On Feb. 11, Canada Goose will launch a limited-edition collaboration with U.S. designer Salehe Bembury, as part of a multi-year partnership with the NBA and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Basketball Association.

The unisex collection Canada Goose & NBA with Salehe Bembury consists of four items and plays with contrasting patterns and materials that blend with Canada Goose’s DNA, embodying the NBA style of the 90s that was based on freedom, boldness and functionality. This collaboration mixes and matches the brand’s iconic aesthetic in an innovative way.

Salehe Bembury is the architect behind some of the most relevant sneaker designs of the last decade. Founded on curiosity, his brand embraces a no-holds-barred design philosophy through the use of distinct colors, materials and silhouettes.
“The NBA significantly influenced my interest in design, growing up watching games with my dad, and loving everything about 90’s basketball culture, from the ’94 Knicks to Space Jam and The Fresh Prince”, ha Bembury said.

“Salehe Bembury is one of the world’s most innovative designers of today and we are excited to work with him as this year’s design partner for the NBA All-Star 2022”, stated Woody Blackford, Executive Vice President of Product, Canada Goose. “Our NBA partnership has opened the door to bold new interpretations of the Canada Goose brand. This capsule combines the quality and function that Canada Goose is renowned for with the cultural richness of the NBA and Salehe’s boundless design approach”.

The 4 items that make up the collection are:
The Expedition Parka was developed for scientists working in extreme weather conditions and has been reimagined with an oversized chenille hood and removable vest.
The Concord Fleece features an all-over design of Bembury’s thumbprint.
The Signal Vest, a transitional garment with an oversized front hem for added coverage and protection.
The Tundra Bib is a Canada Goose classic. It is made to protect the lower body from extreme conditions, featuring adjustable elastic suspenders and internal drawcord to best fit the body from a fit perspective.

The capsule collection is launched of the Play in the Open campaign. This year’s campaign – which stems from Canada Goose’s Live in the Open ethos – is directed by American stop-motion filmmaker Foster Huntington, and focuses on an outdoor narrative that is based on the nullification of rules thanks to a figure like Salehe Bembury, who is free to “play” in any outdoor context. The three stop-motion animations take place in three distinct environments: on a ridge in the Canadian Rockies, a dedicated fishing cabin on a frozen alpine lake, and a basketball court on a remote hillside. Bembury is depicted juggling, fishing and playing basketball, showcasing the versatility and power of this capsule collection.
The campaign will launch globally in conjunction with the launch of the collection.

The Canada Goose & NBA collection with Salehe Bembury will be available starting February 11 in Canada Goose stores in London and Paris, and online at canadagoose.com.

We at Collater.al had the chance to ask Salehe Bembury a few questions about this new collaboration. Here’s what he told us.

What has influenced you from basketball culture specifically that we can see in this collection?

I was influenced by 90’s NBA fashion, which embodies bold and occasionally contrasting juxtapositions of pattern, silhouette, material, and function. The 90’s were a time of fashion exploration, and it’s this ethos that I’m exploring within the Canada Goose & NBA Collection with Salehe Bembury.  

Why did you want to work with Canada Goose?

I was born and raised in New York and growing up there were always basic brands for certain items. Some of these brands represented both value and prestige. Canada Goose has always been a core brand that communicates quality and prioritizes functionality. Coming from an Industrial Design background and spending a lot of my time outdoors, it is important that what I use and/or design functions at the highest level. Canada Goose and I agree on these principles.

Where do you see the intersection between all 3 brands (Salehe x CG x NBA)?

All three brands intersect by utilizing “craft” to solve problems. I utilize my design ability to educate, give back, and most consistently create products that bring people joy. Canada Goose uses its renowned heritage of quality and function to protect from the elements no matter the environment. The NBA uses the abilities of its athletes to give back and enrich communities worldwide. None of these initiatives would be possible without the foundation of each entity’s “craft”. 

How would you describe the Salehe Bembury brand?

The Salehe Bembury brand is a combination of my time spent at Cole Haan, Yeezy, Versace, and even Payless. It is versatile and still evolving and takes inspiration from growing up in Downtown New York City. 

Are there any Canada Goose styles that you were excited to work on?  

The Expedition Parka was an exciting piece because it is a Canada Goose icon, which I am extremely humbled to be able to put my name on.

Knowing your studio is based in LA, what did you take from LA’s culture to this collection?

Living in Los Angeles, the weather shifts so much from one location or from one moment in the day to another. You can rarely go out with only one item of clothing for a full day, and can wear anything from a shirt, hoody, or a heavy jacket. The removable vest on the Expedition Parka and cinchable legs of the Tundra Bib speak to the need for adaptability no matter the weather.

Can you talk about the process of creating this universe where you brought Play in the Open to life – with an animated, crafted world campaign?

When designing, I always look to also create an experience, and “Play in the Open” is a conversation of discovery through experience. When we became less mobile due to the pandemic, the outdoors became a place of solace. When a product can also motivate one to do, go, or play, that product has an exponential value and as such, the intention of this collaboration is truly rooted in the word “play”.

Can you tell us about the collaborative process with Foster Huntington? 

This is the first time that someone else has played such a large role in executing a campaign with me. Meeting someone who is as passionate about their passion as much as you are, is rare, but it only took a few minutes for me to be inspired by Foster. His contribution to this project was necessary for it to reach totality.

What rules were you excited to change or break for this campaign?

The Play in the Open campaign opened the door to introduce a layer of fantasy which was not available with previous campaigns. From looking at my outdoor interests to including more emotion into the presentation, we engaged Foster’s vivid imagination and added magical elements to bring the campaign to life. Foster is a disrupter, which fit perfectly. The result: a campaign that displays what happens when a group of inspired creatives get in a room and discuss how to story tell for “all”.

What was your favourite moment from working on this collaboration with Canada Goose and the NBA? 

In the end, knowing that all of the conversations, ideas, and challenges that we overcame with Canada Goose, NBA and Foster were transformed into tangible product and content is the most rewarding feeling.