Our story

All four brands under the Flair Industries banner are distinct, innovative, are aimed at different market segments and have all been through an exciting regeneration stage over the past few years.

Flair Industries suits are made predominantly from Australian merino wool. The fabric designs are ranged specifically for our market and woven to guarantee comfort, performance and durability, as well as follow trends in colour and texture. The viscose blend lining also provides the wearer with breathability and comfort.

Our Journey

Proudly Australian owned, Flair Industries vision is to remain one of Australia's leading apparel companies. Our focus and commitment will see us at the forefront of the industry well into the future.

We travel twice a year to Europe's leading fashion capitals for inspiration. We deal direct with the world's best mills for trends in colour, texture and fabric construction.

Our local design team put together ranges seasonally that reflect current trends, incorporating changes not only in the fit, but also the shapes of our garments.

 

Our Mission

Flair Industries and its brands will be differentiated, authentic and desirable. This is made possible by combining our traditional values of quality, value and integrity with innovative design and relevancy produced in a stimulating and creative environment.

 

History of Events

2009

• Flair will launch their new women's label ETC, in selected boutiques throughout Australia.

 

2008

• Flair announces they're the official supplier of formal wear for both the Carlton Football Club and Collingwood Football Club.
• In an all time first both Clubs have brushed aside decades of rivalry and have come together in the one campaign to show they're united by Flair.
• Flair appoints ambassadors from both Clubs, which include from Carlton Andrew Carrazzo, Marc Murphy and Andrew Walker and from Collingwood, Dale Thomas, Brodie Holland and Heath Shaw to represent the brand.
• Flair introduces their new Mix & Match Separates program at Myer stores nationally and selected menswear boutiques.

 

2007

• In association with Ransal, Salco and Aquila, Flair contributes to the launch the hugely successful label JEFF BANKS by producing the suiting component of the Jeff Banks Collection. The Collection is available in Myer stores nationally.
• Flair continues its long association in dressing sporting clubs including Western Bulldogs, Richmond Football Club, Melbourne Football Club, Geelong Football Clubs, Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm, NSW Blues, Queensland Reds, Australian Men's and Women's Cricket Team, HSV Racing, BOC Racing, Australian Winter Olympic Team, Australian Indoor Cricket Team, AFL Umpires, AFL All Australian Team, Australian Women's Hockey team, NSW Cricket Team, Tasmanian Cricket Team and the Australian Wallabies.
• Ted Baker announces the opening of his first Australian store at 220 - 224 Little Collins St, Melbourne, on 25th August. Housed in Australia's greenest purpose built commercial development, Council House 2, the store is set to take Ted's adventures down under to a whole new level.
• Flair Industries becomes an associate sponsor and the official outfitter of the Carlton Football Club as part of a two-year agreement.

 

2006

• Ted Baker dresses the Socceroos and the Matilda's in MK3 suits for their 2006 World Cup appearance.

 

2004

• After nearly 80 years in the business, Flair Menswear commences work on a re-branding exercise, changing its name to Flair Industries. Flair stamps its ground competing against Berkley Apparels Studio Italia, Stafford Allison's Giotto, Ron Bennett's CEO, Rembrandt's Cesar and Dom Bagnato.
• Three generations of the Kanat family have been involved in the business and there are currently four members of the family playing key roles in the business.

 

2003

• Ted Baker London is launched in Australia. A very British launch event was held in the Tank Bar at the Establishment Hotel in Sydney. Ted Baker's sold at David Jones and premium boutiques in Australia and New Zealand.

 

2002

• Flair Menswear sold its 50% share in Hugo Boss Australia and that same year was approved by a number of international designer labels to create a new distribution arrangement. Later that year Ted Baker London and Flair Menswear established Ted Baker Downunder.

 

2001

• The business is recognised nationally as one of the major players in the Australian fashion industry, and has been acknowledged for its contribution to Australia in official Centenary of Federation celebrations

 

2000

• Flair Menswear celebrates their latest expansion of the business with the opening of the new head office and state-of-the-art distribution systems in Preston. Flair Menswear now has one of the most technically advanced distribution systems.
• Since 1926, it is estimated that Flair Menswear has produced over 4 million jackets for Australian consumers with a staggering 7 million metres of fabric going into these garments over this time. The last 15 years have seen over 100,000 suits produced annually by Flair.

 

1989

• Flair Menswear establishes a joint venture with Hugo Boss Ag. Hugo Boss Australia launches in the Australian market in the same year.

 

1984

• Flair Menswear builds a new purpose built state of the art production facility in Albert Street Preston and relocates from Bell St, Preston. The equipment installed includes: Gerber Cutters, Veit, Brisay, Pfaff, Durkopp, Hoffman, Macpi and Meyer.

 

1967

• Flair Menswear starts a long and successful association with Myer. To this day Flair still stands as one of Myers best selling suit brands. Flair brands sit along other suiting designers such as Van Heusen, Jeff Banks, Zegna, D'Urban, Rhodes & Beckett, Dom Bagnato, Gibson, Oxford, Industrie, Pierre Cardin and Louis Feraud.

 

1966

• The business was rebranded Flair Menswear. Managing Director, Aaron Kanat was able to identify a changing pattern in the market place, so along with the name change, Flair Menswear started to offer more than just replacement clothing and as a result changed the direction of the Australian menswear market.
• The Flair customer and menswear buyers were becoming more discerning and selective in their clothing purchases. They wanted the newest shape and the latest fabric and they were prepared to pay a little more for a "fashionable" garment rather than just a basic item of clothing.

 

1950's

• Hicraft Clothing relocates to Bell Street, Preston.

 

1945

• After the war Hicraft Clothing faced another change in the market place with a new demand for men's clothing. Apart from the high demand for men's suiting, overcoats were an especially popular item.

 

1926

• Hicraft Clothing, which Flair Industries was known back then, was established by its owner Wolf Kanat. The company was located in Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
• Not long after the business was established the Australian economy was hit hard, first by the impact of the Depression and then the Second World War.
• During this time Hicraft Clothing changed the focus of its business from manufacturing men's and boy's clothing to providing garments for the Australian troops. Hicraft Clothing was a contractor to the Australian Government as a major supplier of Army, Navy and Airforce uniforms.