Calibre (menswear)

Calibre is a multi-channel Australian menswear and fashion label launched in 1989 by founder Gary Zecevic. Calibre's aesthetic specialises in tailored suiting, casual wear and menswear accessories with an urban design edge.[1]

Calibre Clothing
Privately held company
IndustryFashion, Retail
Founded1989
FounderGary Zecevic
HeadquartersMelbourne,
Victoria
ProductsMenswear
Websitewww.calibre.com.au

History

With 12 years of experience working in retail in Melbourne, Gary decided to begin his own label, opening his first Calibre store in 1989 in South Yarra, Melbourne. He was inspired to create a unique silhouette that was instantly recognisable as Calibre, one that was slim to the body, but still comfortable. Three years later, Zecevic opened his second Melbourne store, and soon after two Sydney stores. By 1997, Calibre was being exported to the US and Asia, appearing in high-end stores such as Barney's in New York, Fred Segal in LA and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong. Exports ceased in the early 2000s to focus on the Australian market. In 2006, The Australian speculated the company was turning over nearly $20 million. The first Calibre concession store opened in David Jones in 2009, and their online store, calibre.com.au was launched in 2011.[2]

Present Day

Calibre now has 17 stores and 8 concessions in David Jones stores nationally, as well as an online store that ships both domestically and internationally.[3] The head office is currently situated in Melbourne, Australia.

Awards

Calibre won the 2015 Vogue Fashion Laureate award for Best Menswear.[4] Calibre founder Gary Zecevic won the GQ Australian Men of the Year award for Fashion in 2007.[5]

Runway

Calibre has appeared on many runways since its beginning, notably:

  • David Jones AW and SS previews (Calibre was asked to close the David Jones SS09 runway to mark their 20-year anniversary)
  • Melbourne Spring Fashion Week[6]
  • Mercedes Benz Sydney Fashion Week Australia[7]
  • Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (previously L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival)[8]

Campaigns

In 2008, the photographer Terry Richardson shot the Spring/Summer campaign with model Chad White. In 2011, Calibre shot their Spring/Summer campaign in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, taking inspiration from the colours of the landscape.[9] Acting Up Downtown was the campaign for Calibre's Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, featuring Russian Model Vladimir Ivanov, and shot in New York City. Calibre launched their first collection of underwear with their campaign labelled "The Briefing", which featured a series of videos starring Brazilian model Diego Miguel. This campaign was labelled as "the sexiest underwear ad since Calvin Klein" by the Daily Telegraph.[10]

In March 2020, Calibre launched #storiesnotcampaign, featuring men who are not professional models but whose stories resonate with the brand’s message. Some of the individuals featured include the interior designer Leo Terrando and DJ Grant Smillie.[11]

Customers

Notable celebrities who have worn Calibre include Hugh Jackman,[12] Jason Dundas,[13] Scott Tweedie[14] and James Tobin.[15]

gollark: ...
gollark: With metatables, you can have UNLIMITED POWER!
gollark: _ENV
gollark: I should allow you to call numbers.
gollark: No, I mean if I make 2 + 2 be 5 it'll probably break some applications.

References
  1. "The Emperor's New Clothes – Luxury Travel Magazine". www.luxurytravelmag.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  2. "The right calibre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  3. "Stores". Calibre. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  4. Traill-Nash, Glynis (23 October 2015). "Vogue Star of Fashion Laureates". The Australian. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  5. "GQ Men of the Year Awards Night". Vogue.com.au. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  6. "Event". thatsmelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  7. "A model showcases designs by Calibre during the Red Carpet show at..." Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  8. "2015 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival :: Emporium Melbourne". emporiummelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  9. "Calibre in Rio". Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  10. Halliwell, Elle (13 November 2014). "This is the sexiest underwear ad since Calvin Klein reinvented men's briefs in the mid 90s". The Australian. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  11. Vane, Michael (2 March 2020). "No More Models: How Calibre Menswear Became More "Authentic"". Man of Many. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  12. "The right calibre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  13. "Jason Dundas | Blue steel". Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  14. "#SPOTTEDINCALIBRE". Calibre. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  15. "James Tobin, TV Presenter". Beauticate. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
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