The menswear trend of made-to-measure and bespoke clothing shows no signs of abating with this week's arrival of New Zealand-based tailoring house Crane Brothers. And just as well, for there's nothing sharper than a man in a well-tailored, well-made suit. It's something owner Murray Crane is well aware of, having begun is namesake business in Auckland in 1999. The expansion to Sydney - where Crane Brothers will offer appointment-only made-to-measure services in a suite in one of the CBD's last remaining heritage buildings - comes as a result of demand, having made trips with a suitcase to service growing clientele over the past few years. "We feel, after twelve years, that the time is right to step outside our comfort zone into a more international marketplace," explains Mr Crane.
Mr Crane is no stranger to menswear. With a varied and rich history in accessory design and production, the tailor worked with New Zealand brands Terra Firma, EX-23, Cerissi and, perhaps most notably, Zambesi, where he helped establish its menswear offering. The decision to move into tailoring and away from the more commercial realm of seasonal fashion was a wise one at the time, for Mr Crane's business now boasts an unrivalled reputation in the market. While Mr Crane will make regular trips to the Sydney outpost, it will be manned by Karl Clausen, who comes with experience in the custom and bespoke tailoring department of Dunhill, as well as a senior role at Ermenegildo Zegna's New Bond Street in London.
The showroom comprises made-to-measure suiting, shirts and ready-to-wear, as well as Crane Brothers' growing range of jewellery and accessories, and in its historic surroundings, acts as a traditional men's club in the heart of the city.
