Page 13: Melbourne suit maker Dom Bagnato celebrating 40 years in business

Melbourne suit maker Dom Bagnato is celebrating 40 years in the business, and credits a lucky encounter with trucking magnate Lindsay Fox with helping him reach the milestone.

Dom Bagnato has credited some advice from Lindsay Fox for helping him through a trough. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I heard you make good suits”, said a gruff, but distinct voice walking into Dom Bagnato’s atelier one day.

The Melbourne suit maker was feeling the pinch like many other local retailers in the 90s. Almost out of business, Bagnato was on the brink of closing the door on his eponymous brand.

But an unexpected customer, in the larger than life form of up-market trucker Lindsay Fox, turned that all around.

It was Fox who walked into his store that day, ordering three custom suits for an event. During the fittings, the tailor leant on the richlister for advice — something he is always happy to dole out — with Fox guiding him on how to survive in what can be a brutal industry: “Find out what you do well and do it better.”

“It sounds simple but it was true then and true now,” Bagnato said.

‘Find out what you do well and do it better’. A piece of advice Bagnato has lived by in his business life. Picture: Mark Stewart

The next customer to rock up for a bespoke suit and fitting was none other than Fox’s good mate, property developer and thoroughbred owner Lloyd Williams. The rest, as they say, is history, with Bagnato celebrating 40 years in the trade.

He was literally singing from the rafters for the occasion, at Il Mercato Centrale in the CBD, talking about the ups and down with friend and radio stalwart, Donna Demaio: “I strongly believe that anyone in business, when you’re passionate about what you do, to the point of obsession, and you stick with it, success will find you. A break will come if you stay committed.”

Meanwhile, celebrating 10 plus years in business, Christian Kimber says grit and sheer determination is behind his success.

Described as the most debonair man of Melbourne, Kimber is not riding on the coat-tails of anyone, rather forging and creating his own.

Menswear designer Christian Kimber in an ad for Woodford Reserve bourbon. Picture: Supplied

He has re-imagined the old world of bespoke suiting, recently opening his third store on the Paris end of Collins St, encouraging men to enjoy the art of shopping and discover their personal style – no mean feat.

Recreating the old fashioned cocktail for Woodford Reserve, Kimber has gone from National Graduate designer at Melbourne Fashion Festival to becoming an integral part of it’s board, hosting an event on Monday to kick off the runway shows at Royal Exhibition Building.

Rather than shy away from Australia as other brands do as they try to market globally – he is adored by Europeans who summer in St Tropez – Kimber leans into it.

“Grit is everything, grit keeps you going, but being Australian, I think that is our secret sauce,” Kimber said.

“Our identity is Australian, we are making clothing for a lifestyle for the climate for the people here.; I think our secret weapon is that we are Australian and that lifestyle is what the whole world wants to be a part of.”