DESIGN PROFILE
An interview with Angus Forrest, director of newly launched Forrest Golf and his vision for redefining golf clothing in the Australian market and how Australian made is so important.
How did you start Forrest Golf ?
I play golf regularly. I come from a retail and clothing background so I’m always interested in looking at the golf clothing in the pro shops. I realised there was a gap in the market for an Australian made golf label that could crossover between fashion and golf, plus be in tune with our Australian lifestyle. I started chatting about my idea to Golf Professionals as well as avid golfing friends and they were really supportive and encouraging.
When I worked at Perri Cutten , we made over 80% of our garments locally and it reflected in the quallity and the ability to react to our customers needs. I was really keen to make golf clothing in Australia. I’ve known Ba for over twenty years, and he has a great eye for craftmanship and quality. We started Forrest Golf together in April 2020.
My wife Sally is a clothing/graphic designer and she designed our logo. We decided on a gum tree as they are very common on Australian golf courses and they represent being Australian so well. She picked a good looking tree at a course and combined with our name Forrest Golf we think it suits our golf label to a tee.
What is unique about Forrest Golf ?
We are redefining golf clothing to be a combination of fashion, performance, comfort and longevity, while being versatile enough for everyday wear. You can wear our clothing on and off the course.
We have trend statements such as ruffles and checks, combined with super stretchy comfortable fabrications which support flexibility and movement during your game.
Our Men’s stretch pants are engineered for flexibilty, but you can wear them off the course, they are really comfortable.
We design with consideration for longevity. Our Australian craftsmanship ensures durability and quality. I think consumers are understanding that fast fashion is not great for the environment.
Give me 6 words to describe Forrest Golf.
Fashion. Performance. Comfort. Longevity. Quality. Versatility.
Where do you find your inspiration ?
Sally, my wife and I work together on the range. I am inspired by playing golf. When I start to develop the range I am inspired by high quality fabrics which will provide the stretch and the comfort needed on the golf course. I work on the colour palette and decide what kind of prints we need. Sally researches the Men’s and Women’s trends, both outerwear and key active trends. She will translate those trends to fit in with our design philosophy of fashion and performance. Sally will then design the proposed range and I will bounce the design ideas with golf professionals and our golf community. We will refine from there.
Why is fashion important in golf clothing ?
We think if you look good you will play well ! Golf is as much a game of the mind as a game of skill. If you are feeling confident and comfortable you will enjoy your game more.
Injecting fashion into golf clothing means it can be more versatile, it can work off the course as easily as on the course.
A golfer friend wore her Forrest Golf “Steph ruffle polo” out to dinner one week and played golf in it the next week.
What will we be wearing on course in 2021 ?
Ginghams and checks are a long term trend. We have a terrific oversized black and white gingham in our “Jade” capri pants which combines with any of the nine colours available in our super soft stretch cotton long sleeve “Sally Polo”. Another of our on trend checks is a black and latte check in a full length stretch jean style “Susan“ pant. This looks terrific with the black short sleeve “Steph” polo which has on trend ruffles on the neck and sleeve edge. Our pant fits are very flattering as well as flexible.
Why is Australian made important to you ?
Making clothing in Australia under the careful eye of Ba, my business partner, ensures the quality is assured every step of the way.
Forrest Golf manufactures in Australia not only to ensure quality and longevity, but also because we can react quickly to customers needs as well as support local jobs.
Follow us on insta @forrestgolfaustralia
2 comments
Congratulations on producing a brilliant golf label. I’ve been playing golf for 16 years and purchased a lot of clothes over this time and I honestly can say that Forest golf is right up there with my favourite labels. Well done and I look very much to wearing Forest for a long time. Oh and 👏👏to Australia made🙌🏌️♀️
I have bought your golf shirt and love the feel of the fabric. I would like to know where the cotton is grown, spun and woven? I love the fact the clothes are made in Australia! Thank you.