On Wednesday morning, Canada Goose announced Haider Ackermann as its first-ever creative director.

"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," the Colombia-born French designer said, in a statement. "The impact this brand has had on the world around us is meaningful and inspirational."

This is a totally new role at the brand. Ackermann will work from Paris, reporting to CEO Dani Reiss. His debut collection is expected to arrive this fall, but Canada Goose released a limited-edition sweatshirt and campaign photographed by Willy Vanderperre starring Jane Fonda in support of Polar Bears International to celebrate the appointment.

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Ackermann is a towering figure in fashion: In addition to helming his beloved (but now mostly dormant) label, he was the creative director of Berluti and served as a guest couturier for Jean Paul Gaultier in 2023. He's a favorite of stars such as Tilda Swinton and Timothée Chalamet, responsible for a fair share of viral cultural moments. (Remember the latter's backless look at the Venice Film Festival? Custom Haider Ackermann.) He's also known to experiment, releasing collaborations with a range of brands, from the high-end (see: JPG Haute Couture) to more mass (Fila).

"When it comes to the marriage of craftsmanship and beauty, there's no one more fitting than Ackermann," Reiss said, in a statement. "With his distinct ability to harness the energy and potential of our authentic heritage, I look forward to seeing his impact across our designs."

Canada Goose has always had a strong foothold in the fashion space. Though it's perhaps best known commercially, it's worked with designers like Kidsuper, Collina Strada's Hillary Taymour and Angel Chen, plus collaborated with Drake's OVO brand and Supreme. It was also once controversial for its use of fur, but has since gone fur-free.

With the addition of this new public-facing creative role, Canada Goose beefs up its industry credibility — something we've seen its competitors also do in recent years, like Moncler with its Genius collections and The North Face with its designer collaborations. We'll be tuning in to Ackermann's take on the brand.

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