From the "clown-like" bell bottoms of 1976 to the modern tapered suits of 2017, John Hanna has been dressing the men of Canberra for more than four decades.
But it's the end of an era for Mr Hanna and his iconic fashion business, with the doors closing on the Bunda Street store at the end of July.
It was an emotional decision for Mr Hanna, who has dressed literally thousands of Canberra grooms for their weddings and measured many a prominent politician for new threads.
"It was a difficult decision for me to make but I think there comes a time in life - I'm not a boy anymore and I'd like to enjoy some down time before my day's done," he said.
"So after 41 years I've decided to give it away, close down the business, play a bit more golf and sit in the sun ... my time has come."
Mr Hanna moved to Canberra temporarily in 1969 but was forced to stay when he "met the woman of my dreams".
He worked for a number of retailers in the city until his brother-in-law - who happened to be building a brand new shopping centre in north Canberra - encouraged him to open his own store at the new development. The first John Hanna Menswear opened at Kippax Fair in 1976.
"Opening in Holt was fairly ambitious - we were taking a new trend and giving it a location that probably wasn't expecting us to be there," Mr Hanna recalled.
"But as it turns out, from small things, big things grow. We had our first foray into retail and the rest is history."
The iconic Civic store opened on Bunda Street "opposite a paddock where Canberra Centre now stands" in 1993, and has remained there since. The store stocks shirts, ties and suits designed and manufactured by Mr Hanna under the John Hanna brand, with the remaining stock imported from Italy.
Pushing the boundaries of men's fashion in Canberra has been his biggest achievement over the years, Mr Hanna said, and that has included keeping our public servants "fashion-forward".
"We've tried to bring forward-fashion but not avant garde fashion to Canberra over the years and, Canberra being a fairly conservative market, has tested our patience and our skills," Mr Hanna said.
"It was with a little bit of trepidation and a little bit of guts that we took the plunge and introduced what we did.
"But it's great to see that the standard of dress in this town - with our influence - has probably risen and I'm happy to have been part of that."
Everything old is new again according to Mr Hanna, with suit colours popular in the mid-70s now making a comeback.
"Fashion is an incredible thing, it reinvents itself," he said.
"The colours of the 70s are coming back in today. So we've turned a cycle in 40 years in that respect.
"But certainly not in the cut of the trouser. Let me tell you, baggy is daggy."
Fighting back tears, Mr Hanna thanked his many clients from across the years (including Barnaby Joyce, who was fitted for a new suit just two weeks ago).
"I'd obviously like to support all those that have supported this business over the years, it's been quite humbling to have so many people come in since we've been open," he said.
"And I'm getting a bit emotional here - but it's been a great journey for which I thank everyone and - as they've wished me - I wish them health and happiness."
We're at John Hanna - Fine Clothes For Men talking about the end of an era for the iconic store.
Posted by The Canberra Times on Monday, 26 June 2017