Joe Black Tailor made Suits

Tailor made suits in Melbourne, Australia

Joe Black is a brand for today's businessman drawn from the inspirational story of my forefather, something of a legend in our family.

Joseph Macky was an adventurer, a self made man.

He was born into an enterprising pioneering family who emigrated from Ireland in 1845. His father and uncle exported houses and general merchandise to the miners in the California gold rush of 1849. Their business, called the Auckland Steam Navigation Co, ran the first regular Transtasman steamship service, plying trade between Auckland and Sydney in the 1850s.

After school, (he was dux) he worked in a drapery store until starting his own business in the muddy horse and cart days of the 1880s, supplying work wear to fellow pioneers. It soon blossomed: by the First World War the firm was the largest wholesaler of general products in the country, with branches in London and the Pacific. A keen yachtsman, he did not neglect his civic duties, finding time to be the mayor of his neighbourhood council.

His firm survived two depressions, two wars and the usual fluctuating fortunes of a remote new colony. When he died he bequeathed 20,000 pounds to his employees who had helped make his money in the first place.

Joseph was the epitome of the Real Pacific Man. But as remarkable as his life was, it's not an uncommon story of Kiwi and Aussie men who have grown up in a place that encourages individuality and a desire to do great things - pioneering Pacific men.

I admire his strength of character and sense of purpose, and feel proud of this man, going confidently where few had been before, taking others along with him, and keen to put his own mark on the new world about him. This is the new Pacific man we want to dress, successful outside and with true character inside.

JOE MACKY
MARCH 2007

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