Seeing an Australian label go big gives us a great sense of satisfaction here at GQ Australia. Despite our image around the world as a laid back, “deeply unserious” country, with the free-flowing style to match, we’re actually sitting on top of a treasure trove of world-class labels that are close to blowing up.
We’ve had plenty of labels make it big overseas, and that is often accompanied by said labels moving much of their business abroad. But with a healthy mix of brands still keeping the home front well dressed, we love to see a shirt, a pair of shorts, or a sweater make the wardrobe of an A-lister. And we mean the good stuff, too. Paul Mescal might have dabbled in Australian fashion, but his idea was a pair of shorts from the AFL club Collingwood. Which is not the sort of stuff we’re talking about here.
We’re talking about Canadian rapper Drake who dropped into Instagram to share a picture of him cosying up in a merino sweater from leisurewear brand Commas. Nick Jonas stepped onto national television in a crimson suede trucker jacket from Haulier. Across the NBA and the NFL, plenty of players have been seen in Earl’s Collection, the street-ready label founded by NRL player turned designer Lewi Brown. For celebrities looking to convey a little more worldliness in their wardrobe or an understanding of style existing off the beaten track, the unique aesthetic produced Down Under is, in our humble opinion, the best option.
Stealing your favourite celebrity’s style feels all the easier when it’s an Aussie label. To help you stay in touch on the brands making it big on the big names around the world, we got you covered.
Travis Kelce in Song For The Mute
During the ceremony celebrating his brother Jason’s retirement, Travis Kelce opted for a panelled shirt from Australian label Song For The Mute. Made in the super-soft cupro fabric, no doubt Kelce’s 196 cm and 113 kg frame loves the shirt’s oversized cut, too.
Song For The Mute colour-block short-sleeve shirt
Troye Sivan in Haulier
Dropping in mid-tour, Aussie pop export Troye Sivan broke from his Prada-heavy wardrobe to remind us he’s a louche beachside boy at heart. In an Instagram story he wore a comfortable mesh long sleeve shirt from Haulier. That’s a wardrobe that also includes a spicy pair of NRL shorts, too.
Haulier Canyon Motorcross tee
Drake in Commas
In one of Drake’s sporadic Instagram stories, the rapper dropped a pic of him in a marbled bathroom. Layered underneath his checked coat was an ecru-coloured merino polo sweater from Commas. A relaxed, high-quality staple, a merino sweater of this ilk has a place in just about any wardrobe—Drake’s or yours.
Commas rib-knit sweater
Zac Efron in Blundstone
If there’s one thing we do bloody well here in Australia, it’s a good boot. From the top-end luxury boots to the wear-everyday and beat to hell boots, there’s a brand here for you. For Efron, and a host of other celebrities, the Blundstone boots are a go-to. We get it.
Blundstone 1306
Pete Davidson in Wynn Hamlyn
Ok, this isn’t an Australian label, but we’re just as happy to show love for our Antipodean neighbours, particularly when the clothes are this nice. Davidson ducked out from an appearance on Saturday Night Live in one a futurist tracksuit set straight from New Zealand label Wynn Hamlyn’s revved-up motorsport-inspired collection.
Wynn Hamlyn Bungy jacket
Jaylen Brown in Earls Collection X Asics
Another Australian retailer, another winning sportswear collaboration. Earls Collection went straight for the jugular with its take on the GT-2160—a winning colourway right off the bat. Seen here on Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, you can tell the baller has great taste.
Asics x Earls Collection GT-2160
Bill Nighy in P Johnson
Looking dapper as ever reading Joan Didion at a cafe in London, Bill Nighy was wearing one of Australia’s favourite suiting labels, P Johnson. In a 2022 interview with Vogue, Nighy said of the label, “they have an algorithm where they take measurements that no one else has ever taken in the history of tailoring. And they come up and they really can make a beautiful shape. And they’re not obscenely expensive.” Sums it up pretty well to us.
P Johnson navy merino blazer
Patty Mills in Ksubi
Established already as one of Australia’s best-dressed, Patty Mills often turns to local label Ksubi for his tunnel fits. The denim brand that has exploded in popularity both at home and abroad has been seen so often on Mills he’s even launched an eyewear collection with the brand.
Ksubi Amnesia reversible jacket
Will Ferrell in Above The Clouds x Asics
Complex’s ‘Sneaker Shopping with’ series is one of the best places to get an eye on what sneakers your favourite celebrity is into. And for comedy legend Will Ferrell, it was a pair of Asics designed by Australian retailer Above The Clouds that he picked out. Can’t fault his taste there.
Asics x Above The Clouds GT-2160
Nick Jonas in Haulier
The Jonas Brothers, Jonases, (Joni?) have all been well-documented as being of the better-dressed variety (at least as far as musical brothers go, cough, Gallaghers). But we think Nick Jonas took his creds higher than the others when he opted for a ruby-red suede trucker jacket from Sydney-based label Haulier during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. While the jacket has since sold out, there’s plenty more worth shopping.
