The Spectrum SS25 Collection
Mandatory has been a stalwart of kiwi’s men’s fashion since Clare Bowden and Fiona Voisey first saw a gap in the market back in 1997. They take pride in tailoring to their clients and using the finest materials, because in their words “it is not worthwhile putting cheap fabrics with expensive labour. That makes everything we do expensive and makes it imperative to make things well, to be of value.”
Now that’s an ethic I can get behind.
Mandatory grew up on Cuba Street, but you can find them now on Ghuznee Street in Wellington, or in cyberspace at mandatory.co.nz.
Ben Stevens – Standing 6’8” Ben Stevens aka DJ Longboss, architect, record label producer and father of two discovered Mandatory through the music scene. Mandatory adds 16cm to the length and moves the knee position on his pants. They’ve been making his trousers and shirts for more than 20 years.
“Mandatory is great for acknowledging that we all come in different shapes and sizes,” – Ben Stevens
Jeremy Baker – The CEO of the Food and Fibre Workforce Development Council (soon to change its name to Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board); and secretary of the Wellington Pride Festival, Jeremy is also a staunch ambassador for Wellington, supporting local and has been shopping at mandatory since 1997. His personal life and Mandatory track amazingly together. Jeremy began buying clothing from Mandatory the same year he met his partner of 28 years, Wellington district court judge Bill Hastings. Mandatory also moved from Cuba St to its current Ghuznee St location on his birthday on 10 April 2018.
“I’ve got T-shirts that I bought from Mandatory’s Cuba St store 20 years ago and still wear. They really have lasted,” – Jeremy Baker
Ezra Pedro Jennings – One of Mandatory’s longest serving customers, Ezra has been shopping and wearing Mandatory for 28 years and gives his suits empowering nicknames. As a Kiwi of Tokelauan descent, he finds shopping at menswear stores in general usually a frustrating experience, which is one of the reasons he’s stayed loyal to Mandatory because they make clothing that fits people, not mannequins and understand the Pacifica male shape.
“My Mandatory gear gives me the ‘wings for action’ to deliver my mahi successfully,” – Ezra Pedro Jennings
M2 December 2025 Issue
Ralf Hawley and Ruby – Ralf and his dog Ruby both wear Mandatory. Recently Ruby (a seven-year-old cavoodle) become the first ever recipient of Mandatory’s new dog coat line. Ralf walked into Mandatory for the first time three years ago and has found it enlightening. Both he, and Ruby, have an ever-growing Mandatory wardrobe.
“The ability to have something custom made for the same price as an off-the-rack garment is pretty special. I don’t think there are many other menswear stores offering that sort of service,” – Ralf Hawley