This year marks a significant milestone for one of Melbourne’s most celebrated men’s wear designers, Dom Bagnato, as he proudly celebrates 40 years in the fashion industry. Known for his impeccable tailoring and sophisticated aesthetics, Bagnato has become synonymous with modern elegance and quality craftsmanship.
Born and raised in Tatura, nestled in the picturesque Goulburn Valley, Dom Bagnato’s journey to fashion stardom began in humble surroundings. Growing up as the son of market gardeners, he learned the values of hard work and perseverance early on. At the age of 16, he made the bold move to Melbourne, a city that would eventually become the canvas for his creative vision.
He began his career working at Sackville, one of the leading suiting and casual wear manufacturers at the time. From the age of nine, Dom would visit his godfather’s tailoring shop, and in form two at school, he did a project on tailoring that opened his eyes to the world of fashion and design.
Dom says, “From around the age of nine, I was introduced to fashion and tailoring, and it intrigued me. When I was young, I lost a little sister in a tragic accident, and I spent so much time at the hospital that I began to draw to pass the time.
My godfather also had a jeans shop, so I was mainly drawing jeans. The moment that I realised I could draw is a time I’ll never forget. I developed a passion for drawing and became intrigued by fashion and design, and what this could be. The more I learned, the more passionate I became, and therefore I moved to Melbourne.”
When Dom came to Melbourne, there weren’t the fashion design schools around that there are today. There was only the Melbourne College of Textiles. Dom studied fabric design and pattern making via night school and took a course in drawing designs.
“When I was 18, I learned about the world of Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent and became infatuated with fashion. At the age of 18, I registered the name Dom Bagnato, not knowing where that would take me at the time, but I wanted my own name like the greats I had studied. I then went on to work for the government clothing factory, where I learned the art of pattern making and making army uniforms, which required absolute accuracy.
At the age of 21, I took a job at the Stafford Group as head designer. The Stafford Group was the leading men’s suiting designer at that time.
This was the most incredible creative period of my design life, as every day I was designing and pattern making. I worked with a man called Ron King at the time, and we had this incredible synergy and would bounce ideas off each other.
The Stafford Group held the license for Christian Dior, ironically, so I was designing for the Christian Dior license component, among other collections, says Dom.”
In 1983, Dom felt he had done everything he could so far. He had worked for the best, freelanced for others, and was being well paid, so he thought he could go out on his own.
Dom continues, “I went out on my own, and in 1984, I started my business. It was a tough period, and my wife was incredibly supportive. My garage became a cutting room; it was a mini factory. We were making for others as well to ensure a solid income, as money was tight.
In 1985, we moved to a studio office in South Melbourne, but everything was made off-site. In 1986, we moved again, and this time we had in-house staff, unlike before, but we ended up facing financial difficulties. It was during this time that the Travellers Group, which owned the Opal Menswear stores, heard of our difficulties, and came in with an offer to help us out.
This catapulted us to a place we had only dreamed of. I joined them as they had their own stores. It was a wonderful journey. In 1990, they encountered financial difficulties, and I had to leave and start again from scratch. I then opened my first store just near Pellegrini’s on Bourke Street, and this became the next stage of my journey.
Dom’s passion for design ignited during his formative years, leading him to hone his skills and develop a unique style that captures the essence of contemporary masculinity. His collections reflect a harmonious blend of classic tailoring and modern trends, appealing to a diverse clientele ranging from young professionals to seasoned executives.
Over the past four decades, Bagnato has built a reputation for excellence, earning accolades and a loyal following. His designs, often characterised by clean lines, rich fabrics, and meticulous attention to detail, have graced the wardrobes of many, including celebrities and public figures. As a testament to his influence, Dom Bagnato has become a go-to name for men seeking stylish yet timeless attire.
Fast forward to 40 years later, my wife Pia has been a support like no other. Without the right people, this wouldn’t have happened. My daughter and my son have also been a huge part of the business. The buyers, the Cambridge Group, without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
Dom says the consumer today is fragmented; the attitude is now individual, and the customer is more in tune with what they like and want to buy. The question today is, “Will it sell?” as it’s not necessarily about trends. Today, it’s harder to sell and harder to maintain a fashion business. We are not governed by trends or the latest looks. It’s individualized, and the question is, “Can we supply this amount of fashion looks?”
We ask Dom, now that he has reached 40 years, if he looks forward to celebrating 50 years one day, and he says, “I hope we’re still around in 10 years. I’d like my life to be more balanced, to enjoy my grandchildren and drink more coffee. My passion has not left me. My family is most important, and they come first, but I hope I can keep both. I’m happy with my journey.”
As Dom Bagnato reflects on his four decades in the industry, he remains committed to his roots while continually pushing the boundaries of style and innovation. His story is a testament to the power of dreams, hard work, and an unwavering dedication to one’s craft. Here’s to 40 years of extraordinary design, and many more to come!
Congratulation Dom, you’re simply a Fashion icon!
Written by Melinda Sullivan
Photography & Interview by Sam Tabone
Words by Dom Bagnato
