The North Face Purple Label is a premium, Japan-exclusive line of outdoor fashion that combines technical functionality with modern, urban aesthetics. Here’s a detailed guide to the quality and where to buy.
The North Face Purple Label is a premium, Japan-exclusive line of outdoor fashion that combines technical functionality with modern, urban aesthetics.
The North Face Purple Label, launched in 2003 by Eiichiro Homma, takes The North Face’s outdoor ethos and reimagines it through a Japanese design prism. Exclusively available in Japan, it merges rugged functionality with urban sophistication, offering tailored silhouettes and premium materials.
Since its launch in 2003, this sub-label has gained a cult following among those who appreciate its minimalist, sophisticated approach to outerwear. Featuring timeless silhouettes, fine fabrics, and neutral earthy tones, the collections bridge the gap between rugged outdoor gear and high-end streetwear. The brand often releases limited-editions, making it a favourite among fans of elevated technical wear.
One of the most notable aspects of the North Face Purple Label is its seasonal collections, which often reinterpret North Face silhouettes with a Japanese twist. For example, the Denali Jacket, originally designed for mountaineering, has been reimagined in premium materials like wool or Cordura nylon, enhancing durability and style. Another signature piece is the Field Down Jacket, which combines functional insulation with a tailored fit, making it suitable for both city life and outdoor excursions. The collection also includes cargo pants, fleece vests, and backpacks, all designed with a focus on sustainability and innovative textiles such as Pertex and GORE-TEX.
The North Face Purple Label continues to be a pioneering force in the intersection of fashion and outdoor gear, offering a unique combination of heritage and modern design. Its commitment to high-quality materials, sophisticated design, and limited-editions makes it a standout in premium streetwear. Whether you are a dedicated collector or a fashion enthusiast looking to invest in stylish functional outerwear, the Purple Label is a highly desirable option.
The North Face Purple Label continues to be a pioneering force in the intersection of fashion and outdoor gear
Limited edition releases
Limited-edition releases are a characteristic of the Purple Label, making certain pieces highly sought after. The brand collaborates with fashion designers and retailers to create exclusive capsule collections. For instance, Japanese label nanamica and The North Face Purple Label have collaborated again, this time on a project transforming fabric scraps into wearable pieces.
Their third upcycling venture combines outdoor utility with innovative design and the standout items include wide-leg trousers made from POLARTEC Fleece and chino fabric. Each pair’s finish is unique, depending on the fleece scraps used. To complement these, a reversible chore coat combines fleece lining with sturdy bay-head duck cloth. As with past collaborations, the emphasis is on quality and creativity rather than mass production. Nanamica and The North Face Purple Label show that upcycling is more than waste reduction — it’s a way to create distinctive, experimental pieces that push the boundaries of menswear.
The North Face Purple Label SS25
For SS25, The North Face Purple Label’s collection titled “The Ivy Mountain” features outdoor gear with collegiate style codes, presenting a practical preppy look. “By combining The North Face Purple’s unique functional fabrics and traditional materials, it mixes outdoor culture with Ivy style, presenting a modern heavy-duty Ivy style called ‘The Mountain Ivy,’” TNF Purple Label explained in an Instagram caption.
Versatile silhouettes are reimagined using technical features and fabrics. Coats of varying lengths made with water-resistant fabrics, oversized shirts and sweaters, camouflage cargo pants, skirts, and wide-leg chino shorts, in neutral colours, are part of the new collection. Standouts also include denim overshirts, long-sleeved shirts, pants and jackets, reflecting a slouchy look that The North Face Purple Label has sought to achieve since its launch.
Where to buy
Availability is restricted due to its Japan-only distribution model. The collection is primarily sold at nanamica stores in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, and through high-end Japanese department stores like BEAMS, UNITED ARROWS, and GOLDWIN.
However, international buyers can access select items through online platforms such as nanamica’s official website, Rakuten, and StockX, where resellers often list rare or sold-out pieces.
Due to its limited availability, prices can be significantly higher on the secondary market, especially for sought-after collaborations and seasonal exclusives.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
