On the occasion of the MM6 Maison Margiela runway show at London Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2020, MM6 announces a new partnership with outerwear specialists The North Face.

Incorporated into multiple silhouettes of the MM6 Autumn Winter 2020 collection on Sunday February 16th, a singular focus on transforming The North Face signature Expedition System sees the technical precision and functionality of the original design meet the conceptual prowess of the Maison. Established in 1990, the Expedition System was a revolutionary system of detachable, layered pieces designed for extreme weather conditions. In this unique exercise, keystone garments from the series are reimagined in circular patterns that mimic the ‘circle’ concept inherent to MM6.
Resonating with the modular and customisable nature of both the MM6 collection and the original Expedition System, garments are engineered with interlocking components that adapt and extend the protective, insulating properties of each design. Starting from The North Face iconic black shoulder construction and executed in a bright palette of cobalt, violet, bottle green, sun yellow and safety orange, authentic performance textiles ensure each piece preserves ultimate functionality whilst embodying a sculptural and resolutely avant-garde silhouette.

This duality is applied to key styles including the hooded Himalayan Coat, the cape-style Mountain Kaban, and the compact Nuptse puffer jacket – all crafted with recycled down insulation. The zippered Denali jacket is lengthened into a coat dress and shortened as a sweater, each cut in a cosy, pre-washed recycled fleece.

An advanced triple-zipper system allows for fully adjustable sleeves and armholes, whilst original fastenings allow the Denali and Nuptse styles to zip directly into the Mountain Kaban.The magnified MM6 ‘numbers’ device mirrors The North Face logo in white thread embroidery on each piece. Accessories also fuse elements of MM6 iconography with classic The North Face functionality.

The padded Nuptse scarf, for example, is adapted with dual pockets and a loop fastening system to become a garment in itself, whilst opera-length alpine mittens are split at the thumb for a ‘Tabi’ effect. A circle backpack and clutch are each modelled off the circular base of The North Face Base Camp Duffel, complete with webbing handles and a transparent ID window.

MM6 | THE NORTH FACE capsule will be available from September 2020 in selected multibrand stores, in key MM6 and The North Face flagship stores, and online.

AUTUMN-WINTER 2020 / THE COLLECTION

In the exercise of documenting a generation, the call and repeat of appropriation and innovation becomes tangible. At a certain point, even the most recognizable tropes are subject to such interpretations that meaning is altered and new creative expressions are born. The MM6 collection for Autumn Winter 2020 considers this conceit, employing controlled methods to approach the zeitgeist whilst avoiding nostalgia itself. To wit: a Parisian maison, showing in London, inspired by New York.
Whilst delving into disparate eras of underground club culture and its glamorous protagonists, the MM6 collection subverts the expectations of myriad garments by applying the house concept of ‘circularity’. Draping exercises in the atelier have led to sculpted circle skirts and sweaters, whilst tailoring constructions see jacket sleeves displaced for a new posture. A landmark collaboration with The North Face sees their iconic Expedition System outerwear transformed as padded circle coats, jackets, a top and dress. The urban connotation of colour-blocked all-weather gear permeates the collection, clashing with hound’s tooth, ribbed lurex, and Fair Isle knitting. Offsetting the cape effect of curved tops, a series of detachable tailored sleeves tie behind the shoulders – furthering the effect of contrast layering through bright turtlenecks, lariat bodysuits and tabi gloves. MM6 reviews are shredded from fashion magazines and collaged into a custom ‘zebra’ motif applied on jacquard and satins pieces for a subversive take on this classic animalia print.
Across the MM6 accessories collection, the ‘circle’ concept is applied to conventionally geometric objects to create new forms such as the signature Japanese origami bag in stamped croc, circular bandanas, leather cardholders, and a round knitted hat. Musicality informs a percussive jewellery collection, from a tambourine choker to cymbal earrings and rings. For a 1960´s East Village spirit revisited, a heavy chain-link bracelet is slung across biker boots with the cylinder ‘6’ stamp heel, finished in rough suede, mirrored silver, and thigh-high stretch leather. In collaboration with Mykita, textured Mylon bar frames eyewear styles merge high performance with an MM6 attitude.
Recorded by the MM6 studio, a custom vinyl recording played on the occasion of the AW20 presentation in London, England, consists of a six-channel track featuring isolated sonic expressions of the collection.