Haider Ackermann joins Canada Goose as the brand’s first-ever creative director. The announcement confirms that the French designer is becoming the creative lead for the luxury parka maker. Both the designer and the brand took to Instagram to make the announcement. Critically acclaimed and globally known actress Jane Fonda appeared as a part of the announcement campaign, showing her support for Ackermann’s new appointment.

In a statement, CEO Dani Reiss said, “We’ve done many of those over the years, but that time has come to an end and we’re moving into having one individual oversee the entire thing. I think that’s more authentic to who we are.” Reiss is the grandson of founder Sam Tick. Having been CEO of the company since 2001, he was able to turn Canada Goose into a billion-dollar business. He continued, “I have always said to everybody in the company we’re not fashionable. We understand that we sell products in the fashion marketplace, and our customers are fashionable people, but we ourselves aren’t a fashion brand. We’re the Land Rover of clothing.” Under his CEO-tenure, Reiss has expanded Canada Goose’s reach and has collaborated with a bevy of brands including Vetements, OVO, Opening Ceremony, Y/Project, Marc Jacobs and KidSuper.

In finding a creative director for the brand, Reiss shares why he chose Ackermann, “It took a long time to find the right person for this role. To take something real and elevate it requires somebody who’s equally as authentic. And that’s what I saw: a shared passion for authenticity, for craftsmanship, for quality. Haider is uncompromising. He’s a perfectionist. He wants everything to be at the highest level, which is similar to us.”

Ackermann first became aware of the brand through Junya Watanabe’s collaborations. The designer spoke about his fit at Canada Goose, “Sometimes I like to go for the unexpected. When I signed with Berluti, nobody would have expected me to touch classical menswear.” On what drew him to the brand, Ackermann looked back into Canada Goose’s archives and spoke of its technical design aspects, “The puffa coats back in the 60s were pink, orange, yellow, all kinds of colours. What’s in the shops now and what you had in the past, it’s just another world. And it was so technical.”

To mark the major appointment of Ackermann at Canada Goose, the brand is launching a special edition hoodie that will raise money for PBI. Ackermann’s first collection for the brand will arrive in the Fall. Take a look at both Canada Goose’s and Ackermann’s statements below on Instagram.

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