JACKET FOR A CAUSE: She’s an acclaimed fashion designer. He’s the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. But thanks to a shared passion for philanthropy, Sentaler founder and creative director Bojana Sentaler and pro hockey star John Tavares found common ground to create a varsity jacket to benefit kids.
“We first connected because of my wife Aryne, who is a big fan of Sentaler and the clothing company they are,” said Tavares, who in 2020 launched the John Tavares Foundation to inspire the next generation to build a better world for themselves and generations that follow.
The charity also helps kids understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and provides the needed tools to awaken their passions by participating in community events.
Only 91 Sentaler x John Tavares varsity jackets have been created. That final look will debut on Thursday — along with the runway presentation of the new Sentaler men’s fall 2023 collection — at Toronto’s Ultra Supper Club. The invite-only launch of the Sentaler x John Tavares varsity jacket is being presented by EY Canada, which shines a spotlight on Canadian entrepreneurs.
Priced at for 2,250 Canadian dollars, or $1,850, each jacket is made in Peruvian baby alpaca fabric and has a quilted padded filling for added warmth.
Also, every luxuriously detailed keepsake is finished with the official Sentaler x JTF logo and its 1/91, 2/91 and so on classification embroidered on its interior lining.
Yet merging the athleisure aesthetic of today’s sports world with the elegant functionality that Sentaler is known for internationally was a challenge.
“I’d never done a varsity jacket before. Frankly, it is more challenging to make something simple yet memorable,” said Sentaler, who launched her brand in Toronto in 2009. Since then it has become recognized for its signature ribbed sleeve details and hooded wrap coats — many of which have been worn by celebrities like Meghan Markle, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid, Emily Blunt and others.
She took inspiration from Tavares’ own lifestyle and came up with a blue-hued jacket that features a collar with a non-traditional cut, and diagonal ribbing on the pockets.
Sentaler is also allowing shoppers to customize this jacket, which is another first for the brand. Consumers can put their own letter on the jacket front, as well as a one- or two-digit number on the back for more personalization.
The preorder jackets will be made to order and delivered to consumers across Canada and the U.S. in December.
The jacket also is being sold on the brand’s website or in-store at its relaunched flagship store in Toronto.
Proceeds from the sale of the jackets will be donated to the John Tavares Foundation.
As Tavares said, “It’s a piece I’m really excited about, as well as the opportunity to spread the word about the work we’re trying to do and the difference we are trying to make in peoples’ lives.”
“We’ll be talking about future collaborations,” Sentaler added.
