New Era is taking its iconic 9FORTY to Guadeloupe for a special collaboration with designer and creative director Selecta Bisso, creating a limited-edition cap that puts Guadeloupean culture, identity and Gwoka at the centre of the design.
Dubbed ‘Toumblak,’ the collaboration is limited to just 200 pieces worldwide, but there’s a catch. The cap will be available exclusively in Guadeloupe, making the island the only place in the world where you can officially pick one up.
For Bisso, that exclusivity is intentional. Rather than immediately sending the collaboration around the globe, the project gives people outside Guadeloupe a reason to connect with family and friends on the island to secure a piece.
At the heart of the design is Gwoka, one of Guadeloupe’s most important forms of cultural expression. Built around Ka drums, Gwoka brings together music, singing, dance and collective expression, carrying generations of history and community.
The Toumblak rhythm is known for its warm, vibrant and dance-driven energy and that spirit becomes the foundation for the 9FORTY.
The cap itself starts with an understated black base, allowing the embroidered details to take centre stage. Deep blue references Karukéra, meaning “the island of beautiful waters,” while the Guadeloupean flag reinforces the connection to the territory.
A custom collaboration patch brings together a Ka drum and hibiscus flowers, creating a visual link between music, nature and Caribbean culture.
One of the most meaningful details is hidden underneath the visor. Embroidered in orange is the phrase:
“Kilti an nou sé fòs an nou” – “Our culture is our strength.”
The orange represents the warmth, energy and strength of Toumblak, while the hidden placement turns the message into something personal for the wearer, a reminder that cultural heritage can continue to evolve through contemporary design.
For New Era, the collaboration also represents another step beyond its sporting roots. Founded in Buffalo, New York, in 1920, the brand has spent more than a century evolving from a baseball headwear company into a global symbol across hip-hop, streetwear and fashion.
Bisso sees the collaboration as a particularly meaningful moment, referencing New Era’s history of working with influential cultural figures such as Spike Lee, who helped push the brand into new cultural territory during the 1990s.
With ‘Toumblak,’ New Era and Selecta Bisso aren’t simply putting Guadeloupean graphics onto a cap. They’re using one of streetwear’s most recognisable silhouettes as a platform to tell a story about identity, heritage and the strength of culture.
And with only 200 pieces being made worldwide, this is one New Era 9FORTY that will be staying very close to home.
Release Details
Collaboration: New Era 9FORTY x Bisso
Name: ‘Toumblak’
Designer: Selecta Bisso
Inspiration: Guadeloupe / Gwoka / Toumblak rhythm
Edition: 200 pieces worldwide
Release Date: September 9, 2026
Retailer: City Sport Guadeloupe
Price: €34.99
Message: “Kilti an nou sé fòs an nou” — “Our culture is our strength”
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