Sir Edward Poljak
Sydney, Australia
Biography
Sir Edward Poljak is the founder of Maison de Poljak, an Australian-Croatian businessman, model and former Australian Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer whose life and career have been shaped by service, discipline, leadership and an enduring appreciation for European heritage and classic gentleman's style.
His story did not begin in fashion.
Military Service
Edward served in the Australian Army from 1987 to 2004, rising to Senior Non-Commissioned Officer rank and serving as a Sergeant.
Across more than sixteen years of military service, his experience encompassed infantry, operations, personnel management, administration, logistics and supply. The Army instilled principles that would remain central throughout his later professional and personal life: discipline, preparation, resilience, responsibility and leadership by example.
His military career was complemented by formal studies through the Australian Defence College, including qualifications in management, human resources management, and workforce development and training.
After leaving full-time military service, Edward remained closely connected to the defence environment through facilities and infrastructure management, before moving into human resources, workforce development, private business, property operations and executive leadership.
These experiences eventually became part of the philosophy behind Maison de Poljak.
Heritage. Strength. Legacy.
They are not simply words attached to the brand. They represent values accumulated over a lifetime.
From Leadership to Entrepreneurship
Following his military career, Edward built a professional life spanning defence facilities management, human resources and workforce development, private enterprise, property management and business operations.
He served in facilities management with Sodexo in the defence environment, subsequently worked in human resources and training with Ingeus, and later established and directed private business interests.
His later career expanded into property and multi-site operations, alongside executive responsibilities and business development.
Across these different industries, one principle remained consistent: standards matter.
Presentation matters. Detail matters. How a person conducts himself matters.
It was from this combination of military discipline, European heritage, business experience and a lifelong appreciation for traditional gentleman's style that the concept of Maison de Poljak began to take shape.
Chivalry & Service
Edward's interest in the traditions of chivalry developed into active service within international chivalric organisations.
From 2018 to 2022, he served with OSMTH, the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, attaining the rank of Knight Commander and serving in a commandery leadership capacity as Marshal.
In 2022, another chapter began through the Equestrian Military Order of Maria Regina. He was subsequently promoted to Knight Captain and appointed Commander of the Lieutenancy of Australia, participating in an international organisation whose activities have included charitable and humanitarian work.
In September 2025, Edward received further honorary recognition through the Imperial Order of the Knights of the Grand Cross.
For Edward, however, chivalry is not simply a title, decoration or historical tradition. Its relevance lies in the principles behind it: faith, honour, service, personal responsibility, protection of others and the expectation that character must accompany position.
Those principles would later become inseparable from the identity of Maison de Poljak.
Paris & Henda Mod
In 2026, Edward's personal and professional journey brought him to Paris.
Working alongside Henda Mod, the Paris period became an important creative and commercial chapter. It brought together fashion, photography, modelling, e-commerce, business development and plans for international expansion across Europe, Australia and the United States.
Paris also provided something less tangible.
It placed Edward within an environment where heritage, architecture, tailoring, craftsmanship and personal presentation remain part of everyday cultural language.
The experience helped crystallise an idea that had been developing for years: creating a gentleman's house that was not governed by temporary fashion trends, but by character, craftsmanship and timeless masculine style.
Founding Maison de Poljak
Maison de Poljak was formally established in 2026.
Its name deliberately carries the family name.
For Edward, that makes the house personal.
Maison de Poljak was conceived as more than an online menswear store. It represents Edward's interpretation of the modern gentleman, informed by his Croatian heritage, Australian life, military background, European influences, chivalric traditions and decades of leadership experience.
The collections bring together classic menswear accessories, handmade footwear, leather goods, scarves, jewellery and gentleman's essentials selected around a common philosophy.
Pieces should possess character.
They should age well.
They should feel equally appropriate in Paris, Sydney, Vienna or Zagreb.
Above all, they should belong to a wardrobe rather than a season.
That philosophy is expressed through the house's three defining words:
HERITAGE. STRENGTH. LEGACY.
Heritage represents where we come from.
Strength represents the character required to stand for something.
Legacy represents what we leave behind.
Modelling
In his fifties, Edward entered another unexpected chapter: professional modelling.
Rather than attempting to recreate youth, his work embraces maturity, silver hair, experience and individuality.
He now works across editorial, commercial, lifestyle and UGC modelling while also creating photographic and video content for fashion, accessory and lifestyle brands.
His modelling and Maison de Poljak increasingly intersect.
He is not simply the founder behind the company. He is part of its visual language, wearing the products, creating campaigns and presenting his interpretation of the Maison de Poljak gentleman.
The approach reflects a broader belief that style does not have an expiry date and that maturity should be represented with confidence rather than concealed.
Featured Press
Modeling Inc
Edward's Fall 2026 profile explores his journey into modeling and the experiences behind his approach to style.
Read the featureBrand
Collaborations
Some links may be affiliate links.
Maison de Poljak
Today, Maison de Poljak sits at the intersection of Edward's different worlds.
Australia gave him much of his professional and military foundation.
Croatian heritage provides family identity and a connection to Europe.
Paris strengthened the creative direction.
Military service provided discipline.
Chivalric service reinforced the concepts of honour and responsibility.
Business provided the ability to turn an idea into an enterprise.
And modelling gave the house its human face.
Together, they form the story of Maison de Poljak.
Not a brand invented around a fictional character, but a house developed from a life already lived.
Maison de Poljak
HERITAGE. STRENGTH. LEGACY.
Discover Edward's menswear and accessories brand.
Contact
Get in Touch
For modeling, content creation and brand collaboration enquiries, connect with Edward on Instagram.
Contact Edward