Tim Leckie and Dion Kovac know clothes. They're the men behind one of the country's ultimate cult boutiques, One Of A Kind, and they've just opened a brand new, two floor store dedicated to all things menswear in Sydney's Elizabeth Bay. Demonstrating a sense of irreverence that's vital to men's style, they've named the store Meanwhile after a skate park in West London. But what you'll find inside the impeccabley sparse, industrial space is no streety, skatey melange of printed tees and boring blazers. Instead, it's a very tight edit of local and international labels, many of which haven't been available in the country before like Dana Lee, Buttero and Isaac Reina. The store is also stock arbiters of New York cool Rag and Bone, alongside super Scandi brands Whyred and bStore. Local product comes in the form of GQ favorites Vanishing Elephant, Rittenhouse and Three Over One.
This selection of labels and stock speaks to a style that's not rooted in fashionable flamboyance, but instead has more of a focus on a masculine style that's contemporary, but not overly mercurial.
We caught up with the guys behind the shop, which opened its doors this week, to find out what they've got, how they got it, and what you should be buying.
Can you describe the Meanwhile man for us?
Someone who appreciates clothes but isn't obsessed with fashion. Things go in and out but quality will always stand the test of time.
What inspired you to open Meanwhile. Why now? Why Elizabeth Bay?
There's definitely a gap in the Australia market for that middle ground of menswear. And Elizabeth Bay is a good fit for us. It's busy enough but maintains a village atmosphere. We didn't want to be another high street store.
Can you tell us a bit about your other store, One Of A Kind, and how Meanwhile is different?
One Of A Kind is predominantly local brands. Meanwhile is a natural progression - more brands, bigger space.
You've got an amazing edit of brands. What sort of things were you looking for when stocking the store?
Brands that have a history and heritage are always good. People like a back story, because it validates a brand's authenticity. Then it's a matter of finding labels that compliment each other, without being exactly the same.
Can you give us a bit of insight into what fashion savvy guys look for in a garment and brand more generally?
Again, having a history helps - it goes back to the quality thing. But price is also an important consideration. Whether it's a great suit or a pair of board shorts, the product should be appropriately priced.
Give us five wardrobe essentials every man should have?
A good wallet, a much loved pair of jeans, great fitting suit, denim shirt...and clean underwear.
What are some of the strongest trends we're seeing coming through in menswear at the moment? How important are trends to your edit?
Bold colours and interesting prints. But they've always featured heavily in Australian fashion. You have to acknowledge what's on trend, but as a store that sells classic styled menswear, you can't be seen to be jumping on the bandwagon every season.
It's often said the Australian market is very bad at supporting menswear. Do you see this changing?
Definitely. There's not so much of a cultural cringe associated with Australian menswear these days. And rightly so, there are plenty of locals doing great stuff. But there's nothing wrong with acknowledging overseas designers and brands - as long as it's not just because they're foreign and you've assumed the local product is inferior.
What is it about clothes and shopping that makes some men squeamish?
I think it's the shopping that men have a problem with, not the clothes. Men, generally, don't like a fuss. And trying the clothes on, having someone wait on them etc can be a bit of an ordeal for some guys. But in Meanwhile, we think we've created a relaxed, non-pretentious environment that takes some of that stress out of shopping. We still recommend trying on the clothes though.
Can you tell us about some common mistakes you see guys making whilst shopping, and how these can be fixed?
Being overly influenced by fashion is a mistake. Being true to your personality is a better guide when buying clothes. That doesn't mean you can't be adventurous. You can, but the garment has to suit the individual, not the rack it's hanging on.
Pictured: Vanishing Elephant SS11/12, which will be available at Meanwhile later this year. Meanwhile's address is 31 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay.