Australian fashion brand Country Road has reissued its 1984 Chambray shirt.
Made under the guidance of Country Road founder Stephen Bennett, the shirt is manufactured in Australia from Australian cotton.
As part of the brand’s efforts to expand its range of Australian grown and made items, Country Road’s design team worked in close collaboration with Bennett to recreate the original shirt from the archives.
The team chose to work with Melbourne manufacturer Vince Clothing – accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia – to bring the shirt back to life.
Made from Australian cotton, the reissued shirt replicates design details from the original, including square pockets set low on the chest and the signature belt tab with criss cross stitching on the back yoke.
The reissued shirt even has a sewn-in label made by Cash’s – the same company based in Leongatha, Victoria, that created the label for the shirt in 1984.
The Workwear label with its unique design and green and cream colours is made by Cash’s, as are the care label and placket card for the reissued shirt.
In order to resemble the original shirt as closely as possible, the yellow thread that defined the brand’s heritage Workwear range stitching and the faux horn buttons were redeveloped and imported specifically for the reissue.
Bennett said the reissuing of a past classic speaks to the brand’s heritage of manufacturing in Australia.
“It’s been a big thrill to see it being made again,” Bennett said. “Looking at it, it’s a far better shirt than the original one, so it’s very exciting.”
The original shirt was initially released by Bennett in 1984 as part of the brand’s first menswear ranges, and was entirely manufactured in Sydney, Australia at the time.
Made in an oversized, unisex fit, the shirt was designed as a central piece to work with other items in the range.
Country Road’s head of design for menswear, Chris Vogelpoel, said the collaborative process was a career highlight.
“About 18 months ago, we met with Stephen to research Country Road’s archives for iconic items that we could manufacture within Australia,” Vogelpoel said.
“When we found the Chambray Shirt, we were totally inspired by the beautiful blue colour of the fabric, the unique pocket details, the shape of the collar and the oversized fit that was so popular in the 80s.
Vogelpoel said the process began with sourcing Australian cotton fabric, finding the template to duplicate original styles, as well as securing a local manufacturer.
“We’re expecting to build on this and do more under the Australian-made banner.”
To mark the reissue, the campaign film advert features Graham Shearer – the Australian photographer who captured the original Chambray Shirt campaign in the 80s – with model Sharon Kenny who was the face of the brand’s winter 1987 campaign, also captured by Graham.
The reissued Chambray Shirt is available in-store and online for an RRP of $249.