THE RENEWED DESIGN RESIDENCY PROJECT x THE NORTH FACE

This passion project, initiated by a team of The North Face designers collaborating with THE RENEWAL WORKSHOP, involved hands-on learning to understand common issues with 'irreparable' products and improve design for repairability. As we sorted through damaged items at the Renewal Workshop headquarters, we categorized them based on repair types, envisioning creative and wearable solutions. The Renewed Design Residency Project evolved and became a two-part initiative: educating designers on repairable and recyclable design, and unleashing creativity to transform irreparable garments into unique pieces, diverting them from landfills.

PART I. RENEWED DESIGN RESIDENCY COLLECTION

We sorted through hundreds of returned/damaged products, cut garments apart, sorted useful scraps & trims, and sketched out different ideas for repair to create a full collection of upcycled garments. For each designer, this meant making patterns from scratch, sewing, and working collaboratively with the sew tech team.

FINAL CONCEPTS

The team collaborated to design 13 upcycled garments, utilizing a variety of damaged TNF products deemed "unrepairable." These items were auctioned off as part of the kick-off launch for the REMADE COLLECTION. Below are highlights of the 3 garments that I conceptualized and designed in collaboration with the team and sewing technicians.

CONCEPT #1: INSULATED LOGO ANORAK

I liked the idea of mixing different components from garments that had very different original styles and fabrics - and there was a lot of navy. I cut the sleeves and lower body off of the cotton hoodie because there were multiple stains, but I wanted to keep the raw edge look. One detail led to another, and it turned into a fun anorak with side zips, a cozy campshire-lined pocket, and a play on tonal navy.

CONCEPT #2: FLEECE DOWN ANORAK

This concept piece was created from 3 garments. I used a damaged fleece pullover that had abrasion marks, a Thermoball jacket w/ small tears and a damaged zipper, and scraps from damaged outerwear jackets. I combined the upper half of the fleece, and miscellaneous components from the down jacket to create this hybrid piece.

CONCEPT #3: SLEEPING BAG 3-IN-1 JACKET

The idea truly sparked in a collaborative way, and one idea led to another and another. This was probably my favorite concept of the few that I created. The idea of patch repairing TNF Nuptse Jackets turned into a 3-in-1 concept. I had so much fun ideating ways to utilize all the components of the jackets, from creating a full sleeping bag, to creating a self attached stuff sack. The result? A sleeping bag jacket that you can sleep in, wear separately, detach when you want a cozy camp blanket, and stuff away in it's own attached stuff sack.

PART II: TNF REMADE COLLECTION

REMADE is a collection that originated from the design residency, focusing on visible repairs that couldn't meet the original 'like-new' standards. The challenge was to create a guidebook for The Renewal Workshop team, outlining various creative ways to visibly and uniquely repair damaged garments. Our approach involved utilizing fabric from salvaged, damaged TNF garments and incorporating new trims, such as zippers and snaps, only when replaceable. These pieces were subsequently sold online as part of the Remade Collection.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LEARNINGS?

Scalability is really difficult when there are so many variables! This made it really hard to give clear guidelines to the sew tech team at The Renewal Workshop because every piece was unique. We had to review every garment 1 by 1 and give clear directions on the type of repair, what to use and where, etc. We also wanted to make sure the repair felt unique and fun for someone to want to wear. We had to get really creative, and it showed us that it takes a whole team commitment to make it happen if we want it to be scalable.