO $179.00
CEVERT NAVY TIE $149.95
PARKES CHOCOLATE SUEDE BELT $89.95
VANDERBILT TOBACCO COAT $499.00
BEULER GREY CABLE SWEATER $299.00
BLIGHT TAUPE SHIRT $129.95
LINWOOD BROWN CHINO $179.00
ALBORETO BLUE SCARF $149.95
BEULER GREY CABLE SWEATER $299.00
BLIGHT TAUPE SHIRT $129.95
LINWOOD BROWN CHINO $179.00
ALBORETO BLUE SCARF $149.95
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 25
M.J. BALE ONLINE
THE SHIRT FIT GUIDE
M . J. BA LE O N LINE
SH IRT F IT GUID E
Mjbale.com is the shopping go-to site for your entire clothing needs. We are re-launching the
site in the coming months to revolutionise your experience. Until then, keep your eyes peeled
(and your mouse clicking).
TH E M. J. BA L E S H IRT FIT G UIDE
6-STEPS TO SARTORIAL NIRVANA
H OW TO BUY AN M.J. BALE SUIT ONLINE
1. Define Occasion
4. Measured Response
In men’s dressing form always follows function. Think about for what occasion or circumstance
you need your new suit for. Are you buying it for work, a wedding, cocktail party or something
razor sharp and audacious to hit the town in at night? What’s the dea lio, big guy?
Get your suiting measurements by putting a tape measure under the broadest part of your
chest. Don’t hold the tape too tight, and make sure you’re breathing normally (now is not the
time to suck it in). Our jacket sizes are the same as your chest size i.e if you’re a 40-inch chest
you will be a size 40 M.J. Bale jacket. Likewise the trousers should correspond to your waist
measurement in inches (e.g. 34 inches, size 34), although we do offer the opportunity to mix
and match your jacket and trouser sizes if they are different.
2. Climate Control
For which season, and in which part of the world will you be wearing said suit? Is it for
Sydney and Melbourne (temperate climate), Brisbane (subtropical), Perth and Adelaide
(Mediterranean) or elsewhere internationally? We create our suits for the Australian climates,
so they are generally made deconstructed (less padding) and mostly from lightweight
superfine Australian Merino wool (great all year round). However, depending on your
destination, you may decide you want something more specific, like a suit made from cotton,
linen or cashmere.
3. Which Style For What?
Based on the occasion, is it a single-breasted two-button suit (the majority of our suits) you
need, a big-end-of-town double-breasted number, or a 1-button tuxedo for big events. For the
latter, think about whether you want to rock a peak or traditional shawl collar. If you want a
jacket with a slim, tapered waist make sure you choose one of our Drop 8 ones (Esperance
block). If you want a more traditional, classic waistline in your jacket (i.e not as tapered), you’ll
look for our Drop 7 (Sydney block).
5. Purchase
With all that brain effort (admittedly, a fun one) and measurements done, you’re ready to
hit mjbale.com. Take your time to have a good nose around – getting dressed up is the most
pleasure-filled activity you can do (note: ‘pleasure-filled activities’ may differ according to each
customer’s lifestyle and values).
TH E M. J. BA L E C O L L A R G UIDE
6. Alter Boy
Depending on your body size, you may or may not need to make slight alterations to the suit
to make it fit like a body glove. If you don’t have a good relationship with a local alteration
specialist, call M.J. Bale and we’ll point you in the right direction to one near to you (within
reason), or we will happily do it for you at one of our flagship stores.
Tokyo
Dublin
Havana
Oxford
Roman
Malmo
Small cutaway collar
Smaller, softer peak collar
Semi-cutaway collar
Traditional peak collar
Wide cutaway collar
Smallest peak collar
Used for casual shirting
Returns
• Complimentary pick-up service on returns for full-priced purchases over $200. (excludes all sale purchases and shirt multi-buy purchases)
• 14 days to return the product to us for a refund or exchange (sale product not included)
26 | MJBALE.COM
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 27
ACCESSORIES
ACCESSORIES
SILVER PROPELLER CUFFLINK $99.95
LEAF BLUE CUFFLINK $99.95
BLUE LOOP CUFFLINK $99.95
NEUTRAL BUTTON CUFFLINK $99.95
FIRTH SQUARE CUFFLINK $99.95
ALVARO CREAM TIE $129.95
JACQUES NAVY 5 FOLD TIE $159.95
MEGEVE BLUE TIE $129.95
JAOQUIN NAVY/YELLOW TIE $129.95
MEGEVE SKY TIE $129.95
SOLOMON CORNFLOWER TIE $129.95
JAOQUIN NAVY/RED TIE $129.95
STELLAN BLUE TIE $99.95
CECIL NAVY TIE $129.95
28 | MJBALE.COM
MESSI BROWN BELT $99.95
COROWA RED/BLUE BELT $79.95
MESSI BLACK BELT $99.95
PARKES RED SUEDE BELT $89.95
PARKES TAUPE SUEDE BELT $89.95
BARRABA NAVY/WHITE BELT $89.95
PARKES NAVY SUEDE BELT $89.95
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 29
CUSTOM SUITS
CUSTOM FABRICS
C U STO M O F F I C IAL
MEN OF TH E (EXCLUSIVE) CLOTH
W H Y P UR CHASING A N M .J. BALE CUSTOM SUIT IS T H E SMART EST OPT ION FOR GENTS WANTING INDIVIDUALISATION
M.J. BALE C USTO M O FFERS UP FIN E ITA L IA N FA BRIC S N OT AVA IL A BL E IN O UR REA DY-TO -WEA R C O L L EC TIO N S
LORO PIANA
VITALE BARBERIS CANONICO
NAVY PINSTRIPE
GREY PRINCE OF WALES
SUPER 170S
SUPER 150S
WITH PINK WINDOWPANE
The Dressing Room, George Parade, Malbourne
Are you a man that likes nothing better than sifting through hundreds, maybe thousands, of
exclusive fabric swatches to choose something completely individual for you, then having
the fabric custom made (in some parts by hand) for your body according to your bespoke
specifications? Do you want something extremely particular – maybe it’s a double-breasted
suit or something in vicuna or cashmere that nobody else has? If so, you will want to make an
appointment at one of our flagship stores to try M.J. Bale’s custom suiting service.
M.J. Bale Custom is a totally personal and distinctive custom suiting service that delivers you
the very pinnacle in high-performance suiting. Constructed in our Japanese tailoring workshop
according to your exact measurements and specifications, and with a high degree of hand
workmanship, our M.J. Bale Custom suits start from $1500.
Customers have the possibility to choose between fabric offerings from Italy’s top weaving
mills (although we are also partial to English mills), as well as a wide variety of personalisation
details, including number of buttons, width of lapel, lining, canvasses and even an option for
an embroidered monogram. You’ll need to allow 8 weeks lead time from fitting to delivery, with
10 weeks advised for weddings (big day, big occasion, fella – we want to get this one right)
M.J. Bale Custom also offers a custom shirt service. These made-to-measure shirts start from
$150 and feature regular, slim, super-slim and samurai sizing. Different fits are available for
collar and body and the service takes advantage of a wealth of high-quality cotton fabrics (allow
5 weeks from fitting to delivery).
Speaking of weddings, we here at M.J. Bale love fitting out grooms and their groomsmen. For
those grooms in Sydney and Melbourne, we invite you and your wolf pack/groomsmen to our
respective Woollahra, Chifley Plaza, George Parade or Chapel Street stores, where we have the
by appointment Dressing Rooms. These have been conceived as tailoring man caves stocked
with all our greatest wedding and custom suiting options, as well as a Mad Men-style liquor
cart. Bring yourself and at least two groomsmen and we will look after you… there are no
minimum spend requirements. It’s a place to even bring your bride or parents and the in-laws
so they can see the type of discerning, upright man you’ve become (we have champagne for the
ladies).
Our Dressing Room specialist will be on hand to take you and the crew through the most
elegant options for your big day and to help you put together a winning and, most importantly,
exceptionally marriage-worthy, look.
VITALE BARBERIS CANONICO
LORO PIANA
NAVY WINDOWPANE FLANNEL
BROWN TWEED
VITALE BARBERIS CANONICO
VITALE BARBERIS CANONICO
SUPER 120S
SUPER 120S
L A BE L BY LA BEL
BLUE, CLASSICS OR COLLECT ION? OUR LABELS EXPLAINED
Blue Label
M.J. Bale’s Blue label shirts and suits are our entry-level collection
garments for the man requiring great fit, fabric and function, but
at an accessible price point. We keep Blue Label prices low by
selecting just a few key fabrics and patterns in shirts and suits
(predominantly business styles - checks, plains and stripes). We
sell our Blue Label shirts and suits in a multi-buy format (3 for
$150 & 2 for $1000 respectively) as well as single purchases.
30 | MJBALE.COM
Classics Label
M.J. Bale Classics garments (suits, shirts & ties) are stylish,
functional garments intended to finely balance between quality
and price. Designed with an emphasis on deconstruction style
(less padding around the shoulders), Classics suits are hardworking go-to-guys for everyday use (work) and ceremonial
functions (weddings, events).
Collection Label
Besides our Custom program, M.J. Bale Collection (suits, ties &
shirts) is the top dog of all our sartorial sub-labels. All Collection
suits are woven from Italian fabric created in the centuries-old
mills of Vitale Barberis Canonico or Loro Piana in northern
Italy. The fabric of our Collection suits is sent to our sartorial
workshop in the Japanese Iwate Prefecture for hand-finished
construction. All Collection ties are also handmade in Lake
Como, Italy.
SUPER 110S
NAVY TROPICAL
SUPER 110S
CHARCOAL SHARKSKIN
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 31
AUTUMN/WINTER 15
DEFOE NAVY TUXEDO $995.00
DEFOE NAVY WAISTCOAT $250.00
ETHEREAL WHITE SHIRT $99.95
MEGEVE SKY BOW TIE $99.95
32 | MJBALE.COM
AUTUMN/WINTER 15
BUXTON NAVY JACKET $599.00
DAWES RASPBERRY SHIRT $99.95
BUXTON NAVY TROUSER $299.00
JACQUES NAVY 5 FOLD TIE $159.95
GREY CHECK POCKETCHIEF $15.00
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 33
M.J. BALE’ GUIDE TO ADVENTURES
M.J. BALE’S GUIDE TO ADVENTURES
M.J. BA LE’S GENTLEM A NLY
GUID E TO A DVENTURES
“Every man ought to be inquisitive through every hour of his great adventure down to the day
when he shall no longer cast a shadow in the sun. For if he dies without a question in his
heart, what excuse is there for his continuance?”
“Life is either a great adventure or nothing” said the blind American author and activist, Helen
Keller. Here at M.J. Bale we think the same - we designed this whole Autumn/Winter 15 collection
around the theme of adventure. But how does a gentleman have one? Here is our big suggestion.
(Step 1)
- Frank Moore Colby
CONTEXT
They say that death and taxes are the only certainties in life,
and, while that’s a maudlin way to look at life, it’s kind of
true. Tibetan Buddhists are fond of meditating on death, as
it is the only real thing we’re guaranteed of in the end. So,
with that in mind, how are you going to live your life, old
boy? Is living your life a gift, or a burden? Are you going to
focus on the bad and hurt, or the good and opportunity? We
say: get the most out of life by treating it like it is one big
adventure (which it is). Don’t look back (you’ll get depressed)
and don’t look forward (you’ll get anxious). Stay in the
present. Be mindful of each waking moment and every
person you come into contact with, and hit the metaphorical
open road of life. “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation
and go to the grave with the song still in them,” said Henry
David Thoreau. Don’t let that be you, mate. Live a little.
(Step 2)
DEFINE ADVENTURE
The definition of an adventure is, to paraphrase from
various dictionaries littered throughout the M.J. Bale
office (yep, we’re a literate bunch here): an exciting or very
unusual experience; participation in exciting undertakings;
bold, risky or hazardous actions. In short, let’s just call an
adventure something bold and exciting. It’s something
made with good intentions (a gentleman never sets out to
harm others via his actions or words, remember) and makes
us feel alive; an adventure makes us feel that our life is filled
with meaning, and that we’re not just little, ineffectual cogs
in the random wheels of life.
(Step 3)
IDENTIFY ADVENTURE
An adventure is not just a physical pursuit, like pushing
off from the coast in a timber dinghy to explore the mating
techniques of naval submariners in the Great Southern
Oceans or to map the receding hairlines of New Guinea
tribesman. An adventure, we think, can be defined as an
exploration - an exploration of the mind, the spirit, the heart
or, yes, something physical. So, with this definition in mind,
here are our suggestions for your next great adventure.
VILAS SHAWL COLLAR CABLE SWEATER $299.00
ANDERSON NAVY SHIRT $149.95
CEVERT NAVY TIE $149.95
TYPES OF
ADVE NT U R E S
BENTINCK BROWN SUIT $899.00
BOAKE NAVY SHIRT $129.95
NEWCOMBE ROSEWOOD SWEATER $169.00
ANGELIS NAVY TIE $149.95
MEGEVE BLUE POCKETCHIEF $29.95
34 | MJBALE.COM
THE MIND
THE SPIRIT
THE HEART
THE BODY
Exploration of the mind, and pushing it to
new heights, is one of the great unheralded
adventures. We’re human after all, and
are lucky enough to be kitted out with
this perfect cerebral tool we call the mind.
Learn new things. Read new books. Go back
to university and become an expert in a
field. Energy and vigour of thought is so
important. Learn how to draw or paint. Do
some acting. Artists have the ability to create
something new and original, and what is life
but the most important art form?
We’re equipped with these things we call
a soul, so let’s use it. One of our favourite
quotes is from the author, George Elliot,
who said, “Adventure is not outside man; it
is within.” True. Learn how to meditate and
practise daily mindfulness. Do some charity
work and use your special abilities to help
another human being in suffering. Just
stay present and be aware of the glory held
within the minutiae of life. Life’s little joys
are there for us to see; open up your eyes
and ‘shirtfront’ life like Abbott and Putin in
a dream face-off.
Love is one of life’s great adventures. It’s
risky and so often can leave you broken and
in tatters when a bold move doesn’t pay off,
but better to try and live a life of love rather
than live life as the Mayor of Negative Town
thinking “if only.” Take a risk and tell that
special person in your life how much they
mean to you. Tell your mate he’s a champion
bloke. Tell your folks or siblings how much
they mean to you. To paraphrase Henry
David Thoreau (see Context), just don’t die
with the music in you.
People might say a physical adventure is
just bad planning, but we disagree. You’re
equipped with a fine physical vehicle (your
body), so use it. Get fit. Push your body to its
limits. Feel the burn. Take off and explore
territories you’ve never been to. Travel and
voyage to different countries and cultures.
The biggest danger in life is to do nothing,
just make sure you plan properly and tell
people where you’re going.
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 35
READY-TO-PACK
READY-TO-PACK
AINSLEY CHARCOAL SHIRT $129.95
BOAKE NAVY SHIRT $129.95
ANDERSON NAVY SHIRT $149.95
ALVARO SKY TIE $129.95
MEGEVE GREY TIE $129.95
MORITZ RED CHECK TIE $129.95
JAOQUIN NAVY/SKY TIE $129.95
HAMILTON RED KNIT TIE $129.95
HAMILTON GREEN KNIT TIE $129.95
NAVY/RED STRIPED SOCKS $19.95
PIRONI GREY/BLUE SCARF $149.95
ALONSO RED SCARF $149.95
LAUDA NAVY SCARF $149.95
36 | MJBALE.COM
PENHALIGONS BAYOLEA EDT 100ML $174.00
VILAS SHAWL COLLAR CABLE KNIT SWEATER $299.00
NEWCOMBE OLIVE SWEATER $169.00
BEULER GREY CABLE KNIT SWEATER $299.00
NEWCOMBE ROSEWOOD SWEATER $169.00
BEULER NAVY CABLE KNIT SWEATER $299.00
NEWCOMBE MARINE SWEATER $169.00
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 37
THE DAVID BONNEY EDIT
THE DAVID BONNEY EDIT
T HE DAV ID BO N N EY EDIT
3.
Stylist David Bonney’s
id
Dav onney
B
BASIC TRAINING
Sportswear is never going away (note: that doesn’t include
baggy-ass trackies and a $10 polar fleece). Every man needs a
few perfectly cut sweatshirts to wear with a t-shirt and chinos,
or simply layer under a cotton suit with sneakers.
TOP 5 SELECTS
from the M.J. Bale Autumn/Winter 2015 collection
ALVAREZ NAVY SWEATSHIRT $129.95
AYRES SAND TROUSER $179.00
1.
THE INFORMAL FORMAL TUX JACKET
The more times you need to front up to a black tie event, the more
options you want in your wardrobe. A less structured wool/cotton/
cashmere blend jacket like this Glasgow in shawl collar will still
look the money with a crisp white shirt, dark suit pants and a bow
tie. It shows imagination and adds some easy to your elegance.
4.
GLASGOW BLUE JACKET $499.00
MALUCA NAVY TROUSER $200.00
OWENS WHITE SHIRT $79.95
MAURICIO NAVY BOW TIE $69.95
WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00
2.
DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
(as displayed by Daimon Downey)
Dressing with confidence doesn’t mean being a victim; it means paying
attention to the details. Open the bottom button on your jacket’s cuffs.
Clash your shirt/tie/pocket square, but keep them tonal. Have a great
haircut and well-groomed beard. People will notice and love you that
little bit more.
LEDGER NAVY JACKET $599.00
THAIGO AQUA SHIRT $99.95
LEROY AQUA TIE $99.95
NAVY CHECK POCKETCHIEF $15.00
38 | MJBALE.COM
TONAL LAYERS
When you want to layer up, look for textures that contrast but
colours that are close in tone. Go all-dark, all-pale or all midtone in intensity. This way you can pile on the warmth without
looking like that guy with dreadlocks that lives in your local
park.
VANDERBILT TOBACCO COAT $499.00
BEULER GREY CABLE SWEATER $299.00
BLIGHT TAUPE SHIRT $129.95
LINWOOD BROWN CHINO $179.00
ALBORETO BLUE SCARF $149.95
5.
3-PIECE GOODNESS
There are so many great 3-piece suits around this season that
every guy can get involved . From straight-up money market
stripes to bolder checks and wool flannel textures. Think clean
lines or dapper double-breasted waistcoats with lapels. Get
dressed up, then take your jacket off and roll your sleeves up to
look like a Boardwalk Empire bad-ass.
THYNNE DENIM SUIT $899.00
THYNNE DENIM DOUBLE-BREASTED WAISTCOAT $299.00
LENNOX SKY SHIRT $79.95
MEGEVE BLUE TIE $129.95
NAVY CHECK POCKETCHIEF $15.00
EDSON TIE CLIP $79.95
AUTUMN | WINTER | 2015 | 39
SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | BRISBANE | CANBERRA | PERTH | ADELAIDE
mjbale.com