Menswear Brand Politix Releases Designer Suit Made Entirely From Men’s Moustache Hair
Politix, an Australian menswear brand, created the first designer suit made entirely of men’s moustache hair
POLITIX has collaborated with artist Pam Kleemann-Passi, through Bullfrog, to create the world’s first Mo-Hair Suit — made from real moustache hair — to spark conversations about men’s health.
The Mo-Hair Suit is part of POLITIX x Movember’s ‘Worn to be Heard’ campaign, which debuted on Australian television and was modelled by Karl Stefanovic on The Today Show.
Why do we need to discuss men’s health? Because the number of men who commit suicide each year in Australia is nearly double the national road toll. In addition, men die six years earlier than women on average from largely preventable causes such as suicide, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Bullfrog’s creative director, Dan Sparkes, says: “Covid-19 continues to dominate global health headlines, putting Movember’s life-saving programs and messages of hope in jeopardy this year. As a result, we wanted to provide men and the media with something to talk about. The Mo-Hair Suit takes what POLITIX and Movember are known for — Menswear and Mo’s — and turns them into a conversation starter: is it a magnificent example of bespoke tailoring, or is it a bit gross?”
The Mo-Hair Suit, a single-breasted POLITIX two-piece, was expertly tailored using a material custom-made by Melbourne visual artist Pam Kleemann-Passi.
Pam lost her husband to prostate and colorectal cancer in 2016. Her artworks delve into her personal experiences with illness, exploring the intersection of creativity and medical science, and are frequently expressed using human hair. Pam says: “It’s fascinating to me how hair can transform from something so normal and touchable when attached to the body to this intriguing and unsettling object once it’s removed. I want this suit to provoke, intrigue, entertain, and spark difficult conversations.”
POLITIX and Bullfrog obtained the mo-hair from Sustainable Salons and collaborators whose lives have been impacted by men’s health issues. Messages from these Mo-Bros and Mo-Sisters, as well as a dedication from Pam, are printed in the suit’s lining, serving as reminders that it is worn to be heard.
“This piece has been a labor of love for all involved,” says Katarina Matic, senior art director at Bullfrog. We were all emotionally invested in the cause, and there was a genuine desire to create something unique that generated conversation and displayed a high level of craft and intricacy.
According to Lauren Eddy, senior copywriter at Bullfrog: “To raise awareness, charities frequently create short-lived advertisements, set challenges, or host events. Our goal was to make a statement that would live on and continue the conversations that began during Movember.”
The Worn to be Heard campaign also includes a limited-edition collection of POLITIX blazers designed by artist-duo WBYK that are screen-printed with provocative statements like ‘Grab Cancer by the Balls’ and ‘I Cry Like a Boss.’
Throughout Movember, high-profile Australian men such as TV personality Sam Mac, Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, and Actor Lyndon Watts will wear these Statement Jackets on TV and social media, encouraging men to check in with their friends, families, and doctors.
POLITIX has been dressing Australian men for over 40 years and believes it is their responsibility to use their platform to help men feel good as well as look good. According to Richard Dalke, POLITIX’s Head of Marketing: “Everyone involved has brought their personal experiences and goals to this incredibly unique campaign. If it gives even one person a reason to speak up, it’s worth a million moustache suits.”
POLITIX’s Head of Design and Creative, Paul Burden, says: “My father died of cancer on November 1st, two years ago. He was a typical man in that he didn’t go to the doctor when he should have — when the problem was treatable. I’m hoping that this campaign gets people talking and inspires more men to speak up before it’s too late.”