Tanya Golesic: Deeply Personal Collection

For the first time, we interviewed Tanya Golesic five years ago when she became CEO of the Canadian fashion house Mackage. In the meantime, they have transitioned from outerwear to a luxury lifestyle brand and have continued their global expansion. 

This year, Mackage unveiled a special capsule collection inspired by the Croatian National Football Team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Designed for both men and women, the collection subtly incorporates Croatia's red, white, and blue colors through polo shirts, knitwear, technical outerwear, and bottoms, while the iconic checkerboard motif runs discreetly throughout the campaign.

Although born and raised in Canada, Tanya Golesic remains deeply connected to her Croatian heritage and proudly highlights it whenever she can. The idea that Luka Modrić, Joško Gvardiol, Andrej Kramarić, Josip Stanišić, and other Croatian national team players would wear Mackage off the field during the World Cup was hers.

‘As someone with Croatian heritage, this collection feels deeply personal. There's something powerful about how Croatia operates – a country small in size, but defined by an incredible level of focus, discipline, and technical excellence. It's a mindset we deeply relate to at Mackage. We've built our brand the same way, through precision, craft, and an unwavering commitment to doing things at the highest level,’ says Tanya Golesic.

WHAT WAS THE TRIGGER FOR THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN MACKAGE AND THE CROATIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM?
Our relationship with the Croatian Football Federation actually began in 2024 when Joško Gvardiol was featured in our Protect Your Craft series. From there, the connection developed very organically and ultimately led to Mackage becoming the team's official off-field outfitter in 2026. As someone with Croatian roots, I find this partnership particularly meaningful. It represents the coming together of personal heritage, shared values, and a mutual commitment to excellence.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME MACKAGE HAS CREATED A PAIR OF SNEAKERS NAMED AFTER LUKA MODRIĆ. WHAT WAS LUKA'S REACTION WHEN HE TRIED THE PROTOTYPE?
Luka embodies many of the qualities we admire most: humility, consistency, leadership, and excellence. Despite being one of the most accomplished players of his generation, he carries himself with remarkable subtlety and elegance. Those qualities inspired the design of the sneaker. We wanted to create something that reflected both Luka's character and Mackage's values: refined, understated, highly functional, and crafted with exceptional attention to detail. When he saw the prototype, he immediately connected with its simplicity and versatility.

WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE CAPSULE COLLECTION IN TERMS OF DESIGN AND FABRICS?
Our goal was to create a collection that delivers equal parts comfort, functionality, and luxury. Craftsmanship is central to every design decision, from the choice of materials to the versatility built into each piece. We incorporated thoughtful details such as removable bibs and hoods to ensure adaptability across different climates and occasions. We also wanted the collection to feel seasonless. Above all, it was important that the collection authentically reflected who we are as a brand and remained rooted in our core philosophy: Aesthetics That Protect.

YOU HAVE LED THE BRAND SINCE 2021, AND MACKAGE HAS CONTINUED ITS STRONG INTERNATIONAL GROWTH. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER ESSENTIAL FOR LONG-TERM COMMERCIAL SUCCESS?
For me, it starts with people. Building great teams and empowering talented individuals is fundamental to any company's success. The second element is product. Today's consumer is more informed, discerning, and demanding than ever before. They understand luxury, craftsmanship, and value. Our focus has always been on creating products that combine exceptional design with genuine functionality, and I believe that commitment resonates with our customers. Ultimately, sustainable growth comes from having the right people, a clear vision, and a product that consistently delivers on its promise.

CROATIA REMAINS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR IDENTITY. WHAT KEEPS BRINGING YOU BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR?
Croatia is my favourite country in the world, partly because of my family roots and connection to it, but also because of its stunning coastline, culture, gastronomy, and, above all, its people. My parents left Zagreb in the 1970s and built a new life in Canada, where my sister and I were born. Part of my family still lives in Croatia, and despite my international career, maintaining that connection has always been important to me. We continue to spend time in Croatia every year, and it remains the place where I feel most connected to my heritage.

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED YOURSELF AN IMMIGRANT IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES?
When people ask where I am from, I often say I am Croatian, born in Canada. I have spent much of my professional life in New York, which has become a second home, but my Croatian identity has always remained an important part of who I am. Growing up in an immigrant family shaped my perspective, my work ethic, and my ambition. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of hard work.

WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN DEVELOPING YOUR COMPETITIVE MENTALITY?
I always say that I was fortunate to be raised by my mother, who emigrated from Croatia and built a life from the ground up. She instilled in me a strong sense of discipline and determination, teaching me to set ambitious goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career.

PREVIOUSLY, YOU’VE HELD EXECUTIVE POSITIONS AT CANADA GOOSE, RALPH LAUREN, JONES NEW YORK, AND MARC JACOBS, WHILE  CAPRI HOLDINGS  APPOINTED YOU FOR FIVE YEARS AS THE PRESIDENT OF JIMMY CHOO FOR THE UNITED STATES. WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE LUXURY WORLD, AND WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE KEY POINT OF BRAND BUILDING?
One of the most important lessons I learned is never to work for a company that does not align with your own values. Authenticity matters. Building a successful brand starts with having a clear identity and a strong point of view. Consistency is equally important. Brands that stand the test of time know who they are and remain true to their DNA, regardless of trends or market pressures.

ANY VACATION PLANS SAILING IN CROATIA AFTER THE WORLD CUP IS OVER?
Always! Every summer is spent in Croatia; there's nothing better.