Australian menswear brand M.J. Bale has just unveiled a 15-piece capsule range in collaboration with global sailing brand North Sails.
The collection covers nautical race wear and off-deck garments, and will be sold in M.J. Bale’s flagship stores, selected David Jones stores and online.
North Sails was born in California in 1957 by Lowell North, a two-time Olympic sailor and American’s Cup Hall of Famer.
The collaboration is the result of a 15-year friendship between M.J. Bale founder and CEO Matt Jensen and Michael Sondag from North Sails.
“Michael and I have always caught up in Italy over the years when visiting M.J. Bale weavers and makers,” Jensen said. “When he highlighted the opportunity to do a collab, I thought it would be very cool.
“North Sails have been the world’s number one ocean racing sailmaker for almost 70 years, renowned for their cutting-edge technology and innovative materials. I’ve always maintained a belief in high-performance tailoring, and this is a sporty, functional, super-wearable collection for the M.J. Bale customer on and off the water.”
Garments in the collaboration range include a reversible ‘Regatta’ jacket. The twin-zipper green and navy reversible uses recycled Taslan and plant-based Sorona, and is an update of North Sails’ original foul weather sailor’s jacket.
The ‘Bertrand’ gilet is a sailing vest made from a recycled, thermal-controlled Smawarm with a two-way front zipper closure, external-internal pockets and a detachable hood.
The collection also includes chambray overshirts, vintage French terry sweats, cargo shorts and pants, cotton knits, co-branded polos and swim shorts.
The M.J. Bale x North Sails collection will be ocean-tested by the Unicoin crew in the upcoming Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024.