Calibre
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail
FoundedMelbourne, Australia (1989)
FounderGary Zecevic
ProductsMenswear
Websitewww.calibre.com.au

Calibre is a multi-channel Australian menswear retailer, specialising in tailored suiting, casualwear and accessories with urban design edge.[1]

History

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Calibre was founded in 1989 by Gary Zecevic. With 12 years of experience working in retail in Melbourne, he 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 2000’s to focus on the Australian market. In 2006, The Australian speculated the company was turning over nearly $20 million dollars. 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

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Calibre now has 17 stores and 7 concessions in David Jones stores in the Australian states of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, as well as an online store that ships both domestically and internationally.[3] The head office is currently situated in Prahran, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria.

Brands

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Alongside its own brand, Calibre stock handmade leather shoes from Italian shoemaker Doucals, sneakers from Puma, accessories from Moschino, and eyewear from Gucci, Carerra and Marc Jacobs.

Awards

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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

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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]

Notable Campaigns

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In 2008, the iconic 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 vibrant 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]

Notable Customers

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Notable celebrities who have worn Calibre include Australian actor Hugh Jackman,[11] TV personality and model Jason Dundas,[12] TV personality Scott Tweedie[13] and TV presenter James Tobin.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "The Emperor's New Clothes - Luxury Travel Magazine". www.luxurytravelmag.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  2. ^ "The right calibre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  3. ^ "Stores". Calibre. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  4. ^ "Vogue star of Fashion Laureates".
  5. ^ "GQ Men of the Year Awards Night". Vogue.com.au. 2007-11-22. Retrieved 2015-11-12.
  6. ^ "Event". thatsmelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
  7. ^ "A model showcases designs by Calibre during the Red Carpet show at..." Retrieved 2015-10-02.
  8. ^ "2015 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival :: Emporium Melbourne". emporiummelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
  9. ^ "Calibre in Rio". Retrieved 2015-10-02.
  10. ^ "This is the sexiest underwear ad since Calvin Klein reinvented men's briefs in the mid 90s".
  11. ^ "The right calibre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  12. ^ "Jason Dundas | Blue steel". Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  13. ^ "#SPOTTEDINCALIBRE". Calibre. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  14. ^ "James Tobin, TV Presenter". Beauticate. Retrieved 2015-11-13.