Ethan Hawke Talks Canada Goose, Activism, & Personal Style

Ethan Hawke is a man of mixed media. His career, on the cusp of its fourth decade, runs the creative gamut: novels, screenplays, television, feature films. Still, other disciplines are more elusive — Hawke is the first to say that fashion isn’t his forte. “As a young person, I had absolutely zero interest in fashion. No awareness of it, it didn’t make my radar — very ‘Generation X,'” he admits. Yet, when he appears in the new Canada Goose campaign, Hawke’s off-the-cuff sensibility makes style look like second nature.

Hawke, for his part, credits his newfound sartorial confidence to designer Haider Ackermann. Known for his luxe draping and tailoring, the Paris-based designer was recently named the first Creative Director of Canada Goose. “It’s clear that Haider puts so much thought into his work,” says Hawke. “I think that’s why so many people like using clothing to express themselves.”

Ethan Hawke for Canada Goose by Haider Ackermann, menswear interview

As Ackermann’s debut collection for Canada Goose, the campaign represents a turning point for the fashion label. After dipping its toes into streetwear — evidenced by a flurry of capsules and collaborations, including link-ups with Rok Hwang and October’s Very Own — the new Ackermann collection shows Canada Goose diving headfirst into high fashion.

Make no mistake, however: the audacious outerwear label isn’t selling out. When Ethan Hawke tells us about his role in the new Canada Goose campaign, ideas about creativity, climate, and human connection seem to arise with every question. Environmentalism seems to inspire the marque’s quality outerwear. As the actor puts it, “I think collectively, that’s the question on everyone’s mind: ‘What can we do to be more responsible adults and citizens, to leave the world as least as good as we found it?'”

With the second drop of Ackerman’s Canada Goose campaign underway, we caught up with Ethan Hawke on everything from activism to personal style.

Ethan Hawke Talks Canada Goose, Activism, & Personal Style

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Ethan Hawke Talks Canada Goose, Activism, & Personal Style

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Ethan Hawke Talks Canada Goose, Activism, & Personal Style

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With Haider Ackermann as creative director, this release marks the start of a new chapter for Canada Goose. Going into the project, what was your relationship with fashion like? Has it changed since getting involved with Canada Goose?

“As a young person, I had absolutely zero interest in fashion. No awareness of it, it didn’t make my radar — very “Generation X.” However, as the years pass (and my face slowly falls apart) I’ve become much more interested in dressing better. To paraphrase a Willie Nelson quote, “When I was young I used to like old guitars because they had character; now that I’m older I like to play new guitars because I have character.”

It has been very rewarding to watch the overwhelmingly positive reactions to this campaign and see how much people enjoy well-designed clothing. It’s clear that Haider puts so much thought into his work. I think that’s why so many people like using clothing to express themselves.”

“I think collectively, that’s the question on everyone’s mind: ‘What can we do to be more responsible adults and citizens, to leave the world as least as good as we found it?'”

Ethan Hawke

I read a quote from you about the collection: “Human creativity is nature manifest in us.” How does your creative process differ between projects; specifically, how did this experience with Canada Goose compare to your work as an actor and director?

This shoot is a much simpler ask of me — to align myself with very gifted designers, photographers, and other fashion artists who are already doing great work. I found the experience easy and pleasurable. I wish I could say the same of ALL of my acting and directing jobs.

Ethan Hawke for Canada Goose by Haider Ackermann, menswear interview

As an actor, you’ve used your platform to draw attention to environmental causes, whether it’s through films like First Reformed or supporting the Mi’kmaq in their call to end oil exploration on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. What inspires your environmental activism, and how does sustainability factor into your work with Canada Goose?

I’ve always been wary of using any celebrity I might have gained over a lifetime for advertising purposes. I think I’ve had a healthy suspicion of that. However, I was really impressed with the Canada Goose team, and both their desire to participate in environmental awareness and willingness to put their money where their mouth is. I think collectively, that’s the question on everyone’s mind: What can we do to be more responsible adults and citizens, to leave the world as least as good as we found it?

“Whenever you take the time to really look at the stars, walk through the forest, or watch birds fly over the ocean, you can get overwhelmed with a sense of our inner connectivity to something much larger than our petty concerns.”

Ethan Hawke

While working with Canada Goose, you donated to Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national representative organization for Inuit in Canada. How did you first connect with the organization?

A: It might sound funny but when I was 19 years old, I spent 6 months filming the movie WHITE FANG in the crook of Chilkat Valley in Haines, Alaska. There were a lot of Tlingit & other First Nations actors on the film and working with them helped expand my then relatively limited worldview. One of my costars, Pius Savage, took me under his wing introduced me to the native community. We listened to a lot of Hank Williams and did a lot of fishing. It was a great experience in my young life that profoundly affected me.

Many years later, I got a place in Nova Scotia that happened to be right next to a Mi’kmaq reservation and I’ve seen firsthand the great advocacy work they’ve been doing. When I was beginning my talks with Canada Goose, ITK seemed to be a nice overlap of both our interests and passions.

Canada Goose by Haider Ackermann

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Canada Goose by Haider Ackermann

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Canada Goose by Haider Ackermann

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Canada Goose by Haider Ackermann

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Ackermann said the collection was inspired by the connection between humans and nature. Where and when do you feel connected with nature? Are there any specific places or memories?

There’s just too many to mention. Whenever you take the time to really look at the stars, walk through the forest, or watch birds fly over the ocean, you can get overwhelmed with a sense of our inner connectivity to something much larger than our petty concerns… And that always feels good.

Fashion plays a big role in the film industry. How does your personal style compare to your on-set wardrobes?

It’s one of the great joys of acting, meeting these unbelievable costume designers and learning about the ways in which the clothes we wear define our character. Half my wardrobe might be lifted from film shoots.

Rider Parka Ethan Hawke interview for Canada Goose
Rider Parka.

What are your favourite garments from the collection?

A: Sidenote, it was probably the best Christmas I’ve ever had as a father/present giver because I got everyone in the family selections from this campaign. I have never been loved so much on December 26th. But, speaking for myself, the white Rider Parka is my favourite.