New Zealand Men “Hunger For Good Clothes”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28951, 20 July 1959, Page 13

New Zealand Men “Hunger For Good Clothes”

After years of pin-striped suits and double-breasted jackets, New Zealand men are becoming fashion conscious to the degree that they “hunger” for good quality and fashionable clothing.

These are the views of Mr S. Sinclair, managing director of Anthony Squires, an English firm of clothing manufacturers, who arrived in Christchurch yesterday accompanied by the governing director pf the firm. Mr W. S. Kattenburg. They are in New- Zealand to discuss business with their associate companies. Mr Sinclair forecast that in about 18 months New Zealand men would be wearing shorter, single-breasted jackets with slightly cut-away fronts, two side vents and three buttons, and slimmer trousers, without cuffs. Colours would be medium grey, but tonings would become darker until the popular trend would be off-black.

The accent was on youth, said Mr Sinclair. The thick-set, padded shoulder look had gone, and men the world over were wearing a slimmer style suit that had its origin in Italy. Mr Sinclair said he had been told that New Zealand men had no interest in clothes. “Instead I found there is a hunger for good clothes.” he said. Since fashionable clothes were put on the market as an experiment, about a year ago. interest in men’s clothing had changed to such a degree that it was now impossible to cope with the de-

mand, said Mr Sinclair. New Zealand had welcomed the change as much as any other country. Mr Sinclair also considered that the quality of textiles had improved. Up to two years ago, New Zealand fashion was about 10 years behind most other parts of the world. Now it was about a year behind, but within about 18 months current fashions would be available here.

Bom in England, Mr Sinclair now lives in Australia. Mr Kattenburg was born in Holland and now lives in England. He controls Hollandia Kattenburg N. V.. a manufacturing group in Holland, and Magazyn Nederlandkattenburg, a retail organisation. Mr Kattenburg’s tour will take him through the United States. Britain, and Europe, where he will study fashion trends.