A Detailed Look at The North Face x Cecilie Ba…

Cecilie Bahnsen and The North Face debuted the second season of their collaboration today in Paris, building upon the foundation they laid with their first collection. Initially introduced at Cecilie Bahnsen’s Spring/Summer 2025 runway last fall, the partnership fuses Bahnsen’s signature soft lines and delicate details with The North Face’s technical expertise. We described the first season as “hyper-feminine gorpcore,” and this season continues that dialogue while expanding on themes of modularity and heritage. 

When asked about the overarching themes of the second lineup, David Whetstone, Director of Global Collaborations at The North Face, explains, “We focused on products, past and present, that were built for the extreme conditions of high alpine, which have become icons of culture over time—through [Cecilie’s] lens.”

Bahnsen expands on this idea, emphasizing the dichotomy of femininity and utility. “This collection refines and expands upon the conversation between our hyper-feminine couturier style and The North Face’s mountaineering heritage. There’s a strong focus on warmth, layering, and modular dressing—designing pieces that adapt to both the elements and the way people wear them in everyday life,” the Danish designer says. “We’ve also leaned into contrast, balancing the precision of The North Face’s icons with the softness and fluidity that defines Cecilie Bahnsen.” 

The floral appliqués and embroidery added throughout bags and hiking boots, as well as zipper-pulls and drawstring toggles converted into little flowers, are some details that show how meticulous both brands were in making this collection.

Bahnsen envisions both seasons of her TNF collaborations to be worn together in tandem. “Rather than starting over, this second collection expands on the foundation we built with the first, creating a more complete wardrobe that layers together,” she says. “I don’t see these collections as separate moments, and the pieces are designed to complement each other—like the Denali fleece jacket, which can be worn under the Mountain Jackets from the first collection.”

The designer’s favorite piece from this lineup is the brand’s first-ever puffer jacket, the Himalayan Parka, and the matching puffer skirt. “The parka holds a special place in this collection, capturing the essence of the collaboration so well. It’s oversized yet weightless, technical yet soft. The down skirt is also a standout—It’s an unexpected piece yet feels completely natural within the collection; something feminine, functional, and adaptable.” 

Whetstone adds, “She’s not worked much with down and insulated products. We’ve enjoyed partnering with her in this category, one that is so true for us, to create something new for both brands.”

One of the most exciting elements of this partnership is how Cecilie Bahnsen integrates The North Face’s performance-driven materials into her distinctly feminine designs. While no new materials were developed specifically for this collection, TNF’s tech-fabric library takes on a fresh identity with Bahnsen’s interpretation. “The North Face’s Wool DOTKNIT baselayer, for example, is engineered for warmth and breathability, but here, it’s reinterpreted with a more sculptural feel,” Whetstone explains. “It’s about taking these advanced materials and making them part of a wardrobe that moves between worlds, whether that’s walking through the city, traveling, or embracing the outdoors.”

Cecilie Bahnsen and The North Face continue to push the boundaries of what designer fashion and high-performance outdoor-wear can look like when combined. Their second collaboration reinforces the two brands’ belief that technical innovation and romance can coexist.

The first The North Face x Cecilie Bahnsen collaboration is set to release next week on March 13, 2025. Their Fall/Winter 2025 lineup will release later this year.