Manual Spring 2015 by M.J. Bale

CASSANDRA THOMAS Cassandra Thomas is M.J. Bale’s multi-discipline matriarch, overseeing the brand’s art direction, graphic design, web design, and photography in her role heading up the creative department. The gorgeous and stylish Cass worked in advertising before starting her own design studio. She had a short stint working in Paris in 2013, before coming to her senses and joining M.J. Bale. Besides art directing and designing this issue of The Manual, Cass also photographed the Spring 15 still-life images. She was last seen designing M.J. Bale’s packaging sipping on a well-deserved G & T, her favourite tipple.

LOOK THEN TOUCH M.J. BALE Spring 15 Lookbook

MATT (RIGHT) DESIGNING TIES IN LAKE COMO WITH M.J. BALE’S ROBERTO AND DAN (LEFT)

LETTER from our FOUNDER Welcome to the Spring 2015 issue of our Manual magazine. For all of us across Australia that have endured a relatively cold winter (not really comparable to what our European friends have to endure, you’d have to admit), spring couldn’t come sooner. I live on a farm with my wife and four children in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, and the change of seasons is dramatic. The landscape and earth seems to renew itself in such optimistic fashion, which is a good metaphor for our lives, too. Spring is a great time for us to press the reset button and consider new goals. Words like ‘character’ and ‘integrity’ are important to us here at M.J. Bale. I hope you can see in this issue we embrace these concepts and have a genuine passion for living a life of meaning. In particular, I hope you can spend a few minutes reading through our ‘Mates of M.J. Bale’ feature, where we invited some of our customers into the studio to be photographed and to share their philosophies on living a great life. Two other words – ‘mateship’ and ‘mischief ’ – are the other key pillars we’ve used for this spring campaign. For us as a brand, we really appreciate all of our customers – our ‘mates’ – and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your amazing support and loyalty to M.J. Bale. We do this for you, and we couldn’t do it without you. We get a great deal of pride dressing you and hopefully putting a spring in your step. To date we have 25 stand-alone stores across the country, and we’re opening more in the coming months across Australia. For now, we’re launching an exciting new casual range called ‘M.J.B’ this spring and bringing you some great new products, including leather bags constructed from Italian Vachetta, the highest quality vegetable-tanned leather available. The leather is produced for M.J. Bale by traditional master tanners from Tuscany whose company motto is “Creare richiede tempo e sapere” (“To create requires both time and skill”). We hope you like them as much as we do. In terms of mischief, being able to not take yourself too seriously helps, we think, to keep things real. We’re a pretty boisterous team here at M.J. Bale and staff aren’t afraid to take the mickey out of me to keep my feet on the ground. That’s easy for me to do. I love what we do, and have so much respect for our team and you, our loyal customer. Thanks again for your continued patronage. Hope to see you in store soon. Matt Jensen

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? WANT TO SEE MORE? SCAN HERE TO VIEW THE LOOKBOOK ONLINE

LIFE THE LARK AGES Where To Have a Merry, Carefree Adventure

EMBRACE THE NOW Daily mindfulness for the M.J. Bale man

Working too hard and stressed to the gills? Pining for the old days when good-natured frolicking with mates was the norm, not a rarity?

There is a proverb that says there are four things you can’t ever take

Here are our top five places to get your lark on with the squad.

back: the spoken word, the spent arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity. The spent arrow bit is easiest – do no harm – but saying the wrong thing and regretting the past and potential opportunities you may have let slip are harder to deal with. Here is a little heads-up on how to make the most of things. STAY IN THE PRESENT: You can deal as best you can with the now, but the past and future are completely out of your control. Stay in the moment. If you’re struggling, think about what you have to deal with now, in the next 5 minutes, in the next hour. Break your day down into manageable moments. Remember the maxim: this too shall pass. DON’T FEAR: Think about all the fears you’ve had in your life and how most of those never actually transpired. “When I look back on all these worries,” said Winston Churchill, “I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”

SPAIN: Admittedly, to paraphrase Zoolander, no-one wants to see

ITALY: If you want to just watch without participating, Calcio

AUSTRALIA: Margaret River in southwest Western Australia has

ugly bulls with big horns bothering the nether regions of beautiful

Storico, dubbed ‘the most violent sport on earth’, a brutal, blood-

oodles of sun, some of Australia’s best surf (heard of the Margaret

people, but the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a timeless crew

letting mix between rugby and UFC, takes place once every year

River Pro?), some of the world’s greatest wine (see below) and

classic. Just be careful, big fella.

in Florence. It’s the perfect two-fer: witness up close some sporting

the best locally-grown produce. For the best local chefs that are

ferocity then sip on a few civilised Chiantis later.

considered maestros of their craft, look up then visit Tony Howell, Jake Drachenberg, Russell Blaikie, Brad Hornby and Aaron Carr.

THEY’RE NOT PROBLEMS, JUST SITUATIONS: “Ultimately... there are no problems,” wrote Eckhart Toll in The Power of Now. “Only situations - to be dealt with now, or to be left alone and accepted as part of the ‘isness’ of the present moment until they change or can be dealt with. Problems are mind-made and need time to survive. They cannot survive in the actuality of the Now. Focus your attention on the Now.” AVOID FOOT-IN-MOUTH DISEASE: When we say the wrong thing, something we regret, it’s usually because we’ve spoken to break the unease of silence or used a negative emotion to express an impulsedriven thought because something threatened our ego. A simple pause before speaking – a breath – is enough to stay mindful of the moment and avoid knee-jerk reactions. Suck it back and stay in the clear. YOU’RE IN CONTROL: The Buddhists believe Samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death and suffering, happens because we don’t control our emotions, letting other people and situations dictate how we feel about ourselves. Said Epictetus: “Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.” Nobody puts baby in the corner except you, baby.

GREEK ISLANDS: We’re not sure how this whole Greece debt crisis

NEW ZEALAND: You can go bungee jumping in Queenstown or

AUSTRALIA (CONTINUED): Since you’re heading to Margaret

will affect cruising taxes or mooring rates, but with thousands of

simply just grab a bunch of mates and walk through downtown

River, jot down the names of these small-batch wineries and

different islands and an ocean temperature that feels like the bath

Auckland on Saturday night in Wallaby jerseys. If Kiwis were ever

make them a priority: Pierro, Wills Domain, Fraser Gallop Estate,

water of a saint, Greece is still one of the best places on earth to

hung for their love of our national rugby team they’d die innocent.

Woodlands, Edwards Wines, Thompson Estate and Clairault. If

hireSANTORINI, a yacht and go sailing. GREECE

On that note, don’t ever mention the Trevor Chappell ‘underarm’

you can make it to Adelaide, Penfolds’ Magill Estate and Henschke

ball of 1981.

in Keyneton are world class. Grange (Penfolds) and Hill of Grace (Henschke) are Aussie icons.

COTTON WAGNER KNIT $199.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON FOX CHINO $129.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) CANVAS MONZA BELT $129.95

MERINO WOOL SPIRE SUIT $995.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON PESENTI BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95 SILK VINTAGE M.J. BALE TIE PRICELESS ELLIS TIE CLIP $79.95 COTTON RED POCKETCHIEF $15.00

MERINO WOOL ACLOQUE JACKET $599.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) MERINO WOOL ACLOQUE TROUSER $299.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON OWENS BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95 SILK THIBAULT 5 FOLD TIE $159.95 WOOL VALDAORA POCKETCHIEF $29.95 LEATHER MESSI BELT $99.95

MERINO WOOL ECO WASHED INGLEWOOD JACKET $499.00 (IN-STORE OCTOBER) COTTON WAGNER KNIT $199.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON ARIZONA T SHIRT $59.95 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON CHICAGO JEANS $169.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER)

MERINO WOOL HAROLD JACKET $499.00 MERINO WOOL HAROLD TROUSER $199.00 COTTON BIRRIEN SHIRT $129.95 SILK CARONA TIE $99.95 LINEN WOLFGANG POCKETCHIEF $39.95 LEATHER MESSI BELT $99.95

MERINO WOOL BENSERADE SUIT $899.00 COTTON GOLDMAN SHIRT $99.95 SILK CARONA TIE $99.95 WOOL GARDENA POCKETCHIEF $39.95

MERINO WOOL RONSARD JACKET $499.00 (IN-STORE OCTOBER) COTTON DALLAS POLO $69.95 (IN-STORE NOVEMBER) COTTON FOX CHINO $129.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) SILK / COTTON WARLOW POCKETCHIEF $29.95

MERINO WOOL HAROLD JACKET $499.00 MERINO WOOL HAROLD TROUSER $199.00 COTTON DOTREMONT SHIRT $99.95 SILK CARONA TIE $99.95 SILK MOZART POCKETCHIEF $39.95 LEATHER MESSI BELT $99.95

MERINO WOOL STRATHMORE JACKET $599.00 COTTON GOLDMAN SHIRT $99.95 COTTON DOUGLAS CHINO $129.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) WOOL VALDAORA POCKETCHIEF $29.95 LEATHER ADELAIDE WOVEN BELT $149.95

MERINO WOOL MONTGOMERIE TUXEDO $995.00 COTTON RAMINI TUXEDO SHIRT $149.95 WOOL SELF TIE BOW TIE $99.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

MERINO WOOL COMINO TUXEDO $995.00 COTTON TERMAO WING COLLAR SHIRT $149.95 LORDE TUX SHIRT STUDS $19.95 SILK MAURICIO BOW TIE $69.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

“Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not.” – OSCAR WILDE

COTTON VELVET MIDNIGHT RAVENSCROFT JACKET $499.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON COCTEAU SHIRT $99.95 MERINO WOOL MALUCA TROUSER $200.00 SILK MAURICIO BOW TIE $69.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

Nº.

M.J.’S SPRING SELECTS

WOOL GEOFFREY JACKET $599.00 COTTON GRENIER SHIRT $99.95

Here are M.J. Bale’s favourite edits from the collection to hit spring like a sartorial king.

ant to put together your own spring edit? Here’s some sartorial inspiration to get you started. Feature pieces include a spring racing-ready bold check suit, a midnight navy velvet dinner jacket with shawl lapel, a dusty pastel red patch-pocket blazer and our signature, heavywashed lightweight denim shirts.

SILK MAURICIO TIE $79.95

WOOL CHATTON JACKET (SOLD AS SUIT) $995.00

COTTON BIROT SHIRT $99.95

WOOL EGLINTON JACKET $599.00

SILK MAURICIO POCKETCHIEF $29.95

COTTON LEVET SHIRT $149.95

WOOL EGLINTON TROUSER $299.00

SILK VALTORA TIE $99.95

WOOL CHATTON TROUSER (SOLD AS SUIT) $995.00

WOOL SENALES POCKETCHIEF $29.95

Nº.

DENIM CHICAGO JEANS $169.00

SILK MAURICIO BOW TIE $69.95 COTTON COCTEAU SHIRT $99.95

COTTON LUDWIG SHIRT $99.95

WOOL GEOFFREY JACKET $599.00

COTTON WHITE POCKETCHIEF $15.00

COTTON VELVET RAVENSCROFT JACKET $499.00

COTTON FOX CHINO $129.00

SILK MENDES POCKETCHIEF $39.95

COTTON DALLAS POLO $69.95

WOOL MALUCA TROUSER $200.00

WOOL STRATHMORE JACKET $599.00

WOOL RONSARD JACKET $499.00 COTTON GOLDMAN SHIRT $99.95

WOOL VALDAORA POCKETCHIEF $29.95

LEATHER ADELAIDE BELT $149.95

COTTON FOX CHINO $129.00

COTTON DOUGLAS CHINO $129.00

LEATHER ADELAIDE BELT $149.95

PACK MAN

Law of... THE LOUD BLAZER

What to pack for the 72-hour business trip PLANNING

NO RAINBOW WARRIORS

The objective is to travel light, not foolishly. Make a mental checklist:

If you’re going to wear a loud blazer, you don’t want to go overboard

where am I travelling? What is the climate like at my destination?

with a saturation of colours and look like some kind of clown

How much socialising is required? Think about your shoes, jackets

specialising in children’s parties. Simplify the palette upstairs (wear

and shirts and identify what ones can double up for both day and

a plain coloured shirt) and downstairs (same goes for your trousers).

night.

Pare it all back and let the jacket be the biggest personality in the room.

PREPARATION For three days you will need business (day) and semi-formal (night)

NO DASH WITH CLASH

clothes, as well as maybe some clothes for the gym (best intentions?).

This is not the time to wear shirts or trousers with stripes or competing

Choose an all-purpose and versatile business suit, preferably

loud patterns. Simplicity is key.

one in navy. For nights take two pairs of cotton trousers, and one unstructured jacket. For the gym, pack whatever floats your boat.

OWN IT A statement jacket requires a big internal declaration from you: “I

IN-SITU

want this blazer. I deserve this blazer. I am this bright, bubbly, out-

You’ve unpacked your bag after the flight and the previously freshly-

there blazer.”

pressed suit is looking anything but. Lucky it’s made from Merino wool. Suits made from superfine Australian Merino wool are the

CAVEAT This is not the jacket you wear to court or funerals. Party time only.

easiest to clean – just pop them on a hanger and turn on the shower COTTON WAGNER KNIT $199.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON CHICAGO DENIM $169.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER)

in your hotel room for 5-10 minutes. The steam quickly draws out any odours from the natural fibre and the jacket will bounce back to

COTTON DALLAS POLO $69.95 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER)

pristine condition. Too easy.

How to... WEAR SPRING KNITS

The... POLO PRINCIPLES TO POP OR NOT TO POP

HIGH ROLLER Roll or push up the sleeves for spring (give those pasty forearms a taste of daylight).

Don’t even think about ‘popping’ the collar, even if it really is “to cover my neck from the sun.” BUTTON

SHIRTLESS Wear your knit sans shirt (unless you perspire like a madman, in which case feel free to don a singlet).

Leave at least half of the buttons undone (if odd number of buttons, leave half plus one unbuttoned.) TUCK SHOP

FIBRE PLUS Make sure spring knit fabric isn’t too thick and of good quality — lightweight Merino wool or cotton will do it.

Sleeves should be tight around the guns (biceps) without popping a blood vessel. Never tuck your polo in, you’re not an American tourist. PANTSMAN

SHUN THE GUN SHOW Knitwear should be a relaxed fit… avoid tight knits that show COTTON HAULANI JACKET $499.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON BUSON SHIRT $149.95 COTTON BOSTON DENIM $169.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) LEATHER ADELAIDE WOVEN BELT $129.95

off how much you’ve been working out (save that for summer).

Polos can be worn with either shorts or pants, but just be careful not to overdo it with too much colour.

M.J. BALE’S SUIT ETIQUETTE 101

Respect...

DECONSTRUCTED TAILORING

The suit represents one of our most important wardrobe investments, if worn properly and with the correct etiquette, is a tool of masculine empowerment. Here are the basics every man should know.

WHAT IT IS

DON’T MESS AROUND IN BUSINESS

Relaxed tailoring is another way of looking good when you’re not at work. It’s the alternative to baggy cargo shorts and dad sandals.

In many work environments, particularly creative ones, it’s now totally acceptable to dress casually for work. However, if your job requires you to be ‘suited and booted’, it always pays to err on the side of caution. That means a half- or full-canvassed wool suit in either sensible block colours (navy or grey - leave black for more formal occassions) or a pinstripe for those that want to live a little. A classically styled tie in 7 or 8cm (no cartoon characters or ‘novelty’ ties) and a pair of well-made oxford or toe-cap brogue shoes in either black or dark brown. Save the jewellery, rings etc. for private time. As American clothier Paul Stuart once said: “A proper function of the business suit is to offer a man decent privacy so that irrelevant reactions are not called into play to prejudice what should be purely business transactions.”

OPTION TAKING

Relaxed tailoring options include a sports coat and wool trouser or a deconstructed jacket with cotton chinos: think understated Brit rather than Ivy League college guy. WORN-EY

Your jacket should have patch pockets and fit comfortably — not too tight — and look as if it’s worn often. Colours should be neutral or soft palettes. SHOE IN

Relaxed tailoring calls for slightly more relaxed footwear. Leave the black oxfords in the boardroom. Some options we recommend are a classic tennis shoe or trainer in white canvas or a leather driving shoe.

MERINO WOOL JELLOUN SUIT $899.00 COTTON KNELLER SHIRT $129.95 SILK MADESIMO TIE $129.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

Rules of...

SPRING RACING DRESSING QUINELLA

A good rule of thumb is one on, two off (i.e one loud thing on, two off to counteract it). I.e. Loud suit, soft shirt and tie. RULE BOOK

Don’t wear a bow tie... ever. Wear socks, always. Colours are accepted. Over the top patterns are best avoided. Don’t coordinate tie with pocket chief. Sunglasses are ok, but should not be worn inside or hung on your breast pocket (go to the cricket if you want to wear them on your head). GET FIT

Make sure your suit fits. If you don’t know, either look in the mirror or ask an educated but objective third party. Don’t be afraid to try lightweight fabrics for your suit (making or losing money in the ring can cause excess perspiration). FORGO THE FUNERAL LOOK MERINO WOOL RONSARD JACKET $499.00 (IN-STORE OCTOBER) LINEN MAROT SHIRT $149.95 COTTON BOSTON JEANS $169.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER) COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

Lose the black suit and white shoe look. This is not the day for it. HOOVES

Wear clean, polished shoes in either dark brown or black. They go with most suits and are always a winner (even if you’re not).

achieved, work with your clothier on the suit silhouette, which is the shape or ‘cut’ the jacket makes around your waist. You don’t want the jacket to be too shapeless (boxy) or severe (too tight): somewhere in the middle is the ‘golden spot’, a silhouette that shows off the best parts of your frame, while minimising anything unseemly. Alterations to a suit cost a little up front, but pay off big for the life of the suit. FORMAL DRESS CHEAT SHEET Formal engagements are one of the rare occasions where we are usually given strict, rigid rules of dress. As long as you have a wellmade, well-tailored dinner suit with a self-tie bowtie, you will always stand out as a well-dressed gentleman within the black-tie crowd. If, however, you are caught short at the last moment and don’t have a dinner suit, a single-button navy woollen suit with crisp white shirt and navy silk or woollen knitted tie will suffice.

THE SUIT BUTTON RULE

If you’re wearing a more common two-button suit, only fasten the top one. When arriving at work or a social engagement, keep the top button done up on the two-button suit, leaving the bottom button open. The top button closed on your two-button jacket will create a good silhouette for your figure (which is the purpose of a suit jacket). On a three-button or 2/3 roll suit the bottom button is really there as a visual effect, and should never be closed. The simple-stupid rule to remember concerning which buttons to do up or not is: ‘Rarely, Always, Never’. That means for the top button, do it up ‘Rarely; Middle button – ‘Always’; Bottom button – ‘Never’ Traditionally the moment to completely unbutton was determined by etiquette (take the lead from your host), but common sense dictates it is the moment you feel relaxed, or when sitting down to eat. LAW OF THE OPEN-COLLARED SHIRT AND SUIT Unless you want to look like a greyhound trainer on the winner’s podium, always tuck the lapels of your collar within your suit jacket – never leave them flapping outside the collar. Also, when wearing an open collared shirt with a suit, always tuck your shirt in. Always. ABIDE BY THE SILHOUETTE

As every man’s body is shaped differently, it’s rare to pull a suit ‘offthe-rack’ and expect it to fit perfectly. The whole point of tailoring is to adapt the suit to your physical strengths and weaknesses, making the thicker man look slim, the wiry man look stronger and so forth. The three things to look for when purchasing a suit are fit across shoulders and chest, freedom of movement for arms and length of suit (it should just cover the curve of the ‘seat’). Once these are

(LEFT) MERINO WOOL GARNEAU SUIT $995.00 (IN-STORE OCTOBER), COTTON BRENDAN SHIRT $99.95 (IN-STORE OCTOBER), SILK VINTAGE M.J. BALE TIE $PRICELESS, COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00 (MIDDLE) MERINO WOOL SPIRE SUIT $995.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER), COTTON DOTREMONT SHIRT $99.95, SILK VINTAGE M.J. BALE TIE $PRICELESS, COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00 (RIGHT) MERINO WOOL HANSEN SUIT $995.00 (IN-STORE OCTOBER), COTTON CLOVE BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95, SILK VINTAGE M.J. BALE TIE PRICELESS, COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

MATES OF M.J. BALE Earlier this year we asked our customers to nominate a ‘stellar fella’, a mate who selflessly gives his all and never asks for anything in return. Here is a snapshot of these ‘mates’ and their stories. Go to www.mjbale.com for the entire transcript.

ALBERTO DA GRAVA & JACKI VALK JACKI: I love to dance salsa and have taught dancing for 10 years. I met Alberto on the dance floor. The

JACOB SALVATORI (RIGHT) & LUKE GRAHAM

fact that he asked to dance with me

JACOB: Luke is an absolute machine. He’s got the hardest work ethic of

and very giving. And then he did

was nice. That’s always the sign of a true gentleman. He was very polite lots of turns! Alberto definitely has

any man I’ve ever met in my life. He has stuck his neck out for me that

charm, but he is loving, caring and

many times. Luke’s always the first person to help anyone when they want

dedicated.

help. He cracks the shits sometimes at people, but he’s always there when you need him.

ALBERTO: Jacki… She’s very, very simple. Oh, simple is not a

LUKE: I was once told in business life by a mentor of mine that there

good word? Ok, well, Jacki, she’s

are plenty of sharks in the ocean, so you might as well stand out and

a fantastic woman, a fantastic girl.

be something different. A big part [of who I am] came from my dad

She’s very generous and loving.

and the way that he raised my siblings and myself. Dad came from a very modest, working class background. He was a labourer and by the time I was in my teens he was managing a company, a waste company in Newcastle, actually. I watched the way that he behaved the whole time I was growing up. He always maintained honesty and integrity. People that didn’t have honesty and integrity [may have] succeeded quicker than he

JACOB (RIGHT) WEARS: MERINO WOOL INVERELL JACKET $399.00 MERINO WOOL INVERELL TROUSER $200.00 COTTON PESENTI BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95 SILK VINTAGE M.J. BALE TIE $PRICELESS COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

did, but then they fell a lot quicker than he did as well. I saw that it was a good sustainable way to not only feel good about how you behave in life but also to make sure you’re passing on good karma as well.

LUKE WEARS: MERINO WOOL PACKER SUIT $699.00 COTTON OWENS BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95 SILK CARDOSO POCKETCHIEF $39.95 LEATHER MESSI BELT $99.95

To me I think being a gentleman means having a bit of everything. Obviously,

character

very

important. Integrity is fundamental. Being someone that walks the walk is an essential ingredient of being a gentleman. But also the way you present… dressing well is another fundamental key of being a gentleman.

ALBERTO WEARS: MERINO WOOL INVERELL JACKET $399.00 MERINO WOOL INVERELL TROUSER $200.00 COTTON ETHEREAL SHIRT $99.95 SILK DUBOIS TIE $129.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

MICK COLLIS (LEFT) & BRIAN MAGUIRE

MICK (LEFT) WEARS: MERINO WOOL CUSTOM SUIT FROM $995.00 COTTON OWENS BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95 SILK VINTAGE M.J. BALE TIE $PRICELESS WOOL SENALES POCKETCHIEF $29.95 BRIAN WEARS: MERINO WOOL MAITLAND JACKET $399.00 MERINO WOOL MAITLAND TROUSER $200.00 COTTON ETHEREAL SHIRT $99.95 SILK MATHIAS TIE $79.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

PETER WILSON

MICK: Brian went water-skiing one

BRIAN: Mick has always been a great

day and then we started pre-season

mate. When my father died years ago,

[for rugby]. He was complaining about

Mick was in Perth. He didn’t have

having a sore neck, but kept training.

much money. He was doing what he

He went to see the specialist and it turns

usually does, just trying to do things

out he had crushed one vertebra, broken

a little bit differently, which is what

the other one, and was in a cast that

makes him tick. But he just turned up.

afternoon for the next 3 months. That

I wasn’t expecting him and he said,

didn’t work, so they decided to operate

‘I wouldn’t have thought of doing

and they fused his neck together, using

anything else and that’s just what we

two vertebrae from a bone out of his hip.

do.’ You just remember those sort

He spent six months in plaster in two lots

of things. That’s what I think is the

of three months. He was 15. He wasn’t

core of the character of mates. What

supposed to do contact sport again for

defines character? I think it’s a couple

obvious reasons but Brian was always a

of things like being proud without

very talented player and at 22, much to

being pompous, being considerate

his mother’s disgust, he came back and

without being condescending, and

started playing rugby again. He ended

being honest without being inflexible.

up playing half a dozen years in first

I think honesty is the key to everything

grade which for me was inspiring. I was

and being persistent and true to

very proud to see him go through that,

your values. I think everyone has a

against all advice and want to fulfill that

foundation core – what makes them

desire. It was great to see him play first

tick – and if you’re true to that then

grade, which is something that I never

you really can’t go wrong.

got to do.

If you haven’t got the courage to take a chance at something then you may never know, and I suppose that’s a perfect example of what I did. A lot of people live in a rut. They get up at eight o’clock in the morning, they go to work by nine, and they get home at six and have dinner and go to bed. It’s the same routine every day of their lives. I always swore that would never be my routine. I suppose when I was doing all my races, the courage to be able to put yourself out there for someone else is always going to be something I’ll always look to and always instil in my daughter. It’s about taking a chance. I didn’t PETER WEARS: MERINO WOOL INVERELL JACKET $399.00 MERINO WOOL INVERELL TROUSER $200.00 COTTON OWENS BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95 SILK GRAVIRA TIE $99.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

know I would be any good in the

SEAN WEARS: MERINO WOOL OXLEY JACKET $399.00 MERINO WOOL OXLEY WAISTCOAT $200.00 MERINO WOOL OXLEY TROUSER $200.00 COTTON ETHEREAL SHIRT $99.95 SILK ODILION 5 FOLD TIE $159.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

SEAN THOMAS (LEFT) & MITCH SEAN: Whoever said that the dog is man’s best friend must have been talking about my Mitch. I love this guy. He’s the most loyal and consistent friend I have. He’s always happy to see me at the end of the day; he never tells me I need to work out more; he loves it when I take him out, but is happier to go to the park rather than an expensive restaurant or café; he sleeps on the end of my bed but never nicks the doona in the middle of the night; and he never ditches me for a night out with another dog. In fact, I once had a girl over at my place that Mitch took a disliking to. He barked at her so hard. I found out later that she was not a good person. She was only after me for my NBA card collection. MITCH: Woof. Woof woof woof ! Woof woof woof woof woof. Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof !!!

fundraising or the not-for-profit industry and I suppose I’ve made a good grasp of it to this day, fingers crossed.

THE

STEWART DODWELL (LEFT) & DOUGAL BOWMAN

ANATOMY

STEWART: Dougal’s a stellar fella. He’s as genuine

of a

as you can get. He’s as hard as nails, farm tough: the guy that keeps the wheels of Australia turning. He’s

GOOD MATE

got a wife, Anna, and four kids and asks for nothing but gives his all. If he was down to his last $4.80 at the Molong Pub and a mate comes in off the header dry as a chip he’d offer to buy him a schooner. He’s

A GOOD MATE HAS...

bloody unreal. DOUGAL: It can get a bit tough in the bush and we like to help each other out and the land can almost build strength and character in a person. We all work pretty hard and it’s a good life for our family and kids, but sometimes we fall on tough times through monetary or environmental issues. You go through STEWART (LEFT) WEARS: MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS JACKET $599.00 MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS TROUSER $250.00 COTTON CONALL BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95 SILK BECHI TIE $129.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00 DOUGAL WEARS: MERINO WOOL NORWOOD JACKET $399.00 MERINO WOOL NORWOOD TROUSER $200.00 COTTON ETHEREAL SHIRT $99.95 SILK BRUCKNER TIE $129.95 WOOL VALDAORA POCKETCHIEF $29.95

the bad times and the good times. You see both ends of the stick, which I guess inherently shows you what life is all about and makes you appreciate life in general. But we’re always there to have a chat and

A GOOD HEART Doesn’t call before 10am on a weekend if he knows you’ve been out the night before; is sympathetic when your footy team loses; is there for you when your dog dies; remembers your daughter’s birthday

GOOD BRAINS Is smart enough to not let you carry on like a palooka if you’re out of order and will give you some honest and well-deserved criticism; knows more than you do but would never hold it over you; remembers every line to films like The Big Lebowski, Boogie Nights, Anchorman and Old School and has a talent for being able to quote from them in the exact appropriate moment

just joke around with mates to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Integrity is having honesty with

LONG ARMS

everyone, I suppose, but with yourself especially. Just being true to your word and not putting up a show

Will reach for his wallet often and easily (a best mate doesn’t have short, ’T-Rex’ arms); can smack a golf, tennis, cricket or ping pong ball with aplomb

just to get you somewhere.

GOOD CHAT CHARLES DAVIDSON (RIGHT) & DAVID DAVIDSON

Has the gift of the gab, but never runs off his mouth; knows what to say, and when to say it; speaks well of people behind their back

CHARLIE (in his original letter to M.J.Bale): I am writing to you today, to call upon my late grandfather, Francis Michael Davidson (OBE), represented by my father, David Michael Davidson, to be considered for Mates of M.J. Bale and to have

AGILE LEGS

his incredible story of his involvement in Australian agriculture told… so that the people of today understand the sacrifices,

To give you a swift kick up the bum when you need it; is good on his feet in awkward situations, like when you’ve put your foot in your mouth for the umpteenth time that night; can dance like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction; loves a kick of the footy at the park

the hardship and the never-ending work that has gone into this great industry that drives Australia.

A MISCHIEVOUS SPIRIT

DAVID: [Dad] exemplified the fact of a very quiet achiever who held everybody in high esteem, [a man] who could speak to prime ministers and rural employees in the same sentence with the same generosity and sincerity. He was a genuine farmer himself and a genuine giver of his time. Dad was a gentleman. He was a person who was always good company. He was a person who hated conflict or animosity between people. This is why he made such a good person as a chairman or President of the associations he was in. He brought people together. He found a way through solutions. He was non-confrontational in everything he did, and that went from dealing with sheepdogs to union bosses. He just left us a fine example. We instil in our children the importance of looking up to people, particularly those that you respect. And those people that you respect work out the reasons why. And make sure that you know why those people have such an influence on you. 30

DAVID WEARS: MERINO WOOL LAUDERDALE SUIT $899.00 COTTON OWENS BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95 SILK TAMANGO TIE $129.95 WOOL POCKETCHIEF $15.00 CHARLIE WEARS: MERINO WOOL MALUCA JACKET $399.00 MERINO WOOL MALUCA TROUSER $200.00 COTTON ETHEREAL SHIRT $99.95 SILK APRICA TIE $99.95 COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

Will take you out for a night on the town every now and then to clear the cobwebs; is the life of the party and knows how to throw a bellringer of a shindig, but is the last man standing (and coherent); has soul in spades, and a twinkle in his eye

A STRONG BACK Will lift you up when you’re down and can carry you if you’re having a rough time and feel you can’t go on (but will never breathe a word of it to another)

MADE-TO-MEASURE

SUITS

*Mention you saw this page in our Manual to get a complimentary made-to-measure shirt with your next made-to-measure suit purchase 32

MADE-TO-MEASURE

SHIRTS

Customers can book an appointment for the Made-to-Measure suit or shirt service by contacting: custom@mjbale.com 33

WEDDING VOWS M.J. BALE’S WEDDING VOW (TO YOU) We, M.J. Bale, take thee (to be our cherished client for your big day); To have and to hold (you in great esteem and dress you and your groomsmen in impeccably tailored clothes); For better or worse (we can tailor suits to accentuate your positives and limit the negatives); For richer or poorer (we can work within your budget); In sickness and in health (if you fall down before the big day and are bed ridden, yes, of course, we can courier the suit to you) To love and to cherish (we love weddings and we love you, big guy); Till death do us part (well, let’s not get too emotional; we want your repeat patronage); In the name of the Father (your dad will be so proud of you in our wedding suits), the Son (look after your suit well and one day your son could wear it – don’t go overboard with the dry cleaning) and the Holy Spirit (“Well, don’t you just look DIVINE,” your mother-in-law will say); Amen (amen to all that, buddy – just come and see us; we’ve got a sneaky whisky in the cupboard for you and your groomsmen).

(LEFT) COTTON ETHEREAL SHIRT $99.95, MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS TROUSER $200.00 (SECOND LEFT) MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS JACKET $399.00 COTTON ETHEREAL SHIRT $99.95, MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS TROUSER $200.00, SILK MAURICIO TIE $79.95, COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00 (MIDDLE) MERINO WOOL DEFOE TUXEDO $995.00, COTTON RAMINI TUXEDO SHIRT $149.95, SILK MAURICIO BOW TIE $69.95, COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00 (SECOND RIGHT) MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS DB JACKET $599.00 (IN-STORE DECEMBER,) COTTON OWENS BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95, SILK APRICA TIE $99.95, MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS TROUSER $299.00, COTTON, POCKETCHIEF $15.00 (RIGHT) MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS WAISTCOAT $199.00, COTTON OWENS BLUE LABEL SHIRT $79.95, MERINO WOOL SAUNDERS TROUSER $299.00

UNDER THE LEATHER Here’s a sneak peek at our new limited edition leather bag collection, constructed from Tuscan Vachetta leather. We’re releasing these handsome fellows in-store from this October. Numbers are limited. To pre-order email priscilla@mjbale.com LEATHER KENNEDY BAG $799.00 (IN-STORE OCTOBER)

CANVAS KENNEDY BAG $349.00 (IN-STORE OCTOBER)

SOFT LEATHER BURKE BRIEFCASE $499.00 (IN-STORE OCTOBER)

WOOL DOBBICAO POCKETCHIEF $39.95 WOOL SENALES POCKETCHIEF $39.95 WOOL WINTERBERG POCKETCHIEF $29.95 LINEN MOZART POCKETCHIEF $39.95

LINEN MAURITIUS TIE $129.95 LINEN PARASOLE TIE $129.95 LINEN MAURITIUS TIE $129.95 LINEN PARASOLE TIE $129.95 LINEN MAURITIUS TIE $129.95

WOOL HAWTHORN SCARF $149.95 COTTON / SILK DONZEL SCARF $149.95

SUEDE PARKES BELT $89.00 COTTON CHICAGO JEANS $169.00 (IN-STORE SEPTEMBER)

LEATHER CORBIN KEY POUCH $99.95 LEATHER CAMILLE WALLET $149.00

COTTON BUSON SHIRT $149.95 LINEN COTIS SHIRT $99.95 COTTON MIDTOWN SHIRT $129.95

LEATHER LEURA BELT $99.95 LEATHER LEURA BELT $99.95

COTTON ARMITAGE BOXER SHORT $29.95 COTTON ARMITAGE BOXER SHORT $29.95 COTTON KALMUS BOXER SHORT $29.95 COTTON ARMITAGE BOXER SHORT $29.95 COTTON HUMPHRY BOXER SHORT $29.95

PIGLET SILVER CUFFLINK $99.95

PENHALIGON’S LOTHAIR 100ML $279.00

COTTON BELLAY SHIRT $129.95 COTTON GOLDMAN SHIRT $99.95 COTTON BIRRIEN SHIRT $129.95

PENHALIGON’S SARTORIAL 100ML $189.00

SUEDE PARKES BELT $89.00 SUEDE NEAPOLITAN BELT $129.95 SUEDE NEAPOLITAN BELT $129.95

PINK ROUND CUFFLINKS $99.95

SILK ODILION 5 FOLD TIE $159.95 SILK CARONA TIE $99.95

MERINO WOOL CHATTON SUIT $995.00 COTTON GRENIER SHIRT $99.95 SILK VINTAGE M.J. BALE TIE $PRICELESS COTTON POCKETCHIEF $15.00

One store to rule them all:

MARTIN PLACE We’re extremely excited to launch our new Sydney city flagship store this coming summer at Martin Place, the harbour town’s new ‘piazza’. Architect and designer, Mandy Edge, is putting together a freshly-minted design concept (see below) and we’re all fired up to launch this beautiful new store. For more information and updates on our launch date visit: mjbale.com/martinplace

Fully-enclosed V.i.p Dressing Room for custom tailoring, whisky and banter

Ready-to-Wear for men that are ready to rumble

THE

NATIONAL PARTY

From Adelaide to Melbourne and Sydney, on to Brisbane, Perth and Canberra, we’ve opened new stores and hosted some hangoverinducing shindigs over the last six months.

Made-to-Measure area to individualise your suits and shirts

Special Business Section with Gordon Gekko-worthy shirts and ties

Contemporary collections for the coolios

M.J. BALE STORES

Where to find us. Come and let us Bale you up. NEW SOUTH WALES

QUEENSLAND

Queen Street Woollahra Westfield Bondi Westfield Sydney QVB Sydney Chifley Plaza Sydney Macquarie Centre Westfield Miranda Westfield Parramatta Birkenhead Point Outlet DFO Homebush

Wintergarden Brisbane Indooroopilly DFO Brisbane Airport

(02) 9327 6602

(02) 9388 0499 (02) 8246 9169 (02) 9261 2351 (02) 9232 6240 (02) 9888 5470 (02) 9524 7652 (02) 9687 9284 (02) 9819 7899 (02) 9746 1534

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Canberra Centre

(02) 6262 5245

VICTORIA George Parade Melbourne Emporium Melbourne 500 Collins Street Melbourne Chadstone Chapel Street Westfield Doncaster DFO South Wharf DFO Essendon DFO Moorabbin

(03) 9662 4589 (03) 9654 4054 (03) 9826 9544 (03) 9564 7911 (03) 9620 1470 (03) 9848 2756 (03) 9099 1206 (03) 9374 2230 (03) 9583 9921

(07) 3210 2929 (07) 3720 1485 (04) 7570 7980

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Rundle Street Adelaide

(08) 8232 6884

WESTERN AUSTRALIA St Georges Terrace Perth Enex 100 Perth

(08) 9322 4703 (Opening Sept)

MYER STORES MYER Sydney MYER Bondi MYER Chatswood MYER Melbourne MYER Doncaster MYER Chadstone MYER Brisbane MYER Carindale MYER Perth MYER Karrinyup MYER Adelaide MYER Macquarie

(02) 9233 7326 (02) 9369 2865 (02) 9419 3462 (03) 9654 2692 (03) 8848 3100 (03) 9567 6264 (07) 3232 0121 (07) 3843 7108 (08) 9225 6705 (08) 9446 4810 (08) 8231 5864 (Opening Sept)

BESPOKE CORPORATE STYLING Elegant uniforms that aren’t uniform

FROM YOUR CONCIERGE TO SALES STAFF, STRIKER TO FULLBACK AND CHEF TO WAITER, M.J. BALE’S BESPOKE CORPORATE STYLING DEPARTMENT CAN DRESS YOUR TEAM. WE OFFER OUR SERVICE FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. WE’VE WORKED WITH THE SOCCEROOS, THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM AND A WHO’S WHO OF AUSTRALIA’S FINEST CORPORATIONS AND HOSPITALITY VENUES. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO AND CAN OFFER YOU A PERSONALISED SERVICE TO HAVE YOUR BUSINESS LOOKING AND FEELING SHARP. FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES INTO OUR BESPOKE CORPORATE STYLING SERVICE PLEASE CONTACT NICKY MAIHI. NICKY@MJBALE.COM

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.” - Dr. Seuss

THE MISCHIEVOUS LARKS of a WELL-DRESSED GENTLEMAN

mjbale.com