When camp meets camping
After teasing us back in September with a tantalising glimpse of the partnership, Gucci and The North Face have today unveiled their new collaboration with a collection that celebrates the spirit of exploration, adventure, and self-discovery through travel. Hiking has never looked so good.
An ode to the great outdoors, the collection comprises ready-to-wear pieces for men and women including goose-feather down padded coats, windbreakers, cosy fleeces, jumpsuits, and refined silk-twill bowling sets (what else would you wear on a hike?), as well as accessories, shoes, and equipment like tents and sleeping bags.
Drawing on Alessandro Michele’s well-documented love of the 1970s, the outerwear in the collection is based on The North Face's original designs from the decade and features bright colours and several floral prints created especially for the collaboration.
The 70s theme extends to the campaign shot by Daniel Shea. Set in the Alps, it follows a group of hikers as they explore the picturesque mountains and rivers, camping, kayaking, and having a jolly good time soundtracked by Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising”. Fun fact: in the 70s, when The North Face was an outdoor retailer based in Berkeley, California it shared a factory and storefront adjacent to the band’s practice studio.
This collaboration is the first time that Michele has partnered with another brand since joining Gucci in 2015. The North Face, meanwhile, has been racking up the fashion credentials in the last few years with previous collabs with Supreme, Junya Watanabe, and, most recently, Maison Margiela. This Gucci alliance marks the final step in the outdoor retailer’s journey from dad staple to front row at fashion week.
The collection is expected to debut in a pop-up store in Beijing on December 29. It will be available to other countries in the world in January.