The North Face
(Source: The North Face)
An outerwear jacket that utilizes structural protein materials will be launched under The North Face, the outdoor apparel brand of VF Corp., Greensboro, NC/USA.
Jointly developed by sports apparel manufacturer Goldwin Inc., Tokyo/Japan, and the new-generation biomaterial developer Spiber Inc., Yamagata/Japan, The Moon Parka is the first commercially available outerwear jacket to utilize structural proteins produced through a microbial fermentation process that does not rely on petrochemical resources. The outer layer is made from the jointly developed Brewed Protein1 materials. A breathable, waterproof laminate forms the middle layer of the shell, and the inner padding uses 900 fill power Cleandown to ensure heat retention.
The Moon Parka is the second item launched under The North Face and Spiber’s collaborative project, The North Face Sp.
Goldwin and Spiber believe that it is the duty of the present generation to shift away from a short-term, consumerist economic model based on the use of non-renewable petroleum resources, and to move towards a sustainable, long-term economic model based on the use of renewable, sustainable resources. By considering how to balance functionality with environmental considerations, and by examining the role of products and the economy, Goldwin and Spiber hope to arrive at a solution for creating sports apparel items which can support a lifestyle in harmony with nature.