WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Once upon a time - 1966, to be precise - in San Francisco's North Beach Neighbourhood, a star was born. No, not Lady Gaga with the help of Bradley Cooper, or Barbra Streisand with support from Kris Kristofferson. We're talking about the birth of outerwear brand The North Face.
The world-renowned technical sportswear label started with humble beginnings on the West Coast of America, where friends, lovers and hiking enthusiasts, Douglas and Susie Tompkins, decided to set up a backpacking and climbing equipment store — one that fellow climbers could rely on. Fast-forward over 50 years later and not only is The North Face the go-to for contemporary explorers, but it’s also now sported by everyone and their mother (literally, it’s now school-run standard).
But for a brand that’s so globally popular, it’s surprising how little we know (and how often we Google search questions) about its ethos and history. Good job Farfetch is here to give you all the answers.
What is The North Face logo?
Yosemite’s mighty half-dome mountainside.
Don’t know what/where Yosemite is? Tough. We’re not National Geographic.
Where does the name come from?
Just like your ex, the north face of a northern hemisphere mountain is cold, harsh and (almost) unbearable. And so the name represents the Tompkins’ confidence that their goods were (and still are) suitable for even the most challenging of expeditions.
What is the best The North Face jacket for Autumn?
We're loving this one (see below).
When did The North Face become cool?
In the golden age of fashion, the ‘90s (of course). Rappers started donning The North Face jackets and suddenly the brand was a B.I.G deal with younger demographics.
Who have The North Face collaborated with?
The North Face have collaborated with the likes of Supreme, Vans, Junya Watanabe and (back in the day) even Apple. Yes, as in the iPhone creators. Thank god their idea of ‘wearables’ is slightly more sophisticated now.
Where to buy The North Face Jackets?
Right here on Farfetch. Duh.
Will The North Face be in the Black Friday sale?
Here's hoping.