Winter is Coming: The North Face Teams Up with Artist Leon Xu to Redefine Cold-Weather Style
As the temperature drops and the leaves change, it’s time to start thinking about your winter wardrobe. But finding the perfect protective layer can be a daunting task. Luckily, The North Face has teamed up with multidisciplinary artist and designer Leon Xu to transform their iconic Mountain Down Jacket into a work of art.
Xu’s collaboration with The North Face explores the idea of outerwear as a form of self-expression. No longer just a functional necessity, your winter coat can now make a statement all on its own. Hypebeast caught up with Xu in his downtown NYC studio to see his creative process in action.
The Modern-Day Confucius of Design
Leon Xu is not your average artist. He incorporates ancient Eastern philosophy into his work, blending poetry, philosophy, and self-reflection into visual mediums like photography, painting, and sculpture. His pieces often explore the concept of memory and the ever-changing nature of our surroundings. Xu also uses graffiti as a form of resistance and anti-linear creation, adding a rebellious edge to his art.
Remixing The North Face Mountain Down Jacket
For this collaboration, Xu was tasked with putting his unique spin on The North Face’s Mountain Down Jacket, a revamped version of their iconic 1985 design. He started by measuring the back panel of the jacket, which is made from a proprietary DRYVENT™ fabric that is both waterproof and insulated with 600-fill down. The jacket also features an adjustable hood, zipper details on the sleeves, large flap pockets, and a cinch-cord at the waist hem for customizable fit and protection against the elements.
Xu then applied a custom-cut canvas to the back of the jacket and painted it white. Once dry, he added soft, airbrushed strokes of muted colors, mirroring a photo he had captured on his computer. The photo depicted a tree casting a shadow on a white van, and Xu used this as inspiration to play with negative space and reimagine the outlines of the branches and leaves as a textural motif.
Through Xu’s artistic lens, it’s easy to see how outerwear can become a larger canvas for self-expression. Certain silhouettes provide the perfect blank space to add color or experiment with prints, making cold-weather layering a fun and creative process.
The North Face’s Innovative Textile Solutions
The North Face is not just focused on style, but also on functionality. In 2022, they introduced their Women’s Hydrenalite™ City Down Hooded Parka, which addresses the dilemma of fashion versus function. The parka features 600-fill recycled down insulation and a fully recycled, water-repellent fabric shell, making it both lightweight and protective against the elements. It’s the perfect winter essential for unpredictable weather and early-morning commutes, while still maintaining a sleek and stylish look.
So when it comes to choosing your winter outerwear, there’s no need to sacrifice fashion for functionality. Thanks to The North Face and Leon Xu, you can have both in one statement-making piece.
