VARSITY JACKET

In a bold collision of culture and craft, Ken Nwadiogbu partnered with GANT and Hypebeast to reimagine the iconic varsity jacket, transforming the symbol of American sportswear into a dynamic expression of identity, movement, and heritage. Debuted at 180 Corner in London on September 18, 2023, this limited-edition piece was part of GANT’s Blank Canvas initiative, inviting artists to push the boundaries of fashion through personal narrative and experimental technique.

For Nwadiogbu, the project became a canvas for memory and material innovation. Drawing from his Nigerian roots, he layered the jacket with spray-painted textures and thermochromic pigments, heat-sensitive paint that shifts color with touch and temperature. On warm days, the “G” glows yellow; in colder air, it cools to orange. These color changes respond to the environment, just as people do. They echo the shifting nature of migration belonging.

The jacket’s back is adorned with a constellation of dots, evoking the cosmos and interconnectedness. The sleeves, brushed with spray paint, speak of movement, memory, and home. “There is a relationship that all these colors have,” Nwadiogbu explains, “and it connects me to my home.”

More than fashion, GANT Jacket is an invitation to feel, to reflect, and to represent. The collaboration also aligned with GANT’s ethos to “Never Stop Learning,” with 100% of proceeds donated to charities selected by the participating artists.

Commissioned by GANT in collaboration with Hypebeast.
With thanks to all who supported, attended the launch, and wore the story.