The Complete History of Supreme x The North Face Collabs
Supreme's sneaker collabs may cause riots on the streets of New York, but the brand's seasonal project with The North Face has created some of streetwear's most coveted pieces. James Jebbia has always aimed to supply discerning skaters with clothing for all occasions, and hooking up with The North Face has produced some technically proficient, high-performance outdoors gear for Supreme customers to hit the streets undeterred by rain, wind or snow.
As with all of Supreme's collaborations, the brand's TNF project relies on simultaneously simple and bold reworkings of classic garments, adding something new to its collections while keeping its witty, countercultural spirit intact. Unsurprisingly, Supreme x TNF's co-branded sleeves have become a regular fixture on the thriving resell market for the brand's goods, whether they're appearing on leopard print puffer jackets or reflective windbreakers.
Now in its 21st season, here's a complete history of Supreme x The North Face.
Fall/Winter 2007
For the duo's first ever outing, Supreme gave the Midas touch to a pair of The North Face's Summit jackets. The two colorways mixed earth tones and bright, volt colors that harked back to ’90s outdoor gear - much like the OG "Rattan" and "Trail End Brown" colorways used across Nike's cult classic ACG line. Supreme branding ran down the left sleeve - in a straightened, all upper-case version of the brand's signature Futura typeface.
The jackets also sported leopard-print linings, a recurring theme in Supreme collections (see 2012's Levi's collab and FW11's trench coat).
Spring/Summer 2008
SS08's collab is the stuff of Box Logo legend. Both "Day" and "Night" colorways of the Summit jacket were dressed in lush graphics depicting New York's Public Library in Midtown, with an oversized Supreme logo running down the left sleeve. Both these pieces regularly fetch outrageous prices on Supreme's thriving resell market - kudos to anyone who's held onto one of these since ’08.
Fall/Winter 2008
The following season, 'Preme worked its magic on a trio of Denali zip-up fleece jackets, outfitting the Dadwear, Normcore staple in some more throwback colorways - the dazzling pink/teal combo making for a particularly striking piece of ’90s nostalgia. The Denali zip-ups sported cozy 300-series Polartec fleece and abrasion-reinforced shoulders and elbows.
Spring/Summer 2010
Following a two-season break, 'Preme and TNF returned with three Expedition pullovers in black, royal/red and hunting-style "duck" camo. James Jebbia has made clear his desire to outfit discerning skaters' entire wardrobes, and the jackets' 100% waterproof, triple-layered, tricot-backed nylon shells and taped seams were ideal for those who wanted to shred in the middle of a rainstorm.
Fall/Winter 2010
For FW10, a trio of TNF's Mountain Parkas were produced with British Millerain's water-resistant waxed cotton (the same fabric used on Barbour's legendary hunting jackets, FYI). The jackets were accompanied by the project's first outing into accessories: three Base Camp duffels (which doubled up as backpacks if needed) were dropped in colorways that matched the outerwear.
For more on The North Face's renowned Mountain Parka, check out our interview with TNF aficionado Joey Ones.
Spring/Summer 2011
This time around Supreme gave the Box Logo treatment to three of TNF's pullover windbreakers, which were engineered from water-resistant poly shells with nylon linings. The checkered windbreakers were dropped alongside matching caps and three Bogo'd sleeping bags sporting The North Face's Heatshield synthetic insulation technology.
Instagram maven and Kylie Jenner stylist Ian Connor is pretty fond of this collab, by the way.
Fall/Winter 2011
FW11's Nuptse puffer jackets are some of Supreme's most coveted jackets - and for good reason. Executed in striking gold, green and grey leopard print colorways, the puffers were designed with water-resistant nylon shells and 700-fill goose down. Famously donned by Drake in his video for "The Motto", the Nuptses also came with matching Rolling Thunder travel bags.
Spring/Summer 2012
SS12's collab decked out a pair of Venture Parkas in water-resistant ripstop nylon Hyvent shells, alongside a pair of ballistic nylon Hotshot backpacks and Rolling Thunder travel bags. For reasons unknown, the jackets ditched the project's co-branded sleeves in favor of an all-over map print (also featured on SS13's Clarks collab), which probably explains why these are some of the least popular Supreme x TNF pieces out there.
Fall/Winter 2012
The Mountain Parka appeared once again, this time in a cotton corduroy fabric with matching Medium Day Pack bags. Nothing outrageous here, just some well-crafted, water-resistant jackets made to TNF's typically high standards - although the collaboration's standout double branding made a welcome return on the right sleeve.
Spring/Summer 2013
The North Face's Mountain Parka returned for the third time, this time executed with an almost entirely reflective 3M-coated shell, with abrasion-resistant ripstop panels on the shoulders, elbows, and cuffs. The two jackets offered ridiculous levels of nighttime visibility, turning the wearer into a giant Box Logo-adorned lamp when light shone on them. The outerwear was accompanied by a Medium Day Pack and Roo II waistpack, both of which sported similarly dazzling reflective shells.
Fall/Winter 2013
The fan-favorite Nuptse jacket returned for FW13, this time forgoing leopard prints in favor of an equally striking rabbit fur pattern. The jacket was produced with The North Face's highly insulating 700-fill goose down, and was also dropped as a sleeveless vest.
Spring/Summer 2014
In a first-ever for both brands, this collaboration debuted the Expedition Coaches Jacket, which gave the sportswear staple a waterproof nylon shell and detachable hood. The collab's pieces sported Polo-style flag patches, with another bold map print harking back to ’90s outdoor gear and oversized branding running down the sleeve.
Much like the evolution of Supreme's mainline, the collab abandoned previous seasons' subtlety in favor of large logos and bold primary colors and was hard to stomach for veteran Supreme heads. The jackets nevertheless went down a storm with the brand's younger clientele, and the map-printed colorway appeared in The Weeknd's "King of the Fall" video, too.
Fall/Winter 2014
The Mountain Parka took center stage once again, this time with a waterproof, breathable and fully sealed ripstop shell in a trio of gang-like bandana-patterned colorways. Sup x TNF favorites the Rolling Thunder travel pack and Dolomite sleeping bag were also dropped, alongside ETIP insulated gloves and Thermoball Traction Mule slippers - ideal accessories for those freezing cold late-night sneaker campouts.
Spring/Summer 2015
For the duo's 14th outing, The North Face's Dot Shot parka was imbued with GORE-TEX Windstopper triple-layered denim, which also featured on Horizon boonie hats, Denali hiking pants, Basecamp duffels and Medium Day Pack bags.
The two-part collab was rounded off by a Packable Coaches Jacket in star-patterned navy and red, and plain black and gold, with colossal The North Face logos printed on the back.
Fall/Winter 2015
This season's collab saw The North Face and Supreme reunite on the fan-favorite Nuptse jacket, which appeared alongside the Mountain Pullover, Basecamp Crimp Backpack, Basecamp Travel Canister and Winter Runner's Glove. Continuing recent seasons' penchant for bold branding, the pieces were emblazoned with Malcolm X's slogan, "By Any Means Necessary."
The collection used the same bold, italicized Futura typeface as Supreme's legendary Barbara Kruger-inspired Box Logo, in a similar fashion to SS07's "Illegal Business" pieces and FW12's Porter collab.
Spring/Summer 2016
Supreme and The North Face drop’s SS16 collection featured plenty of throwback Steep Tech-branded gear. Primarily made up of crewneck sweaters, tees and caps in a bevy of summer-ready colorways, such as bright red, sunshine, yellow and aqua blue, it was a definite homage to ‘90s hip-hop ‘fits.
The North Face’s Steep Tech line was debuted in 1991 by pro skier Scot Schmidt, and it combined The North Face's tech with striking, nostalgic colorways. Supreme resurrected the line in tandem with TNF, much to the joy of the streetwear cognoscenti and it only added to the two brands' enduring successful partnership.
Fall/Winter 2016
This collection spawned a slew of street style hits such as the classic North Face mountain jacket in leafy camo and hi-vis orange, both of which have emerged as a favorite among the street style set. For the most part, it was a robust collection of cozy winter essentials, which included insulated pants and boots, and a trio of luggage options in various sizes.
Spring/Summer 2017
The latest installment of Supreme x The North Face is here, and while the internet is clamoring to compare the latest collection to Ronald McDonald ‘fits, it is safe to say it will sell out in mere minutes when it drops today.
Once again, there’s a diverse selection of tops, bottoms, and accessories, all exacted with functional appeal. While Supreme x North Face’s last spring collection was peppered with prints, the latest feat takes a more pared-back but colorful approach.
There’s an eclectic palette at work, including some decorative patches featuring the US flag. It’s a stark move away from the brand’s mainline SS17 collection, featuring plenty of loud, politically-charged motifs but definitely indulges the North Face’s heritage as an explorative, outdoor brand.
Check out how Instagram users styled the collection here, and for more Supreme content check out the brand's 15 most obscure box logo tees.
Fall/Winter 2017
The 19th collaboration between Supreme and The North Face is appropriately robust for winter, with an emphasis on The North Face's legacy as a durable, outerwear brand. Featuring an entirely leather range of products, each item is stocked in black/red, black/yellow or an all-black colorway. As a staple of The North Face, the latest interpretation from Supreme of the Nuptse Jacket (named after a mountain you could be climbing whilst wearing it) features 700-fil down insulation and the Supreme x The North Face logos on the arm.
Continuing on the use of leather, this drop also includes a leather basecamp duffel bag, leather Roo II lumbar pack and leather gloves with a sherling lining.
Fall/Winter 2017 Part 2
For the second instalment of the Supreme x The North Face Fall/Winter 2017 drop, the collaboration went full winter mode with a recurring snowy mountain graphic and distinctly icy black/blue/white colorway.
The drop featured the alpine print on a Baltoro Jacket, Mountain parka, short-sleeve tee, crewneck sweatshirt, 6-panel hat, Expedition Backpack and a super cozy Nuptse blanket.
As per usual, some of the most hyped items from the drop are the co-branded heavy-duty winter jackets, both the Baltoro Jacket and the Mountain Parka are made from water-resistant nylon, with the Baltoro featuring 700-fil down insulation and a packable hood (which also has Supreme branding going up the back). A notable feature of this drop which hasn't been featured prominently in some time is the inclusion of the OG box logo in classic red as found on the crewneck sweaters, tees and hats.
Spring/Summer 2018
A deviation from the recent graphic-heavy collections, The North Face x Supreme's SS18 drop leaned towards metallics, pastels and all-in-one overalls. As is the case with most Supreme releases, the internet reacted with memes for days, comparing the collection to astronauts and outer space.
The drop included Mountain Parkas, Mountain Bib Pants, Hooded Sweatshirts, short-sleeve T-shirts, 6-Panel Hats, Borealis Backpacks, Roo II Lumbar Packs, and Shoulder Bags. The metallic colorway came in three distinguished pallets of gold/black , silver/black and rose-gold/black, mirroring some of the recent colors that have been made available for Apple products.
The Mountain Parka and Mountain Bib feature typical The North Face functionality such as waterproof metallic coating and fully seam-sealed nylon construction.
Spring/Summer 2018 Part 2
Just as they did for FW17, Supreme and The North Face ended up dropping two collaborations during SS18. The second was a snake-print-heavy offering that stayed true to the collaboration’s history of producing eye-catching pieces.
The drop included a packable taped-seam coaches jacket, taped-seam pants, packable reversible bucket hats, lightweight day-pack, packable duffle bag, and The North Face’s taped-seam Stormbreak 3 tent.
With the products covering a wide range of uses (although we can’t see anyone actually camping in their ‘Preme tent), the drop went down as a solid representative of what The North Face and Supreme are all about: to stand out and push the limits of collaboration.
