ROOTS TAPS MR. SATURDAY’S JOEY GOLLISH AS NEW CREATIVE DIRECTOR IN RESIDENCE
Global apparel lifestyle brand, Roots Corporation (“Roots”), has appointed Joey Gollish as its Creative Director in Residence, effective today, and for a period expected to extend through 2025. This appointment represents the first time in Roots’ almost 50-year history that it has welcomed an outside creative to the brand. During his tenure, Gollish will work with Karuna Scheinfeld, Chief Product Officer, who leads the creative and design teams. Gollish, the Founder and Creative Director of the acclaimed fashion label Mr. Saturday, will continue to helm its design and creative direction during this period.
“As we embark on our 50th year, we understand the importance of staying innovative and forward-looking in today’s ever-changing market. Through our collaboration with Mr. Saturday in December 2022, we found that Joey had a deep love for the Roots brand and a unique perspective that will support our long-term objective of increasing the brand’s global appeal,” commented Meghan Roach, President & CEO. “We look forward to the exciting opportunities this additional creative influence will bring to Roots.
This announcement marks an exciting new chapter for Mr. Saturday and Roots, who have worked closely together on a range of collaborations over the past two years, including the best-selling capsule collection “Roots Saturday Airlines,” released at the end of last year. Gollish has also worked in collaboration with Roots on leather outerwear, travel bags, and accessories for Mr. Saturday’s Fall/Winter 2023 runway show in Paris and will once again integrate Roots into Mr. Saturday’s Spring/Summer 2024 for Paris Fashion Week. The creative synergies Roots and Mr. Saturday experienced working on these projects led to the vision for this unique partnership.
With shared values for outstanding craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the pursuit of exploration and history, this appointment is a meaningful progression for the rising Canadian design talent with a leading Canadian legacy brand. Gollish has a distinct vision and specialty in storytelling around historical events that will bring a fresh perspective to Roots, while also honoring its storied past – a history that spans half a century as the brand celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Roots has recently renewed its collection to include sustainable content in the majority of its products while expanding its gender-free and extending sizing assortment. Working with Gollish represents another step in the Roots evolution, building on a tradition to create new and compelling work. Roots will also take a minority investment in Mr. Saturday as part of the arrangement.
At just 29 years old, Joey Gollish is one of the most celebrated and exciting designers coming out of Canada right now. Recently named Canada’s 2022 Menswear Designer of The Year by Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards, Gollish was also featured as one of the “New Names to Know” by Vogue and “1 of 20 Canadians Shaping the Next 20 Years of Culture” by Complex. He is also the winner of 4 Cannes Lions awards and a member of the inaugural cohort of HXOUSE – Toronto’s next generation creative incubator and accelerator founded by the Weeknd, La Mar Taylor, and Ahmed Ismael.
Through Mr. Saturday, the brand he founded in 2019, Gollish explores historical narratives, subcultures, movements and defining moments in culture through his design, products, creative visuals, and immersive experiences. Mr. Saturday has presented collections on the official American Collections Calendar at New York Fashion Week and on the official Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode’s calendar at Paris Fashion Week.
“Taking on the Creative Director residency for a company deeply rooted in my heritage is a true honour. As Roots celebrates its 50th anniversary, I am excited to reflect on its past and help shape its future. From David Bowie to my parents, Roots has been worn by some of my biggest inspirations. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the brand’s next chapter as we continue to prioritize authenticity, craftsmanship, community, luxury, and storytelling; characteristics also shared by Mr. Saturday. I am grateful for the support of the founders and executive team, who share a vision for advancing the brand while respecting its legacy. I look forward to joining this talented team and embracing this new challenge in my career,” added Joey Gollish, Founder and Creative Director of Mr. Saturday.