Sydney-based men’s fashion label Three Over One is inspired by the vintage man. The label draws influence from American sportswear from the World War Two era of the 1930-40’s, and by a British working man’s wardrobe. 2009 marks the labels first collection.
In an interview with Scott Schuman (founder of The Satorialist), Three Over One designer Jim Thompson states: “The collection has a rugged and relaxed elegance with an appreciation of the attitudes, style, quality and workmanship of the past “”[Three Over One is about] getting back to what men need from their clothes — practicality and versatility”
Jim was born in London in 1973 and studied at the University of Manchester where he received a degree in The Management and Marketing of Textiles. He then pursued a successful career in the UK and Australia as a buyer for a variety of well known brands and retail chains, before setting up his own label Three Over One in 2008.
Three Over One is built around classic wardrobe staples and is influenced by vintage styling, fabrication and make. Jim designs collections that are driven by practical end use, for real people and real lives but always with a rugged elegance.
Three Over One is a collaborative effort of Jim Thompson and fellow Australian fashion designer Kinae Kim (known for women's clothing label Staple). The result is an old-school vintage look, with pleated Japanese denim, Italian check cotton shirting and dull shades. In a nutshell, Three Over One clothing is a practical men’s fashion label without compromise for quality – It is no one the label’s tagline reads “Honest, Hardworking Mens Apparel”
Heavily inspired by the photography of Irvin Penn, particularly his 1951 series “Small Trades”, where he photographed a wide range of people in a stark studio environment wearing their everyday working attire, Australia’s Three Over One spring/summer 2011 collection continues with designer Jim Thompson celebration of the working man in a range of rugged yet elegant menswear. The collection consists of unstructured tailoring with cropped fitted jackets and pleated relaxed fitting pants. Denim jeans are in the best Japanese Selvedge qualities with authentic fits and styling. Shirts are in soft washed linens and cottons and knits are influenced by vintage under garments and early athletic wear.
Three Over One is built around classic wardrobe staples and is influenced by vintage styling, fabrication and make. Jim designs collections that are driven by practical end use, for real people and real lives but always with a rugged elegance.
