TORONTO, ON (February 6, 2023) – Canada Goose announced the launch of a new collaboration with acclaimed Streetwear designer, Chris Gibbs of UNION LA, as part of its multiyear partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The limited-edition, five-piece collection is a modern take on classic Americana designs and patterns, each crafted with the West Coast lifestyle in mind.
Chris Gibbs is the owner of Los Angeles-based streetwear shop, UNION LA. A pioneer of some of the earliest streetwear designs, UNION was born out of the desire to have a place to showcase the local community, culture, music, art and fashion. For the past 20 years the brand, led by Gibbs, has been bringing consumers a curated selection of up-and-coming designers mixed with luxury brands from all over the world, paying homage to streetwear culture and community through their unique and expertly crafted products.
“I am beyond proud to announce the launch of this latest collection, a collaboration between UNION LA and Canada Goose, in celebration of NBA All-Star 2023,” said UNION LA founder and designer, Chris Gibbs. “This collection truly reflects the very definition of UNION, the action or fact of joining or being joined together. By fusing the luxury performance and function Canada Goose is known for with the design and styling of UNION LA, we’ve created a limited-edition capsule collection with five distinct pieces, created with the West Coast lifestyle in mind.”
The Canada Goose & NBA Collection with UNION clearly reflects the trademark nods to both street style and classic Americana that UNION is known for. Paired with Canada Goose’s functional DNA, unmatched performance and heritage, this capsule collection embodies both brands’ shared belief in the representation of local community and culture from around the globe, through fashion. With five distinct unisex pieces designed to layer and mix and match, the Canada Goose & NBA Collection with UNION merges function with style to create a modern take on beloved classic silhouettes and nostalgic heritage patterns.
The Toussaint Coat is inspired by washed French military style uninsulated parkas and has a drawstring hood and an adjustable cord that cinches at the bottom hem for an adjustable fit. The Breda Liner jacket features distinct detailing with horizontal onion quilting. This style is transitional and can be buttoned into the Toussaint Coat for additional layering or can be worn on its own. The reversible Bullard Bomber was inspired by classic MA-1 jackets with a varsity twist. The style features a durable, technical satin on the body and traditional varsity style ribbing at the neck, waist and sleeve cuffs, as well as tonal Canada Goose disc and Union emblems. The Legion Vest, is crafted from legacy tartan plaid fleece and features an exaggerated overlapping pocket with a hidden snap and tonal branding, nodding towards both brands shared passion for craftsmanship infused with Union’s modern streetwear style and design. The Legion Vest is also available in Youth sizes for the first-ever children’s product in a Canada Goose collaboration. The collection is available in a mix of colours and heritage patterns, nodding to the West Coast with burnt oranges, blues and earth tones including Pearl, Midnight Navy, Seabreeze and California sunrise.
“As a brand, we strive to create products that surprise and excite our consumers, and allow us to reach new audiences,” said Woody Blackford, Chief Product Officer, Canada Goose. “For this collaboration, we worked closely with UNION founder and designer, Chris Gibbs, to capture the spirit of the West Coast[1]inspired Streetwear designs UNION LA is known for, together with the performance and functionality of Canada Goose, without compromise. The result is an Americana-inspired capsule collection with five versatile, functional and stylish pieces, perfect for living in the open no matter where you are.”
Canada Goose’s promise to inspire and enable all people to thrive in the outside world is an integral part of the DNA of the collection for NBA All-Star 2023 and in the third year of their Play in the Open campaign. Play in the Open is based on Canada Goose’s Live in the Open ethos – to express oneself freely and without judgement. This year’s campaign is directed by acclaimed creator/artist, stylist and budding director Beth Birkett-Gibbs. She is also the partner of UNION LA designer Chris Gibbs. Beth has been working and creating in the streetwear and fashion space for over 20 years and directing videos for the last 10 years. Similarly, to her partner Chris Gibbs, she is steadfastly focused on using art as a tool of communication, giving voice to those communities and cultures that help to inspire streetwear, whether on runways in Paris and Milan or in local staple streetwear brands across the globe.
For this campaign, Birkett-Gibbs leans into a Californian-inspired culture narrative, taking consumers on a quirky, off beat journey riddled with a cast of compelling characters. The protagonist, Philadelphia-based singer songwriter Tierra Whack, sets on a journey of discovery and self-expression in a fun dream-like storyline that finds her moving through various scenes and cultural moments that have inspired the collection and draw on the Play in the Open ethos. The campaign’s eclectic cast also includes a range of unique talent from across the globe including British poet Kai Isaiah Jamal, Canadian R&B duo Majid Jordan, and NBA All-Star Point Guard, Fred VanVleet. The campaign will launch globally timed to the collection launch on February 9th 2023.
The 2023 NBA All-Star Game will take place at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sunday February 19, 2023, bringing together the most talented and passionate players for a global celebration of the league.
Fusing sports, tech, fashion, art and culture, the third year of Canada Goose’s multi-year partnership with the NBA will see the collection at NBA Crossover, a three-day fan destination with customized experiences, retail offerings, NBA partner activations, player and talent appearances, memorabilia displays and more.
About Canada Goose
Founded in 1957 in a small warehouse in Toronto, Canada, Canada Goose is a lifestyle brand and a leading manufacturer of performance luxury apparel. Every collection is informed by the rugged demands of the Arctic, ensuring a legacy of functionality is embedded in every product from parkas and rainwear to apparel and accessories. Canada Goose is inspired by relentless innovation and uncompromised craftsmanship, recognized as a leader for its Made in Canada commitment. In 2020, Canada Goose announced HUMANATURE, its purpose platform that unites its sustainability and values-based initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to keep the planet cold and the people on it warm. Canada Goose also owns Baffin, a Canadian designer and manufacturer of outdoor and industrial footwear. Visit www.canadagoose.com.
About Chris Gibbs
At the helm of Union Los Angeles is Chris Gibbs, a longtime retail veteran who began his career in the fashion industry in 1996. He got his start at the landmark Union store in New York as sales associate, which lead to him becoming store manager, then buyer, then creative director, and now, owner.
About UNION LA
Union has always been globally recognized as being the best streetwear store and has maintained since its inception, a universal cult following and respect. Union was not only a key player in launching the whole “streetwear” phenomena, but has also been instrumental in introducing many a key brand that are now global standards.
About NBA All-Star 2023
NBA All-Star 2023 in Salt Lake City, hosted in conjunction with the Utah Jazz, will bring together the most talented and passionate players for a global celebration of the league. The NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Vivint Arena, home to the Utah Jazz. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 21st consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 38th year of NBA All-Star coverage. Vivint Arena will also host NBA Rising Stars on Friday, Feb. 17 and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 18.
