What started off as a bet over a beer between two friends has now become an internationally recognised label and a dream come true for friends Leith Testoni and Jonathan Yeo of premium menswear label ZANEROBE. When asked how ZANEROBE came to be, they recall seeing a guy dressed in a hideous striped shirt and Jono betting Leith, who originally had the more prominent interest in fashion, that he couldn’t design a better shirt. In Jono’s words ‘it was on’.
The unique name was a joint decision between the boys; ZANE from Leith’s longing to be called it as a kid, and ROBE as Jono’s reworking of the French word ‘garde robe’ (an old piece of French furniture that held clothing). In just over a week a business name was registered, logo developed and a 6-8 piece shirting collection designed and hawked to a select few boutique clothing stores in Sydney. Within 2 years, ZANEROBE were presenting full menswear collections and stocking in David Jones nationally.
Today, the name has become synonymous with strength and masculinity and their ranges are well known internationally for their point of difference, quality workmanship and clever, bold designs. With the introduction of the Spring Summer 2011/12 Collection; IVY LEAGUE, Jono and Leith embark on an alternate journey, along a path that explores the realms and nuances of fashion through music and art; a defining moment and new direction for the label.
Unveiling a collection that has been designed to inspire and be aspirational, IVY LEAGUE will gently nudge and in some cases rudely push the ZANEROBE guy to a new level of design aesthetic, one that challenges and rewards concurrently. 2009 saw ZANEROBE launch a ‘Fine Tailoring’ collection with Australia’s David Jones being quick to snap it up and 2010 saw the introduction of their first eyewear collection.
After just 8 years, ZANEROBE is already hanging in the cream of stores including Australia’s David Jones, Japan’s Barneys, the USA’s Nieman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks. They invite you to join the movement as ZANEROBE embark on their new direction, and fashionably signify their unequivocal abandonment of the past.
