Vancouver Fashion Veteran Raif Adelberg Appointed Design Director at Moose Knuckles
In a significant career move that strengthens the connection between West Coast design talent and Canadian fashion heritage, Raif Adelberg has been named the new design director at Moose Knuckles. The Montreal-headquartered luxury outerwear brand, founded in 2009, has tapped the Vancouver-based designer to lead its creative direction following his decades of influence in Canadian fashion.
A Canadian Fashion Highlight Reel
Adelberg's appointment represents a natural progression in a career that reads like a Canadian fashion highlight reel. As the founder and designer of the former menswear brand wings+horns, Adelberg has served as a tastemaker within Vancouver's fashion scene for more than thirty years. His extensive portfolio includes collaborations with concept shops, brands, and international labels such as Stüssy, Buscemi, and Herschel Supply Co.
"Fashion has always been part of my DNA," Adelberg explained when discussing his career origins. "My great-grandparents and grandparents were tailors, and my father was a pattern maker who opened his own showroom in the 1970s. By the time I was eleven, I was already writing orders for him, so the industry felt natural to me."
Adelberg began designing in 1986 and opened his first retail store in 1988, developing an early respect for craftsmanship and the discipline behind great design through his family's influence.
Design Philosophy Rooted in Authenticity
When describing his design approach, Adelberg draws from familiar cultural worlds while avoiding literal interpretations. "My design approach comes from familiar worlds—surf, skate, punk, and rock—but I never apply them literally," he shared. "Surf is the fluidity of a collection, skate shows up in the styling, punk is the attitude, and rock is the presence. For me, it's always about creating clothes that feel authentic and lived-in, not over-designed."
This philosophy aligns with his belief that "fashion is just another accessory for someone who has great style," emphasizing substance over superficial trends.
A Perfect Brand Alignment
Adelberg sees Moose Knuckles as an ideal match for his design sensibilities. "Moose Knuckles feels like a perfect balance of sophistication with a bit of edge," he noted. "It's refined but never too polished, which mirrors how I naturally approach design. There's a strong point of view here that still leaves room to push boundaries. That tension between luxury and attitude is where I think the most interesting work happens."
He describes the brand as "a luxury outerwear brand with an unmistakable attitude—bold, irreverent, and confident, designed for people who want performance without sacrificing personality or style." According to Adelberg, Moose Knuckles doesn't try to blend in but rather caters to individuals who want to stand out, even in extreme conditions.
Vision for Evolution
In his new role as design director, Adelberg plans to build upon the brand's existing strengths while introducing fresh perspectives. "I want to bring my sharp eye to detail, materials, and fabric innovation to create a contemporary, modern expression of the brand," he explained. "The goal is to elevate the already iconic silhouettes while refining the overall aesthetic. It's about progression, not reinvention."
Adelberg sees his position as an opportunity to build on what's working and push Moose Knuckles into a more global, fashion-forward space, leveraging his three decades of experience to enhance the brand's international appeal while maintaining its distinctive Canadian identity.
