Sydney Archives | Mister Wolf | Timeless timepieces

Sydney's Scottie Henderson is a qualified fitness coach, creative director, and lifestyle photographer who finds endless inspiration in an active lifestyle. Scottie spoke to Mister Wolf about his passions, his favourite workout spots and his belief that nice shoes and a good watch can take you anywhere.

You combine creative direction, photography and fitness, at what point did those things come together for you?

I studied sports and exercise management with a major in marketing and I’ve always worked with clients who are in the health and fitness industry. Being around those kind of people inspired me to get moving and to start training with them. It is a lot easier to be creative and create content that is in line with what you are interested in and where your passions lie.

‘Baller’ and ‘Getting High’ are two of Scottie’s photos available for purchase in his online store.

I was working with all these great athletes who I formed friendships with and then I started training with them. In an effort to get to know what they did better, I started studying training techniques and got my Certificate IV in Fitness. Then I had all this information that I wanted to pass on.

Would you say you have a similar approach to how you train to how you perhaps create creative content?

Definitely. I create content with people who have similar training techniques to myself. When we’re taking photos – particularly if it is not a real workout – it means I am able to direct them and correct technique as we go along so that the photos look genuine and the videos are actually a real reflection of the work out.

Scottie Henderson describes his personal style as ‘very casual and quite laid back’. He is pictured wearing his MW1 39mm Model 017 watch.

What do you aim to convey with your images?

I never want to convey that exercise or working out is pretty. There is nothing kind of worse than that expectation versus reality thing. You have people who are working out and training in photos but their hair is done perfectly, the girls have make up on and they aren’t sweating.

I think it is a lot more interesting to create content where people are actually working hard and that can come across. It is still possible for people to look good and aspirational while they are working hard. They just won’t have their make up done and won’t be perfect.

As well as your work as a trainer and creative director/photographer, you are a co-founder of a business called, ALL I SEA, can you tell me about that and how it came about?

ALL I SEA is active swimwear. It is activewear you can swim in and swimwear you can work out in.

I have a business partner Keri and together we used to train with former Olympic swimmer and gold medallist Leisel Jones. We were having lunch after a training session and were saying that we wanted to go for a swim down the beach but we hadn’t brought our swimmers and the ocean water would rot our activewear. So we said ‘why don’t we create a product that fills the gap of what we need?’

ALL I SEA collection — The ALL I SEA launch collection

Triathlon is the perfect example of the kind of sport that All I Sea works for, but it also responds to the whole Crossfit emergence. People don’t want to be locked into just going to the gym for a workout or just doing a swim, they want to have the option to do everything and they want to be multi-athletes. All I Sea is just a clothing vehicle to allow them to participate in whatever they want to.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day I get up and train clients until about 10am, then I train myself. Then I come back and do all my ALL I SEA work. If I have a shoot that day, most of the time when I shoot, particularly with athletes, it will be in the morning.

Scottie works in some of Sydney’s top gyms.

What kind of clients do you photograph?

They aren’t the ones that I train. I am super lucky in that I get to take photos of the top personal trainers in Sydney because of the gyms that I go to and work at. They are all personal trainers, some are Crossfit, some are strength and conditioning. Boxing coaches. But what separates them from other personal trainers is that they are all ones who work for themselves or they are out there promoting that health and fitness lifestyle. They aren’t your Fitness First trainer who turns up, clocks on and clocks off and that’s it.

They really live and breathe the brand and it is a lifestyle thing.

You are obviously extremely active, how does your Mister Wolf watch complement that lifestyle?

I wear an Apple Watch when I am working out but that is mostly because I am interested in my heart rate. My Mister Wolf watch is dressy and casual at the same time. I can wear it to meetings and it will still look slim and sporty and cool enough that I can wear it with my activewear and it doesn’t look out of place. But then when I go out to dinner, it does look dressy.

Scottie is typically a t-shirt guy so this is rare shot of him in a collared shirt wearing his MW1.

Apart from the versatility, what else is it that you like about your MW1?

I really like the simplicity and that you could personalise it. Sometimes you can see a product and it is so close to what you want but you can’t make it exactly what you want, where in this you could.

Nice shoes and a nice watch and you can get away with anything.

I picked a model with the tan ban, white face and silver casing. I wear a lot of black so wanted my watch to stand out from that, I also didn’t want a black band and silver for me goes with everything. It was the simplicity.

How would you describe your personal style?

Very casual, quite laid back, quite simple as well. I am not a huge collared shirt wearer. I never usually wear prints on my shirts, I never wear ties or cufflinks or any of that. It is just always t-shirts, black or white. Really simple.

Sporty utilitarian?

I guess so! I try and wear nice shoes to dress it up though. Nice shoes and a nice watch and you can get away with anything.

Find out more about Scottie’s work on his Instagram or website, www.scottiehendo.com and discover All I SEA at allisea.co.

Scottie’s Guide to Sydney’s Best Beaches and Workout Spots

Favourite workout spot in Sydney? And why?

I’m very biased, but the gym I go to in Darlinghurst would have to be the top of my list. 98 Riley has created an unmatched culture, it’s an incredibly supportive, and the values that the trainers live by are genuine and authentic.

Having said that, sometimes it’s great to break the routine and sneak in a run along the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk early in the morning. If you beat the crowds, you can sometimes get sunrise all to yourself.

Sydney’s best kept secret or something people might not know about the area you live in.

Ben Buckler Point in North Bondi is a great hidden gem, especially for a swim or a workout. I often do boxing workouts with Transpose Fitness above the boat shed, then take a dip right off the rocks. The water is crystal clear and you can still look out over Bondi, but you’re removed enough from the hustle and bustle to clear your head and grab a moment to yourself.

Bondi surfer by Scottie Henderson — A Bondi surfer captured by Scottie Henderson

Favourite beach in Australia and why?

That would have to be Celitos Beach near Smiths Lakes. It’s about a 3 hour drive north of Sydney. Part of the adventure is driving down a dirt road to get there, then a small walk through an amazing rainforest to get to the beach. Once you’re there, you have your own private stretch of pure white sand, clean water, and a great surf break. I have had probably three of the best five surfs of my life there, including one trip where it was just my mate and myself surfing with a pod of dolphins. I didn’t have my camera out in the water that day, but I’m kind of glad because no picture could have done that moment justice.

Favourite beach overseas and why?

Playa Tamarindo in Costa Rica. The sunsets and surf at that beach are unlike any I’ve ever seen before. There are a lot of small deserted beaches surrounding that area that are also perfect little hideaways, with amazing volcanic rocky outcrops and coconuts littering the sand. It’s extremely hard to get to but really worth the hustle.

Henry Ng has a distinctive sartorial approach and an eye for design - characteristics the blogger showcases on his website Street Style Poser. Mister Wolf caught up with Henry to find out a bit more about his view of men's fashion and his favourite haunts in Sydney.

You started your blog in 2013, what prompted you to start blogging?
It started as, and still is, a creative outlet where I can do photography, writing, styling, video. I work in digital marketing during the day so it also ties in nicely from both strategy and creative perspective. I was blogging sporadically at the start, posting outfit content but it wasn’t really until early 2015, when I started collaborating with brands that I love, where I found my voice and brand DNA.

mister-Wolf-MW1-watch-street-style-poser-1

There is a strong travel aspect to your blog, what has been your favourite location so far?

Tokyo internationally and Cradle Mountain in Tasmania nationally. Tokyo is just weird and wonderful and I love how crazy things can get and yet, there is also that sense of deep tradition.

The landscape in Cradle Mountain is just stunning and you would think you’re in The Alps during winter.

Henry Ng of Street Style Poser in Tasmania. Photo via @streetstyleposer

How would you describe your personal style?
That’s a hard one. On one end of the spectrum, you have the dapper suit wearing guys and on the other, you have the edgy, innovative high fashionistas. I think I’m in the middle.

What attracted you to Mister Wolf watches?

The military-inspired aesthetic for this range is really a point of difference for me. The design is also classic and easy to work with. Watches are the last thing I throw on and I don’t really want to think about if they match with my outfit or not and that’s what’s good about Mister Wolf watches – they’re versatile.

mister-Wolf-MW1-watch-street-style-poser-2

Why did you choose the combination that you did?

I love tan leather and that’s how I really started with customising the watch. I combined the other elements around the strap and came up with what I thought looked best.

All photos by Street Style Poser. Check out Henry’s blog at www.streetstyleposer.com

Henry’s Guide to Inner-Sydney

Eat at… East London Restaurant in Paddington

They dish out some of the best Chinese-inspired cuisine with fresh produce. I just wish the serving was more generous!

East London, 85 Underwood Street, Paddington NSW; www.eastlondon.com.au.

If you want to BYO a crab, head to… Malacca Straits on Broadway, Chinatown

Malacca Straits is one of the best Malaysian restaurants in Sydney where you can BYO
crab and they will cook it however you like. The restaurant is a bit of a gem as it’s not on the main street so only locals know about it.

Malacca Straits, 5/66 Mountain St, Ultimo NSW; www.malaccastraitsbroadway.com.au

Visit… Brett Whitely Gallery

I really enjoy the Brett Whiteley gallery. The museum was also his home and studio until he died in 1992 so it feels very immersive to be viewing his works and set-up.

Brett Whitely Studio, 2 Raper St, Surry Hills NSW; www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/brett-whiteley-studio

Industrial designer Tom Fereday is an Australian designer to watch, creating thoughtful and enduring designs for some of the country's most interesting design brands. Here he shares what it was that drew him to design the MW1 watch for Mister Wolf.

Tom Fereday is part of the new wave of hugely-talented Australian industrial designers. Over the last three years, his name has been tied to some of the most thoughtful and interesting design projects by local designers and brands including of course, the design of the MW1 watch for Mister Wolf.

A designer of a broad range of products, from furniture to accessories and microphones, Tom pursues intelligent and thoughtful design outcomes and is interested in connecting people with objects through the use of natural materials and tactile finishes.

In this interview, Tom reveals his thinking behind the design of the MW1 and his approach to design.

What was your initial response when Mister Wolf founder Leighton Clarke approached you to design for him?

When I first got the brief, I was very interested in the project immediately. A watch is just one of those products – there is so much intricacy to it. I just thought the opportunity to design a watch was really cool.

The components of the MW1 watch designed by Tom Fereday for Mister Wolf.

My next reaction was a bit of concern! Because it is quite a challenging, defining kind of product that a lot of work goes into. But when I realised that Leighton used to be a watchmaker and it would be a collaboration between me as an industrial designer and Leighton and his expertise, I thought there was real potential for the project.

I knew it wasn’t just a styling exercise and that Leighton wanted to make a quality timepiece.

So you think your backgrounds were particularly complimentary for this project?

Yes. One of the reasons Leighton said that he got in touch with me is that I used to design microphones so I have strong experience in casting of metal. From a technical level it clicked to work as a product because I don’t just do furniture design.

Tom Fereday produced this custom watch holder and tray, hand-machined from solid brass, for a commission. Sitting on the tray is an MW1 watch. Photo by Fiona Susanto

Can you talk about this recurring idea around the MW1 watch that it is utilitarian but with personality?

There is definitely a minimal aesthetic that I aspire to but I feel there are so many products on the market that potentially lack personality. With Mister Wolf, thinking about designing something you wear everyday, the intentional direction was not to just be completely cold and stark but something with a bit of warmth to it.

For me they way that was interpreted was in the level of intricacy in the product. A lot of thought went into some the detailing that you see in the product, and that intricacy sometimes gets forgotten about in watches.

The objective was to make a quite minimal watch that was quite intricately thought out.

Can you tell me about some of the key details of the MW1?

The first thing was the casing design. The concept of the casing was to integrate the frame to the lug – the lug being the pieces that hold the strap – the idea was to make it as completely seamless as possible. With that champfer detail on the lug, which is softened off, it integrates entirely.

If you look at a normal lug they are typically quite separate to the form. We wanted to make a form that was considered from all angles. That was a key detail in the product and something that we wanted to keep quite sharp and minimal about it, but a certain level of intricacy that would demonstrate the consideration.

We then applied that to every detail of the product – detailing that was subtle and not in your face.

For example, you go to the crown and there’s a subtle champfer on the edge with a debossed logo. That level of detail was what we wanted on every element of the product, that you can sort of read, it makes it not only easy to use and feel but it is an integrated design so the language carries over.

Can you talk about the strap and what is the tool that comes with the watch?

We developed a custom tool so each product you can remove the strap. Normally it is quite difficult to take the strap off. This tool allows you to take the strap and replace it over the life of the product. So again that consideration for longevity and also just a nice maintenance thing that people can as well as customise the initial order, they can customise the product over its lifetime.

Again working someone like a watchmaker like Leighton is a reason that concepts like this arose, something that I might not have thought about on my own.

What about the watch face? What was the thinking behind that?

On the dial, instead of going for off-the-shelf parts, we custom-tooled every element of it. So we stamped our second hands with the Mister Wolf logo, again not to put in your face branding but a subtle bit of personality to the product, rather then just regular second hand.

The hour markers, instead of being printed are raised and adhered to the face, which just adds a bit of depth to the product.

Then again we custom made the hour and minute, as standard to have glow in the dark elements on it.

That’s a bit retro!

Yeah, everything kind of leads back towards a more classic military style watch. It is quite a minimal product but with quite a lot of intricacies to it. That was another one that as standard it comes glow in the dark, as standard it has a calendar movement, so it is trying to have quite a lot of detail without being too much.

Really it was that watchmaker knowledge with industrial designer combination that kind of added some depth to the product.

When you are working on a new design do you picture what kind of person might wear it in your head?

Not really. I was designing something that was very strongly unisex. We didn’t want it to be a masculine or a feminine product. It had to definitely be something that anyone could see on them.

The Wes Lounge designed by Tom Fereday for Zenith Interiors. Photo by Fiona Susanto

The market, for me, how you present a product to market is one thing, but when you design a product I design for any one of any age. Leighton and I even talked about the fact that it could look great to shoot the watches on someone older. MW1 is not geared only to young people.

What did you think of the customisable concept of Mister Wolf when Leighton told you about it?

That it was a lot of work! [laughing] The customisation is something that was really important to Leighton about the project and is a real point of difference to the product.

That concept of mass-customisation is really interesting. I think it is a non-buckling trend that people really want. If you look at what Apple has done with their latest watch, they are doing the same thing because nobody wants to have the same watch as anyone else.

Tom-Fereday-Pieman-Chair-Dessein — The Pieman chair designed by Tom Fereday for Dessein Furniture

People want to have their own product and their own identity and this product with its 100 variations allows you to do that.

The undertaking on this project is unique in a few ways. I don’t know any watch that has been designed and assembled in Sydney currently.

It’s a huge point of difference and a huge undertaking for Leighton as a watchmaker to have gone down that process.

What was the biggest challenge of the project?

I think settling on the design of the frame. This frame looks simple but it is the key to the product and what gives it a point of difference.

The rest fell around that, once the frame was locked in we had the size of the dial, the crown to work on, the strap. It is the base starting point.

Tom’s Insider’s Guide to Sydney’s Inner-West

The Commune in Waterloo. — The Commune in Waterloo on opening night.

Eat at… Steki’s Greek Restaurant

I recommend people check out Steki’s Greek Restaurant. It has live music, is open very late and full of normal people!

Steki Taverna, 2 O’Connell St, Newtown NSW 2042;
www.stekitaverna.com.au

Visit.. The Commune

If you haven’t checked out the new Commune space in Waterloo/Surry Hills you gotta do it if only to check out the beautiful space. It started as a co-working space for Sydney creatives in Newtown and they have now expanded.

You can go there to hot desk but also for exhibitions, workshops and other events and even yoga by donation.

COMMUNE, 901 Bourke Street, Waterloo NSW 2017;
www.thecommune.co

A collection of silkscreen prints on Perspex by artist Kate Banazi at the Currency exhibition at Melbourne's Lamington Drive — A collection of silkscreen prints on Perspex by artist Kate Banazi at the Currency exhibition at Melbourne’s Lamington Drive

Fans of contemporary art you need to know about.. artist Kate Banazi

Kate Banazi makes some of the most beautiful work in her workshop. She was one of the artists involved in Local Design, an exhibition of Australian artists and designers I co-curated and took to Milan in April 2016.

www.katebanazi.com

The hugely popular blog 'Men in this Town' is the destination for those interested in a carefully curated expression of men's street style. Now a retail concept attached to the brand - The Mitt Mrkt - is making that style available to men in Sydney, and those shopping for them.

The man behind Men in This Town, art director and blogger Giuseppe Santamaria, doesn’t just have an eye for detail. He has a spectacular talent for spotting and documenting men on the street who are confident in their sartorial choices.

So for men interested in stylish fashion and accessories for men The Mitt Mrkt, Santamaria’s new retail store in Sydney’s Darlinghurst, is a destination not to be missed.

We caught up with The Mitt Mrkt co-founder Clara Ho to talk about the concept behind the store, its emphasis on stocking local brands (such as Mister Wolf!) and her favourite Darlinghurst haunts.

The Mitt Mrkt's co-founders Giuseppe Santamaria of Men in this Town and Clara Ho of Burton Metal Depository. — The Mitt Mrkt’s co-founders Giuseppe Santamaria of Men in this Town and Clara Ho of Burton Metal Depository. Photo: Amy Janowski

Mister Wolf: Can you tell us about the origins of The Mitt Mrkt?

Clara Ho: The Mitt Mrkt is a collaboration between myself and Giuseppe Santa Maria. I am primarily a designer, I used to be an architect and now I do jewellery and accessory designer. My studio is called Burton Metal Depository and I focus on men’s pieces –cufflinks and rings and necklaces that are more catered for guys.

Giuseppe, my business partner, is the founder of Men in This Town (MITT) which is a men’s street style and fashion blog, which has become a set of books and magazines. So we are both focused on the area of men’s fashion.

How did you two meet?

We actually met when I did the pop-up in the same location in Darlinghurst where the Mitt Mrkt is now, around father’s day. It was called the Man Cave and I had curated a heap of local designers and makers for that.

Based off the men’s street style blog Men In This Town, MITT magazine is a printed digest capturing the everyday man in his natural habitat.

We had fashion, homewares, accessories… and Guiseppe came into the shop and saw it. Having a retail project for MITT was always something he had had in the back of his mind. I had the retail experience and the connection to the designers so we decided to partner to create The Mitt Mrkt.

It is about everybody having a story to tell.. There’s something special about the detail in every piece that we have.

How long has The Mitt Mrkt been open for now?

It was originally only supposed to be for a month but we have now extended it until September 2016 at least. With the pop-up we are introducing ourselves and our designers to the locals while we work on a permanent shop. The new shop in Foley Street Darlinghurst is under construction. It will be just behind Oxford Street so the same locality which is good.

L-R: Bow ties by Bee Sees and cuffs from Burton Metal Depository. A member of the Citizen Wolf team making a custom t-shirt onsite at The Mitt Mrkt. Photos: The Mitt Mrkt / Instagram

For something to be right for The Mitt Mrkt, what qualities does it have to have?

Firstly we look at the aesthetics of the product. Whether it compliments the Men in This Town brand. Also the quality of the product, the fact it is Australia designed, and that we can stand behind the product as well, that they are beautifully-made and going to last you a long time, that they are quality and they have that masculine edge.

How would you describe the aesthetic of the brands in your store?

It is about everybody having a story to tell. So individual pieces might be understated, but they have that point of uniqueness. There’s something special about the detail in every piece that we have.

The Mitt Mrkt, Darlinghurst. Photo: Amy Janowski

What attracted you to Mister Wolf watches?

Definitely the aesthetic, the amount of detail that is in the product. The way that they have designed it so you can put together your different components.

The colours. You can design it yourself – it is really cool. Even the fact that the hands might be a different colour is really unique and the attention to detail.

Find The Mitt Mrkt at 72 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010; www.themittmrkt.com.

Clara’s Insider’s Guide to Darlinghurst, Sydney

Jacaranda trees in Darlinhurst Sydney. — Jacaranda trees on Riley Street in Darlinghurst Sydney. Photo: shesdwing / instagram

Drink… At the bar in Darlinghurst that’s pocket-sized but full of personality

My favourite local bar is definitely Pocket Bar. It has consistently great service, delicious drinks/food and a cosy atmosphere.

Pocket Bar, 3 Burton St, Darlinghurst, Sydney NSW 2010; www.pocketsydney.com.au.

Don’t forget.. To take a moment to look beyond the urban grit

It’s magical walking down Riley street, from Oxford Street to Stanley Street, in late spring and early summer. The Jacaranda flowers drop and carpet the street in a sea of purple.

The combination of the beautiful old facades of the terrace houses, you could imagine you’re on a film-set.

Fans of handmade jewellery must.. visit The Strand Arcade

My favourite gallery is Courtesy of the Artist in The Strand Arcade – every single piece of jewellery in the shop is beautifully made and is something to treasure forever. Plus, they do a lot to support local artists and makers

Courtesy of the Artist, Shop 122-124, Level 2, The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000; www.courtesyoftheartist.com.au.

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Scottie Henderson on active style and the raw beauty of fitness training