May 15, 2024 |
Haider Ackermann has been appointed the first-ever creative director of Canada Goose. Acclaimed for his impeccable tailoring and ingenious comprehension of colour, the Colombian-born French designer will be based in Paris and work alongside Canada Goose chairman and chief executive officer Dani Reiss, to bring the extreme weather outerwear brand into a new era defined by an elevated creative vision. “What drew me to Canada Goose is not only how they have created a category, but also its authentic reputation and drive to stay committed to its purpose,” says Ackermann. “The impact this brand has had on the world around us is meaningful and inspirational.”
Founding his namesake brand in 2001, Ackermann was creative director of Berluti between 2016 and 2018 and has served as a creative consultant for Maison Ullens since 2021. In 2022, he became the fourth name to take the reins of Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture atelier with a one-off collection that was presented during Paris Fashion Week. Speaking on the directorial appointment, Reiss comments, “When it comes to the marriage of craftsmanship and beauty, there’s no one more fitting than Haider Ackermann. He intuitively understands Canada Goose as a brand apart from all others, and that authenticity, craftsmanship and performance are the cornerstones of our brand. With his distinct ability to harness the energy and potential of our authentic heritage, I look forward to seeing his impact across our designs.”
Welcoming him in with a purpose-led project, to accompany the monumental induction, Ackermann has designed a limited-edition Canada Goose hoodie from which 100 percent of proceeds will go toward the Canadian brand’s long-time charitable partner, Polar Bears International. Made from organic cotton and imagined during a trip to Churchill, Manitoba (the polar bear capital of the world) that Ackermann embarked on at the end of last year with Reiss, proceeds from the sale of the jumper will contribute to funding for vital research, implementing innovative conservation strategies and educating communities about the importance of protecting the Arctic and polar bears. “I consider myself a student of the environment and my trip to Churchill lit a fire to do more and be more,” the designer says.
For the PBI hoodie campaign, Ackermann appears bright eyed and grinning alongside Academy Award-winning actor, producer, author and activist Jane Fonda. Ackermann says, “My hope is that by coming together with the extraordinary climate champion Jane Fonda, we can help drive people to act – and to do it now.” Fonda comments, “Collective action is the only way we can go further, faster,” said Jane Fonda. “I have put my full force into inspiring planet-friendly choices to address the climate crisis, and partnering with Haider and Canada Goose to bring attention to what’s happening in the Arctic is powerful, important and essential.”
At present, Ackermann is working on his first seasonal capsule collection set to launch this autumn/winter 2024.
The PBI Hoodie is now available for purchase in select Canada Goose stores around the world. Shop here. Photography by Willy Vanderperre.
