How I Made It How the (banker) founder of MJ Bale took over menswear
25 snips
Oct 12, 2025 Matt Jensen, founder and CEO of MJ Bale, shares his fascinating journey from a Merino sheep farm to becoming a leading name in menswear. He discusses spotting a gap in the market during his banking days in London, which inspired his transition into fashion. Matt reflects on his early struggles with Herringbone, detailing critical lessons learned during its administration. He emphasizes MJ Bale's commitment to natural fibres and sustainability, revealing how partnerships with local growers and sports teams shape their innovative approach.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Wool In His DNA
- Matt Jensen grew up on a farm with thousands of Merino sheep and a fascination with natural fibres.
- He remembered asking how to add value to the wool bale and wanted to make more interesting products from it.
Banking Paid For A Fashion Education
- Matt worked in London banking to fund travel and lived through the booming finance era of the 1990s.
- That job paid for exploring Europe and exposed him to British fashion and emerging brands.
Vertical Retail Gap In Australia
- Jensen spotted that the UK had many vertical brands with their own stores while Australia relied on department stores.
- He saw an opportunity to bring direct-to-retail menswear to Australia where it was underserviced.