M.J.Bale has been chosen by Football Australia as the official tailor of the Subway Socceroos.
The menswear brand has produced a personalised 'Centenary Suit' for the 26-man squad and coaching staff, which channels the 100-year history of the team. Each player’s name and Socceroos’ cap number has been specially embroidered into the inner lining of the Centenary Suit.
In announcing the partnership, M.J.Bale CEO Matt Jensen also revealed another major chapter in the brand's future blueprint.
"We expect to commercialise zero-emission suits in the near future through our 70 stores across Australia, which are already green-energy powered," Jensen confirmed. "M.J. Bale has now offset the entire carbon footprint of our products and organisation, named as Australia’s first fully carbon neutral fashion brand.
“We are a trailblazer in the reduction of carbon emissions in the production of men’s clothing through innovative partnerships with a range of other local companies and national sports teams, including the Australian Men’s Cricket Team and Wallabies."
The brand's 'Centenary Suit' is made from Merino wool sourced from the New England region in New South Wales, woven in Italy by the Vitale Barberis Canonico textile mill into a navy birds eye cloth.
M.J. Bale has developed a number of partnerships with farms as part of its sustainable sourcing policy, including Kingston Farm in Tasmania and seaweed producer and manufacturer Sea Forest. Sea Forest supplies eco-friendly seaweed called asparagopsis, reducing methane emissions from sheep in the creation of woollen knitwear and suits.
“We hope to be producing zero-emission suits for the Subway Socceroos as they take on the world in future campaigns,” Jensen said.
Subway Socceroos captain Mathew Ryan welcomed M.J. Bale as the official tailor.
“As a member of the Australian men’s national football team, we always look to represent our country and fans with great integrity and pride on the global stage, so are excited to be wearing the special homegrown Centenary suit made by an Australian company with strong values and who are environmentally aware."