COLLABORATION

NORTH BY GUCCI AND THE NORTH FACE

DECEMBER 22, 2020

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WORDS

by KRISTOPHER FRASER

PHOTOS

COURTESY of GUCCI

Onward and northward. Gucci has officially revealed its long-anticipated collaboration with The North Face that celebrates the spirit of exploration. The collaboration combines Gucci’s colorful, maximalist aesthetic with The North Face’s outdoor, adventurous aesthetic. 

To promote this new partnership, Alessandro Michele has conceived a campaign shot by Daniel Shea, set in the Alps. In stills and video, as well as through content created for TikTok, viewers are led through a trip to the great outdoors with a group of Gucci-clad hikers who camp by the lakes. The forests and peaks of the region from a vast and breath-taking scenic backdrop to the imagery, which in capturing colorful candid moments of group activity are reminiscent of holiday snaps, effortlessly showcasing the distinctive products. The campaign’s atmosphere evokes the aesthetic of the ‘70s, when The North Face was a thriving outdoor retailer based in Berkeley, California and shared a factory and storefront adjacent to Credence Clearwater Revival’s practice studio, whose iconic song Bad Moon Rising is featured throughout the video campaign. 

This unisex multi-category collection includes ready-to-wear, accessories, luggage and shoes, as well as some more unexpected pieces linked to the outdoor world of The North Face, such as tents and sleeping bags. With both brands being committed to sustainability, the collection is line with their eco-sustainable activities. Luggage contains Econyl, a nylon fabric sourced from regenerated materials that can be recycled and created aiding in decreasing its ecological footprint. The color palette was inspired by the ‘70s and curated from the North Face materials library. Archival fabrics have been partially incorporated into the collection to give them a new life.

The North Face x Gucci Campaign

The ready-to-wear collection features not only goose-feather down padded coats, bomber, and vest but also shirts, skirts and jumpsuits. The outerwear silhouettes and equipment are based on original designs from The North Face in the 70’s. Also included in the offer there are quilted jacket, nylon shirts, skirts, windbreakers, refined silk-twill bowling sets, chemise dresses, T-shirts, sweatshirts and a fleece jacket. Some pieces come in bright colors and feature several floral prints created in partnership with The North Face especially for the collaboration, some of which have a new The North Face x Gucci logo incorporated into their designs. This combined logo, that features The North Face three curved lines and the famous green-red-green Gucci Web stripe, is also featured on a dedicated label. 

For luggage, there are eight new graphic patterns,. All feature bright colors and a variety of either Gucci House motifs or different versions of the new The North Face logo x Gucci print. Two new backpacks and two new belt bags are dressed up in these exclusive prints. A dome-shaped medium backpack (available in five different prints) has contrast leather patches, rope zip pullers and web straps, while a larger size (available in six different prints) recalls hiking backpacks with its multiple pockets and top flap with snaps, and also features the same detailing as its smaller cousin. A small belt bag comes in seven different prints, and a maxi size one with three front flap pockets is offered in two different prints. 

The shoe is a gender-neutral hiking boot with a chunky and sturdy Goodyear-welted sole. The boot comes in three colors of leather (brown, black and cream), features eyelets and rope like striped laces, as well as The North Face x Gucci logo prominently displayed on the side. 

The North Face x Gucci

The North Face x Gucci