SPONSORED PROFILE: CARDINAL CANADA 1938 TAKES A MORE MODERN APPROACH FOR FALL
Montreal-based Cardinal Canada 1938 is being revamped for Fall 2022 with a focus on relaxed yet sophisticated outerwear that blends three aspects: heritage, luxury and modern.
The line, which is designed in Canada and manufactured in China, is a division of Cashmere Outfitters, led by owner Rocky Zhou. Cardinal Canada 1938 has a retail price range of $595-$1295 and is carried retailers including Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
The collection’s designer, Antoine Charlebois, who has been with the company since 2019 as the creator of its tailored womenswear brand Landscape and recently took on the Cardinal job on top, explains how things will be different for autumn. “That classic cashmere is what the collection has been known for for years but now we have just pushed it. I think a man’s wardrobe is constantly evolving and especially with the business attire being slightly more relaxed in some areas, those topcoats need to be warmer because sometimes you are wearing them with just a sweater or T-shirt and you don’t want to layer in so much under them.”
“So what have I been focusing on in some areas? How to make it more climate-controlled if you will. That’s the modernity about it. But the look is still very heritage and very classic.”
With the exception of two models, all the coats feature natural wool fabrics – usually blended with cashmere. “All the fabrics are very cozy and soft with almost a sweater touch,” explains the designer.
But there are modern textiles – and touches – too that include using Primaloft for padding or as a removable bib in a chic double-breasted model. In another topcoat – a beautiful boiled wool gray boucle one – the technical removable liner is held in place by magnets instead of zips. Likewise, a short bomber in a tiny, velvety wool and cashmere cord or a technical wool that is rain resistant has a surprise detail in the back – an iPad pouch that transforms the piece into a kind of wearable backpack. It’s a true melding of a classic item with the needs of today’s modern man.
Keeping with current menswear trends, Charlebois selected a Fall 2022 color palette that is mostly in natural tones. There are three main color stories/groupings: taupes and light grays, navy and camel in classic shapes, and Vicuna blacks.
Shapes too have been updated with boxier fits and slightly relaxed shoulders
The brand has also updated its label as part of the makeover and made it bigger and more luxurious-looking with gold lettering.
As Charlebois aptly puts it: “The core, the DNA, of Cardinal hasn’t changed. It’s just being pushed to adapt itself to new realities.”
You can view the new collection at the Dallas Men’s Show (Booth #12/1221) January 29-30, 2002; Chicago Collective (Booth #4023) February 6-8, 2002 and Charlotte/Southern Clothing Market (Suite #305) February 11-14, 2022. Or contact the head office:
Email: info@cardinalofcanada.com
Tel: 1-514-935-8088
