Kanuk

For heritage outdoor brands, changes in ownership often herald a dilution of mission and values; for Kanuk, this change has been marked by a methodical revitalization of core strengths. Manufacturing continues at the original factory, located in Montréal’s Plateau, and each piece still bears the signature embroidered snowy owl, symbolic of hardiness in the face of harsh climates. Philippe Dubuc, lead designer since 2015, has retained Kanuk’s proprietary synthetic down technology while embracing both tried-and-true Hutterite goose down, ethically sourced from the Canadian Prairies, and cutting-edge Thindown lining and Sorona outer shell fabric. Classic silhouettes, ranging from lightweight shoulder-season insulated jackets to seemingly impenetrable full-length quilted down coats, are alternatively offered in restrained matte taffetas or sleek technical satin finishes. Since its founding in 1970, Kanuk has endeavored to deliver reliably warm outerwear to a population subjected to objectively cold weather for the majority of the year. In the near term, it stands to project these decades of experience through the lens of new talent, directly into the eyes of a worldwide audience starved for heat.