\n\tMackage is taking its next step toward becoming a full-fledged lifestyle brand.<\/p>\n
\n\tMore than two years ago, New York-based designer Ludwig Heissmeyer became the senior vice president of design and product development at the luxury outerwear brand. Since taking the reins, Heissmeyer has accelerated the brand\u2019s evolution by introducing year-round essentials like hoodies, sweats, accessories and outerwear pieces designed for any season.<\/p>\n
\n\tTaking its lifestyle positioning one step further, the Montreal-founded brand is now venturing into denim for the first time, thanks to Heissmeyer and his team.<\/p>\n
\n\tLaunched this month, the 35-piece collection features a range of denim outerwear for men and women \u2014 including bomber jackets, trenchcoats and hats \u2014 priced between $350 and $1,690.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cI\u2019m [excited] to introduce our new denim collection,\u201d Heissmeyer told SJ Denim. \u201cDenim-related products will not only round out our assortment, but our pieces are so unique that they really [help us] stand out in the market.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tIn this Q&A, WWD\u2019s sister publication SJ Denim chats with Heissmeyer about the inspiration behind Mackage\u2019s first denim collection, the challenges of branching into a new category and how the brand plans to continue evolving as a lifestyle label.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Ludwig-Heissmeyer.jpg?w=261\")
\n\tSJ Denim: Starting from the top, what inspired you to create Mackage\u2019s first denim collection?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tLudwig Heissmeyer:<\/strong> For me, creating a denim collection was a natural progression because it is functional and durable. It also has a lot of the characteristics that really align with the ethos of Mackage which is aesthetic that protects.<\/p>\n \n\tWhat\u2019s so interesting to me about denim is how easily you can layer it into your existing wardrobe whether you want to dress it up or down. However, the way we designed the pieces for the July capsule \u2014 with details like gold hardware and contrast topstitching \u2014 will hopefully make [our customers] stand out a bit from what\u2019s already out there, giving them more of a fashion-forward feel.<\/p>\n \n\tOverall, I\u2019m really excited because, as we continue to grow into a lifestyle brand and deliver products year-round, denim was the perfect launch for summer. It\u2019s unlined, super versatile \u2014and yes, we have a few hybrid styles for when it gets a little chilly \u2014 but overall, nothing\u2019s meant to be a heavy or warm garment.<\/p>\n \n\tSJ Denim:<\/strong> Was this your first time working with denim?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tL.H.:<\/strong> I\u2019ve worked with denim a little bit before, but it was more aesthetic-driven than functional since it didn\u2019t need to have all the typical characteristics of traditional denim. We didn\u2019t care as much about the wash or the technical details.<\/p>\n \n\tSJ Denim: Since Mackage is so specialized in wool products, did you face any challenges in developing a denim collection?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tL.H.: <\/strong>Once my team and I are committed to an idea, we\u2019re all in no matter what.<\/p>\n \n\tThat said, there were some challenges. We had to find the perfect vendor to create a product like this because, as a brand, we\u2019re so highly specialized in wool and down products.<\/p>\n \n\tWorking with denim \u2014 washing it, adding rivets or even just doing the double topstitching \u2014 is a completely different approach to garment construction compared to what the team and I were used to. So, it was definitely a challenge, but I think we executed it nicely.<\/p>\n \n\tSJ Denim: You mentioned that once you had the idea, it took some time to find the right vendor. How did you go about finding the perfect one?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tL.H.: <\/strong>Yes, it took a while to get the right quality. Since we were new to this, we wanted to find a vendor who could also supply the raw material and help us understand how to work with it properly.<\/p>\n \n\tFrom there, we started experimenting with different washes. But because we had a vendor who already knew the material well and could really guide us through the process, it made a huge difference, which I think is so important. You want to build a partnership, especially when you\u2019re stepping into something new. We were lucky to find someone who was patient and willing to work with a brand that was trying to establish its first denim collection.<\/p>\n \n\tSJ Denim:<\/strong> How were you able to maintain Mackage<\/strong>\u2019s sustainable ethos while creating the new collection?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tL.H.: <\/strong>I do know that denim traditionally requires a lot of water and involves heavy washing, but I think practices are getting better and better as we speak.<\/p>\n \n\tFor us, it was important to at least start with a strong foundation by using 100 percent organic cotton as the base. And because this is a small product launch for us \u2014 really just an introduction \u2014 we wanted to make sure we were being mindful. Of course, we always want to keep things as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible.<\/p>\n \n\tSJ Denim:<\/strong> Do you think this is something the brand will continue to incorporate going forward?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tL.H.:<\/strong> I hope so. I\u2019d like to learn more about it.<\/p>\n \n\tAs a lifestyle brand, I believe we should offer denim or denim-related products to round out our assortment.<\/p>\n \n\tSJ Denim: What are you most excited about for Mackage \u2014 and for yourself \u2014 over the next five years?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tL.H.: <\/strong>I\u2019m really excited about what else we can do with the brand. In the two-and-a-half years I\u2019ve been here, we\u2019ve built on an amazing foundation. There\u2019s a huge legacy that I\u2019m benefiting from, right? It\u2019s an established brand with beautiful products. I\u2019ve already been able to take it in a different direction, and I\u2019m excited to see what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n \n\tIs it footwear? Maybe expanding into new categories? Taking skiwear to a whole new level? There are so many ways to look at the brand and grow it. We\u2019re also getting to a point where we can start exploring celebrity dressing. Now that we have pieces that go beyond just down, that\u2019s something I\u2019m really excited about. I\u2019m open to whatever this journey brings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mackage is taking its next step toward becoming a full-fledged lifestyle brand. More than two years ago, New York-based designer Ludwig Heissmeyer became the senior vice president of design and product development at the luxury outerwear brand. Since taking the reins, Heissmeyer has accelerated the brand\u2019s evolution by introducing year-round essentials like hoodies, sweats, accessories and outerwear pieces designed for any season. Taking its lifestyle positioning one step further, the Montreal-founded brand is now venturing into denim for the first time, thanks to Heissmeyer and his team. Launched this month, the 35-piece collection features a range of denim outerwear for men and women \u2014 including bomber jackets, trenchcoats and hats \u2014 priced between $350 and $1,690. \u201cI\u2019m [excited] to introduce our new denim collection,\u201d Heissmeyer told SJ Denim. \u201cDenim-related products will not only round out our assortment, but our pieces are so unique that they really [help us] stand out in the market.\u201d In this Q&A, WWD\u2019s sister publication SJ Denim chats with Heissmeyer about the inspiration behind Mackage\u2019s first denim collection, the challenges of branching into a new category and how the brand plans to continue evolving as a lifestyle label. Ludwig Heissmeyer SJ Denim: Starting from the top, what inspired you to create Mackage\u2019s first denim collection? Ludwig Heissmeyer: For me, creating a denim collection was a natural progression because it is functional and durable. It also has a lot of the characteristics that really align with the ethos of Mackage which is aesthetic that protects. What\u2019s so interesting to me about denim is how easily you can layer it into your existing wardrobe whether you want to dress it up or down. However, the way we designed the pieces for the July capsule \u2014 with details like gold hardware and contrast topstitching \u2014 will hopefully make [our customers] stand out a bit from what\u2019s already out there, giving them more of a fashion-forward feel. Ove…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4124,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4123"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4123\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/mackage1.jpg?w=682\")
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