Canada Goose teams up with U.K. tailor
London firm pairs with Canada Goose to create a line of chic — but pricey — field coats
Eight years ago, when a few clients approached tailor Henry Poole in search of a casual down-filled blazer, the London-based team liked the idea, but didn’t think the design was exactly its forte.
“Those technologies, we don’t really have those types of machinery,” Simon Cundey, managing director of Henry Poole, recalls thinking at the time. “But it was a lovely thought.”
Fast forward to this month, and the idea of creating casual, travel-friendly blazers with the warmth of a down jacket and the tailoring of a chic field coat has come to reality. And it’s all thanks to Toronto-based company Canada Goose.
“We were introduced to Henry Poole by a friend of the brand and instantly saw an opportunity to collaborate: bringing together our expertise in warmth with their iconic reputation in tailoring,” says Lee Turlington, chief product officer for Canada Goose.
The collaboration yielded a curated capsule collection with made-in-Canada pieces: a downfilled blazer for men and women called the W1 Blazer ($1,795) available in navy, red and graphite and named after the area of London where the Henry Poole shop is located; and a unisex Woven Selvedge Scarf in dark green with a herringbone finish, made from merino wool ($250). The products were made available online at Canadgoose.com and in select company stores.
“The cut itself is a bit more tailored. It almost looks like a sport jacket or blazer, the way it looks. And that’s how it comes across. It’s a very elegant piece as well as a practical piece,” Cundey says of the W1 style.
But while a no-brainer for the two companies design-wise, the collaboration wasn’t without a few technical challenges.
“Henry Poole makes fine-tailored men’s suits, blazers and top coats. We make down-insulated outerwear with technical fabrics and features. The simple act of building a pattern with a tailored suit approach is different from our typical outerwear design process,” Turlington explains.
“We learned a lot from one another, but we never compromised anything in the execution.”
In addition to merging the elements of fashion and function, the partnership presented a perfect opportunity to build upon each company’s unique “emotional DNA,” mainly passing on family knowledge through generations of owners and products.
“At Canada Goose that can be traced back more than 60 years from Sam Tick to David Reiss to Dani Reiss. And from Henry Poole to Samuel Cundey and Simon Cundey over 200 years,” Turlington explains. “This collaboration was natural and fitting because we share those same values, the same commitment and rich heritage, and we see in ourselves a kinship in the level of craft and care instilled in every Henry Poole garment.”
So what’s up next for the outwear outfitter, which has partnered in the past with the likes of OVO, Opening Ceremony and Vetements?
Following the release of a unique partnership with Korean designer Juun.J, Turlington says the team will keep looking for other unique potential partners.
“We are always seeking to collaborate with iconic leaders in music, sport, film and fashion,” he says.
“Going forward you’ll continue to see us working with brands who share our values, inspire us and provide a sense of fun and excitement to our customers and fans.”