The North Face taps 9 explorers to reimagine urban dressing

The North Face has partnered with nine North Asian explorers to launch its Urban Exploration Fall/Winter 2026 collection, guided by the philosophy “Urban exploration, explore your own way.”

Moving beyond rigid street aesthetics and traditional dress codes, the collection seamlessly fuses outdoor performance DNA with architectural silhouettes and modular design. Built around inclusive proportions, flexible construction, and multi-scenario utility, the pieces reject a singular standard of dress—creating space for diverse body types, rhythms, and lifestyles across the metropolis.

From photographers and musicians to climbers, stylists, and athletes, the nine campaign frontrunners demonstrate that city exploration has no fixed route, rhythm, or form.

For Hong Kong photographer Hailun Ma, the city is a shifting visual field where cultures collide. Her look centres on the Dome Denim Hoodie Jacket CORDURA, featuring an A-line structure that evokes the geometry of a camera viewfinder. Paired with straight-leg trousers, the jacket’s structured hood forms a sharp visual apex, while ethnic-patterned satin detailing at the waist brings a rich focal point to the clean denim base.

Translating musical flow into physical movement, Chinese rapper FEEZY showcases the dynamic seam lines of the Dome Hardshell Jacket GORE-TEX. Worn cape-like over a base layer, the streamlined shell redefines the relationship between body and garment, offering an unrestricted, technical expression of fluid city style.

Alpine photographer and climber Jill Zhang, having traversed Nepal, Hokkaido, and the Meili Snow Mountains, requires absolute adaptability. Her modular outfit pairs reversible functionality with rock-face-inspired textures via the Rev Easy-Layering Cape Padded Jacket Pertex, using climbing-informed detailing to bridge her dual identity as both athlete and visual artist.

Known for subverting styling formulas, K-pop fashion visionary ACTOY overturns traditional layering by wearing a structured GORE-TEX waterproof jacket underneath the two-in-one Layered Collar LW Down Jacket Pertex. The contrast between the rigid inner shell and the relaxed outer form results in an intentional, highly sculptural upper-body silhouette.

Proving that willpower is the ultimate gear, extreme sports athlete Jessica Du transforms the Mount Future Fleece Hardshell Jacket into a futuristic techwear statement. She pairs a cropped, structured top with layered wide-leg culottes, creating a voluminous A-line profile that bridges high-fashion precision with athletic speed.

Bringing the energy of the racetrack directly to the curb, XIAOPIHAI pairs the oversized S-Tech Convertible Duffle Down Jacket Pertex with Dome Denim Pants CORDURA. Sweeping lines, clean stitching, fluorescent functional bags, and a racing helmet heighten the high-speed, performance-driven aesthetic.

Challenging expectations surrounding age and self-expression, Yi Zhang elevates the Voluminous Zonal Down Jacket Pertex into a statement of elegance. Plush textures are layered with high-function technical fabrics to strip away winter bulk, proving that style moves on its own timeline. Bringing his digital colour universes to physical streets, Hong Kong rapper OFFGOD sports the Layered PKT Gradient Down Jacket. Utilising high-contrast light and dark panels with natural tonal transitions, the modular look injects dynamic, youth-driven energy into technical streetwear.

Finally, bringing snowfield momentum to urban terrain, skier Zhang Lin wears the AIO Explorer Wool-Down Jacket. Combining a rich wool-blend fabric with dimensional waist-layering, the jacket breaks up traditional vertical lines to blend crisp mountain tailoring with an effortless athletic stance.

Ultimately, The North Face Urban Exploration FW26 collection transforms technical performance gear into a fluid extension of the wearer. The collection will roll out progressively across official online platforms and select The North Face Urban Exploration Concept Stores, including locations in Hong Kong.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to The North Face for more information.

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