U.S. Designers Need To Take Notes From The North Face’s Purple Label

We'll say it again: The North Face's Purple Label produces some of the best winter clothing around, but if you're not in Japan that doesn't mean a damn thing. Marrying Japanese minimalism (think upgraded Uniqlo) with the tech and functionality of a heritage outdoor brand, The Purple Label's clothes are the rare mix of shit of you desire and shit you trust. You buy these clothes not just because they're beautiful, but because you know they'll get the job done. The snapshots from the brand's most recent lookbook are more than just a cruel tease, they're a reminder that there's always room for improvement. Look, covet, set an EBay alert.