Fibre Source

Scattered around the towns of Uralla, Guyra, Walcha, Glen Innes and Armidale in New England, New South Wales, are some of Australia's most premium woolgrowers. M.J. Bale's Italian partner weavers, such as Vitale Barberis Canonico and REDA, work with a handful of growers here to produce superfine wool cloth exclusively for us. The growers are all RWS-certified (Responsible Wool Standard), ensuring the strictest standards of animal and environmental welfare are maintained. New England wool is soft, lustrous, elastic and strong, perfect for superior quality worsted woollen cloth that will last decades if cared for properly. Weaving This cloth is woven by centuries-old Italian weaver, Vitale Barberis Canonico (VBC). Owned and operated by the 15th-generation of the same family, VBC is situated in Biella, within the Italian Alps, and maintains strict adherence to eco-friendly policies – in particular, water use and the revitalisation of the natural environment. Using digital verification, VBC ensures each and every stage of the cloth's custody, from farm fibre to textile mill, is 100% traceable.

Construction

While the term might sound like a misnomer, M.J. Bale's 'decon' technique, used in the construction of some of our jackets, is actually what it says it is: a method of tailoring to construct a garment in the most unstructured, soft and lightweight way possible. It is a sartorial technique commonly associated with Neapolitan tailoring. It means the jackets are crafted with minimal padding and internal construction, allowing the fabric to drape naturally over the body. This creates a softer, more fluid silhouette that follows the contours of the wearer without excessive stiffness or structure. With Australia's spring-summer climate mostly mirroring that of Meditteranean summers, the decon technique also helps Australian men stay cool and unflustered while being sartorially stylish.