EXCLUSIVE: Mackage Moves From the Slopes to the Streets With New Collection
Mackage is ditching its outerwear-only reputation with its latest collection, all while keeping sustainability in the spotlight.
Dubbed “The Elements,” the luxury outerwear brand’s first collection of 2025 aims to reposition Mackage as a lifestyle brand — rather than just an outerwear label — by revolutionizing how traditional pieces are worn throughout the year.
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“We really want to transition into a lifestyle brand,” said Ludwig Heissmeyer, head of design and product development at Mackage. “With global warming and sustainability in mind as well as the broader conversation about climate change, this collection addresses that. While Mackage isn’t aiming for a 12-month delivery turnaround just yet, a nine-month cycle is on the table. That’s the intention behind this product and why it’s called ‘The Elements.’ It’s designed to protect you from all the elements while also serving as a multi-seasonal staple in your closet.”
“Earth,” the first drop of Mackage’s collection, is set to launch this month, featuring a rich palette of earthy tones like brown, green and gray. This delivery also boasts the collection’s heaviest pieces, with a range of leather and wool coats and jackets, all packed with premium down fill for maximum warmth, Heissmeyer, who’s been with Mackage for three seasons, noted.
Moving into February, Mackage will unveil the second drop of the collection, titled “Water” and “Air.” This release features the brand’s innovative Three Hour Membrane fabric, which is designed to be “almost waterproof,” offering both state-of-the art protection and style.
“No fabric is ever 100 percent waterproof; you’d really have to stand in the pouring rain to test that,” Heissmeyer said. “But with our three-layer membrane fabric, we protect the outer layer, and on the inside, all seams are sealed. So if water does come in, it won’t seep through the seams. We also use water-repellent, seam-sealed zippers, which further protect against water.”
The “Water” drop will also feature a range of T-shirts and pants in hues of blue and black, further solidifying Mackage’s shift into the lifestyle category.
The final delivery in the collection, titled “Fire,” focuses on wind and rain protection and will drop in April. Like “Water,” this drop features Mackage’s Three Hour Membrane fabric to defend against the elements, just in warmer tones like red and pink. It also includes a selection of convertible raincoats, allowing wearers to detach hoods or pack the coats into a portable size.
Expanding its reach into lifestyle even further, Mackage is also debuting a range of kids’ offerings in its spring collection. While designed for protection from the elements, these pieces also feature playful patches and designs to capture a fun, “kid-friendly” vibe.
“Our tag line is ‘aesthetic that protects,’ which is truly reflected in every garment we design,” said Heissmeyer. “I bring my fashion sensibility, sense of color and personal spin to the table, while embracing the team’s deep technical knowledge — which I’m still learning about. The combination of their expertise in functionality and my creative input has been a great balance, so I’m excited that we were able to work together and bring my third collection, ‘The Elements,’ to life.”
In line with its commitment to sustainable design, every piece in “The Elements” collection is made with the Earth in mind, Heissmeyer said. In fact, all garments are crafted using either 100 percent recycled materials or other forms of sustainable yarns and fibers, as verified by the international Global Recycled Standard that ensures strict environmental and social requirements are met.
Additionally, all the leather used in the collection comes from tanneries that have been granted a Gold Medal rating — the highest possible — from The Leather Working Group. This certification guarantees sustainable and responsible practices, including best practices in traceability, energy consumption, water usage, air quality, emission control and worker safety.
“I have a very young team; they don’t even consider new fabrics if they’re not sustainable,” said Heissmeyer. “There’s a lot that goes into the entire process. While it’s challenging for the industry, Mackage is committed to a more sustainable future, so we will always design sustainably.”
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