A Montreal streetwear brand, Kuwalla Tee, is receiving recognition for supplying the original white fleece jacket that was customized to make a popular garment seen in the TV series “Heated Rivalry.” CEO Yaniv Abecassis discussed how their jacket gained attention across Canada following its appearance in the show’s second episode. Despite this, Kuwalla Tee did not receive acknowledgment for their contribution. The modifications to the jacket included the addition of “Canada” in red lettering on the back, red accents on the collar and zipper pulls, and maple leaves on the arms. Costume designer Hanna Puley aimed to create a “wearable, cozy” and “simple” design.
The character Shane Hollander, portrayed by Hudson Williams, wore the jacket during scenes set at the Sochi Olympics. Although the jacket is not official Team Canada merchandise, fans expressed interest in purchasing it after its television debut. Williams even presented a fleece from the show to Prime Minister Mark Carney at an event in Ottawa. To meet the demand for the fleece, the show’s creators partnered with the Canadian clothing company Province of Canada.
Kuwalla Tee raised concerns about their fleece being used to promote the new product without receiving credit. Abecassis stated that while they appreciated the enhancements made to the jacket for the show, their issue arose when the garment was commercialized without acknowledgment. Following discussions with CBC News, Kuwalla Tee pushed for proper recognition from the show’s producers and the Province of Canada.
Regarding the legal aspects, McGill University professor Richard Gold explained that Kuwalla Tee had limited grounds for legal action due to the generic nature of the fleece design. He emphasized that the jacket’s value stemmed from its association with “Heated Rivalry” rather than Kuwalla Tee. Ultimately, an agreement was reached, with Kuwalla Tee now being credited on social media posts related to the cream fleece jacket.