Extreme weather outerwear brand, Canada Goose has collaborated with South Africa’s Thebe Magugu. The collaborative piece in question? A jacket they have named “the Heirloom Mystique Parka”. My favourite thing about this jacket is the cool photograph that inspired the design!
About Thebe Magugu
Thebe Magugu is founder and creative director of his namesake contemporary brand. The threads of innovation, thought-provoking discourse and South African culture, are woven through all his presentations and have earned him international acclaim:
- In 2017, he experienced his breakout moment when he collaborated with Woolworth on a Spring/Summer 2017 collection.
- In 2019, he became the first African to win the LVMH Prize for young designers. This was the feat that put him on my radar and I’ve been following his career quite closely since then.
Throughout his brand’s journey he has collaborated with global brands such as Dior, AZ Factory and Adidas and is stocked at Bergdorf Goodman, Net-a-Porter and others.
The Collaboration
With all the success he has chalked over the past few years it is no surprise that he is yet again engaging in another high profile collaboration. This time, the collaboration in question is with Canada Goose, an outerwear brand that has been in existence since 1957.
According to Thebe, the Heirloom Mystique Parka was designed as an homage to his Sotho heritage and upbringing from times spent in Mafeteng (Lesotho).
“The Heirloom Mystique Parka’s starting point was a found image of my uncle Teko Magugu in his youth looking incredibly regal in his blanket, pinned once on the shoulder and cascading down, enveloping his body. The blanket acts as a canvas for the abstract, celebratory print. I wanted to translate this into the Heirloom Mystique Parka – combining the heritage explored by the Thebe Magugu brand and the cutting-edge protective outerwear from Canada Goose.” – Thebe Magugu
Fashion collaborations are a dime a dozen but I think this one stands out because of the story behind it. Thebe was able to translate a photo that depicted his culture into an item of clothing that anyone can wear.
The Thebe Magugu x Canada Goose Parka is now available in key Canada Goose stores alongside select retailers. Online, the parka is available on the Canada Goose EU Website.
