In the world of high fashion collaborations, South African luxury designer Thebe Magugu continues to leave an indelible mark. With a portfolio boasting partnerships with the likes of Valentino, Dior, Singita, and Adidas, Magugu has once again made waves with his latest endeavor – a groundbreaking collaboration with the reputable outerwear brand, Canada Goose.
From a rising star to a sought-after designer, Thebe Magugu's journey continues to reshape the fashion landscape, blending cultural influences with functional design in his work. His rise began with his victory at the 2019 LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize, followed by being a finalist in the 2021 International Woolmark Prize. His recent collaborations, with sportswear brand and now outerwear showcases his evolving versatility as a designer.
Canada Goose, renowned for crafting top-tier outerwear tailored for extreme weather conditions has recently initiated a new limited series, the Hood Trim Collective. Calling Magugu among 3 luxury labels Collina Strada and Mira Mikati in its latest creative endeavor. The focus was on breathing new life into Canada Goose's Mystique Parka pieces. The outcome of the collaboration is nothing short of spectacular, highlighting Magugu's contribution to this collective effort as simply breathtaking.
Drawing inspiration from his BaSotho heritage, Magugu crafted a design that pays homage to his upbringing in Mafeteng, Lesotho. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed, “I wanted to design it as an homage to my Sotho heritage and upbringing from times spent in Mafeteng (Lesotho), which has influenced so much of my work as a fashion designer.” In an interview with Highsnobiety, he further adds that "when looking at any brand partnerships, [he] always wants to align [himself] with a brand with similar values and design aesthetics. Canada Goose is such a recognizable and iconic brand that is known for its quality in design, execution, and function — all values that [he] looks for and see in [his] own designs". His unapologetic choice to incorporate his heritage and family account in this collaboration attributes to his unique voice, as the Heirloom Mystique Parka seamlessly blends Canada Goose's expertise in creating high quality outerwear with Thebe Magugu's unique style.
The Heirloom Mystique Parka jacket is made of performance satin and features a hood trim inspired by a black scarf-inspired hooded trim, providing maximum protection and comfort in extreme environments. Elevating the parka's insulation amongst various sustainable fabrics is a high quality Merino wool Heirloom Shawl Hood Trim, offering an extra layer of defense.
The parka design also incorporates interior backpack straps, ensuring for an easy-carry in warmer weathers.
In essence, Thebe Magugu's collaboration with Canada Goose is a testament to his ability to infuse cultural heritage seamlessly into functional, high-end fashion. The Heirloom Mystique Parka stands as a symbol of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.
The Thebe Magugu X Canada Goose collaboration is officially available, if you wish to shop the limited edition line: Visit Canada Goose website or selected Canada Goose retailers.