I get jolted awake as the Qantas QF33 touches down on the tarmac at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. It’s 6:50 AM, dark, and cold—a far cry from the sunny Sydney weather I’d just left behind. The journey from Sydney to Paris felt surreal, like one of those moments where you almost need to pinch yourself. I started Left of Field Golf in my brother’s old bedroom, a small room filled with everything from late-night brainstorming sessions to boxes stacked high with stock. Back then, the idea of our brand even being mentioned in the same breath as Paris Fashion Week was something I couldn’t even fathom. But here we were. The opportunity to showcase our FW25 collection at the Paris Golf Gallery—a platform that sits at the intersection of fashion and golf—felt like an undeniable leap forward.
As I shuffled off the plane and onto the terminal bus, the cold air wrapped around me, but it did little to dampen the excitement bubbling inside. As I arrived at my Hotel for the night, Paris, a city known for its fashion-forward mentality, was alive with a different kind of energy. I felt like I was walking into a whole new world. Or maybe that was just the jet lag.
The following day, I arrived at the group Golf Gallery Airbnb, which housed 13 people from all parts of the world—Australia, New Zealand (Hiroki), the UK (Club 72, Pitchmark Media, Ed, Parmore Golf... Kyle), Ireland (Low Cut), Austria (Vibe Caddy) ... By the day, it started to feel more like a golf-themed reality TV show. These people, whom most of them I’d only met and chatted with online, were suddenly a tangible part of my world. Virtual friendships quickly evolved into real-life connections. My Foreign Family.
As the exhibition date drew closer, the nerves set in. There was so much to think about: the details of the setup, ensuring the collection was displayed perfectly, meeting the right people, & trying to find a coffee on the level with Australia (thank you Fauna for your strong lattes & cardamom bun knots). Amidst all the chaos, there was an underlying sense of excitement I just couldn’t shake.
When the Gallery week officially began, the energy in the room was palpable. I’ve never been part of something that actually felt like a movement in real-time. Brands from across the globe showcasing together, trading laughs, and Tim Tams. It quickly became clear we all shared a common perspective—one that challenged the status quo of golf fashion.
What could’ve easily felt like a competitive showroom transformed into a space where we were all part of one big family. It’s not often you get so much experience, passion, and insight in one room, with everyone sharing their wins, pitfalls, and thoughts. It shouldn’t happen in reality, but that’s the beauty of the emerging golf space. It’s community first. One person can’t build Rome. It takes a collective... and maybe a few strong coffees along the way.
At its heart, the Paris Golf Gallery is more than just a space for fashion—it’s a community. A meeting point for innovation, creativity, and passion, where we come together to push the boundaries of the golf world as we know it. And as I stood there, surrounded by people who truly got it, I realized: this wasn’t just about showcasing a collection. It was about being part of something bigger.
A special thank you to the people who made this week possible - Pierre, Malo & the entire WRKS team, Club 72, Hiroki Golf, Chloe & Manila, Ed, Jack & Kyle, Olly, Local Rule & Students, Michel, Lost Balls & CPN Helm, Lend, Vibe Caddy as well as all of the pop-up brands, buyers & visitors who came through the showroom.
See you in June.
Images Courtesy of Pitchmark Media
