Suits you, sir
Jason Dovey is known as the best in the biz. Even 007 himself would approve of his crisp collars and on-trend tailoring.
Words Nicky Adams | Photos Salina Galvan + supplied
Seeing a Bond & Co tailored suit worn in 2019 by Black Cap captain Kane Williamson, to meet the late Queen Elizabeth II at a tea party at Buckingham Palace, was a career-defining moment for Bond & Co owner Jason Dovey. Over the years he has built up a loyal client base of repeat customers that includes everyone from high-profile local businessmen to sportsmen, politicians to musicians – but when it comes to his threads being showcased at a royal palace, as Jason says, “That doesn’t happen to everyone in their lifetime.”
Jason, his wife Michelle and the Bond & Co team do, however, consider each event that they dress their clients for of equal importance, whether it be a wedding, black-tie occasion, board meeting or simply someone investing in a cornerstone piece for the wardrobe. “I love making people look good and feel good – that’s the drive behind it,” says Jason. “It’s about sending them out feeling a million bucks.” There’s care and attention for each and every customer: “It’s not a help yourself, that’ll do set-up.”
Jason is a stalwart of high-end men’s fashion in Tauranga, having started in the trade in 1987, initially at Warnocks before moving to Molloy’s Menswear on Devonport Road in 1992. In 2012 he bought the business, rebranding to Bond & Co in 2015. The store still proudly sits on Devonport Road, albeit on the other side – a small change (along with a stylish refit) that, despite the continuity, denotes a fresh feel.
Over time, Jason has watched menswear both evolve and, in some cases, circle back. Over the last six or seven years, he has seen a resurgence of black tie and the tuxedo (“You can’t beat a guy in a tux – it’s just a transformation”). However, for less formal attire, there is a trend towards soft suiting of blazers and jackets. As Jason says, “The office is not as corporate as it used to be. Yes, people are still wearing a suit, but there’s a lot more blazers, smart-casual chinos and that sort of thing being worn.” This move to more casual workwear has prompted stylish alternatives. “Shirting has become more interesting,” Jason muses. “There’s more variety with, trims, buttons and so on to make the shirt the statement and pop. Men have definitely become more adventurous in the last 10 years and are prepared to wear a floral shirt.”
An exploration of a wider tonal palette for wedding and occasion suiting is another development, with green currently the strongest colour leading the way. Jason illustrates the point by bringing out a rich forest-green suit jacket with contrasting stitching – this, together with a linen lichen-green jacket has been flying off the shelves; the jacket paired with black pants proves a striking look for a wedding party.
While eventwear is a motivator for purchasing an off-the-rack or tailored suit, in general, formalwear has been updated by the “slim fit”. This is particularly appealing to the younger market, as it feels fresh and modern. Developments in fabrics have also increased the wearability of a suit. While wool is still the most popular fabric, and velvet is the ultimate in luxe and polish, for everyday wear the addition of stretch to classic wool is looking to be a game-changer. Demonstrating the classic male crossed-arm flex/hunch move, Jason illustrates just how great it is to have fabric with movement “for men sitting on an aeroplane, or just for comfort in general.” The fabrics used for suiting are sourced from fine Italian and British mills, with the main suppliers the illustrious Rembrandt and Holland & Sherry.
Along with roots steeped in the culture of high-quality tailoring and impeccable service, Bond & Co is a very modern entity. Providing head-to-toe styling with accessories such as shoes, ties and pocket squares, there is a wide range of off-the-shelf shirting, suits, jackets and pants, along with selected pieces of casualwear, all of which can be quickly altered to fit to perfection via the onsite alterations workshop, operated by Michelle (she also caters to casual walk-ins for both menswear and womenswear). Should a client be after a made-to-measure piece, the choice of fabric is enormous, and typically a garment would take approximately
six weeks to make. Tailored shirting is produced in New Zealand in around four weeks – a bespoke waistcoat can be made in store with an even more impressive turnaround time. Additionally, Bond & Co offers the option of occasionwear hire.
While specialising in menswear, Jason and Michelle have recently extended their repertoire to include a curated collection of womenswear. It made sense to offer the ladies – who would often be in store assisting their partners – something to browse. Along with a beautiful line of shirting, the option of made-to-measure appeals to women who appreciate the sartorial value of a tailored garment; equally for those that can never find the perfect piece off-the-rack, a bespoke fitted investment piece is invaluable. This move is just another innovation that Jason and Michelle have introduced, proving that beneath the traditional exterior is a business with its finger on the pulse.