Designed by Joseph Saba, a leading Australian clothing designer, manufacturer and retailer. Joseph Saba opened a shirt and sweater shop in Flinders Lane in Melbourne in 1965. He broadened his menswear range before launching a jean label, Staggers, in 1969. He opened a women's shop in 1974 and sold, along with his own label, directional Japanese labels. In the late 1980s he concentrated on developing his own manufacturing business. Although associated with Melbourne, Saba opened a store in Sydney's Double Bay and Skygardens in the city in 1995.

This outfit was selected for the 1995 Powerhouse Museum and Sydney Morning Herald Fashion of the Year program. The suit, cotton shirt, belt and tie was worn by a model on 26 February 1996 at the announcement of the 1995 winners. It was requested from Joseph Saba and collected from the Double Bay store.

Outfit, mens, (7 parts), linen / lycra / polyester / plastic / cotton / leather, designed by Joseph Saba, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1995.

A mens shiny black linen suit with unstructured jacket worn with black shirt and patterned tie. Alternative casual shirt and black lycra t-shirt worn with the same trousers with belt.
The loose fitting jacket is made of shiny black linen, is single breasted with a roll down collar and peaked lapels. There is one left breast welt pocket, two front fake pockets at the hip, and two inside breast pockets. At the back there are two vents at the hem and the long sleeves are decorated with three small black plastic buttons at the cuff. Centre front opening fastening with two large black plastic buttons. The jacket is fully lined with black polyester and there are two small shoulder pads sewn into the lining.
A pair of tight fitting trousers made of matching fabric. They have two front inset pockets and two back welt pockets that fasten with small black plastic buttons. Centre front fly zipper fastening with a small black plastic button. There are seven belt loops around the waistband.
A long sleeve shirt made of black cotton with turn down collar and a left breast patch pocket. The shirt fastens down centre front with seven cowrie shell buttons and at the cuffs with on small black plastic button. There is a spare shell button attached to the right front facing near the hem.
The tie is made of polyester in small black yellow and red check design. It is partially lined with navy blue polyester.
The plain black leather belt has a plain silver coloured metal buckle and end piece.
The alternative shirt is made of black shiny linen and is long sleeved with a roll collar and short lapels. It has two breast patch pockets and the sleeves fasten at the cuff with two small black plastic buttons. Centre front opening fastening with four small black plastic buttons.
The t-shirt is body hugging and short sleeved with a round neckline made of black lycra.

Designed: Saba, Joseph; Melbourne, Victoria

Made: Joseph Saba (Holdings) Pty Ltd; Melbourne, Victoria; 1995


Used: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences; Sydney; 1996

See parts for marks information

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