The North Face Japan and SASHIKO GALS enter new territory with a collaboration that treats outdoor clothing as a cultural object without removing its function. Partnering across generations of hand-stitching practice, the capsule reframes utility gear through visible craft.
The collaboration positions traditional Japanese hand-stitching as a working method suited to present-day concerns. The focus stays on process and longevity, using visible construction to underline care, repair, and continuation. This approach aligns the collection with sustainability without turning it into a slogan-driven exercise. Each garment communicates its values through material choices and physical evidence of work.
At the center of the project sits a reworked version of the iconic 1992 Nuptse silhouette. For the first time, the design passes through the lens of a hanten, a traditional Japanese winter coat historically worn for warmth and practicality. This shift alters the structure of the garment, replacing the familiar zip-front format with a relaxed, zipless construction. Despite the change in form, the piece retains the insulation expected from the Nuptse lineage.
Material innovation plays a key role in this reinterpretation. The BP Nuptse Hanten uses Brewed Protein, a lab-grown, petroleum-free fiber developed by biotech company Spiber. The fiber supports insulation needs while reducing reliance on conventional synthetic materials.
The rest of the capsule extends the same logic across smaller pieces. The BP Nuptse Down Sashiko Booties apply the signature stitching method to footwear, translating craft language into a compact, functional form. Heavyweight cotton T-shirts complete the offering, carrying the same stitched detailing across a more familiar wardrobe item.
Each item receives hand-stitching executed by members of the SASHIKO GALS collective. This process ensures that no two pieces match exactly. The surface of each garment carries irregularities created by the motion of the needle and the decisions of the maker.
The limited-edition series will be available exclusively from December 27 at The North Face Alter in Harajuku, Tokyo. By keeping distribution focused on a single location, The North Face Japan reinforces the specificity of the project and its ties to place, craft, and context.
