Everything
If the start of 2023 was a major milestone for Sydney-based tailoring brand Belancē, which celebrated a decade in the industry, the end of it was even more momentous with the launch of their first ready-to-wear collection. Not that the category itself is a gamechanger, but rather, it was how founder Oscar Leal’s vision for what this might look like and how it could integrate codes of formality in a way that felt as light and effortless as something much more casual.
In and industry where the pendulum of men’s attire swings between the ease of casual wear and the classic allure of tailoring, Belancē and Leal simply chose to rewrite the rules that govern both. “I wanted to create a collection for the progressive romantic, rethinking the future of fashion by honouring the past,” Leal tells ICON. It is about, he says, setting the stage for a collection that’s as much about fashion as it is about a lifestyle choice. Having hit the store this summer, Belancē’s new line has ushered in what Leal envisions as an “eternal holiday” for Australian menswear.
Leal’s foray into ready-to-wear is as strategic as it is creative. “Our journey led us to the discovery of incredibly rare handwoven fabrics,” he shares, underscoring a narrative that weaves together sustainability, craftsmanship, and the kind of fashion that doesn’t just hang in a wardrobe but lives in the streets. This pivot to RTW isn’t merely an expansion but a response to a clientele clamouring for more—more accessibility, more versatility, and more Belancē.
Crafting this collection, Leal was adamant about bringing the bespoke ethos to the ready-to-wear arena. “We’re not just creating clothes; we’re crafting an experience,” he asserts, an ethos that resonates deeply in a fashion landscape increasingly concerned with the origins and ethics of clothing. Each piece in the collection is a testament to Belancē’s commitment to quality, designed to be mixed and matched, blurring the lines between what’s made-to-measure and what’s off-the-rack.
The inspiration behind this sartorial feat? A mix of personal nostalgia and keen market insight. “The concept of a resort collection had been on our radar for a while,” Leal recalls, pointing to a gap in the market for garments that blend seamless travel readiness with the kind of elegance that’s at home in both beachside cafes and city streets. Among the standout pieces, the Piel Deep V Neck Shirt holds a special place in Leal’s heart, epitomising the collection’s ethos of understated sophistication.
In addressing the perceived conservatism of Australian menswear, Leal is optimistic about the evolving landscape. “Social and conventional media have played a pivotal role in opening Australians’ minds,” he notes, acknowledging a shift towards a more adventurous approach to men’s fashion. This is a reflection not just of global trends but of Belancē’s own evolution from a brand synonymous with bespoke tailoring to one that now stands at the forefront of a more relaxed, yet undeniably sophisticated, approach to dressing.
As Belancē ventures into the RTW market, Leal is clear about the brand’s target audience: a blend of existing clientele and new faces drawn to the brand’s ethos of sustainable luxury and impeccable design. This collection, Leal hopes, will serve as a bridge between the brand’s tailored origins and a future where fashion is as much about how garments are made as it is about how they’re worn.
And where to shoot the campaign for such a pivotal collection? Mallorca, with its “captivating and peaceful” ambiance, was a natural choice, reflecting the collection’s essence and Leal’s personal connection to the island. “It’s like the collection; it’s not just about the clothes. It’s about the story they tell and the life they live outside the wardrobe,” Leal muses.
In channelling his vision into Belancē’s RTW line, Leal is inviting us into a world where fashion is an extension of the self, where garments are not just worn but lived in. In a way, it’s a return to the essence of style—personal, timeless, and endlessly adaptable. And if anyone’s leading the charge in this new era of menswear, it’s Oscar Leal and Belancē, stitching together the past and the future, one impeccably designed piece at a time.
