EQBC SLIDE
What does a modern, progressive, brand proud sandal look like from The North Face? How could a sandal offering speak to the progressive styling, non-conforming nature of the trend conscience lifestyle consumer? The initial thought was to leverage The North Face’s history as top tier equipment creator and manufacturer, as well as elevating the aspirations, inspirations, and expectations of inner-city consumer. The combination of these two thoughts set the direction around how The North Face designed and delivered a new sandal that would address the needs and styling of the progressive-minded fashion consumer.
Inspiration
Who is this product for? That is hard to say. It is probably easier to identify who it is not for. This style is not for the cautious or those unfamiliar with progressive fashion. The intended consumer is the fashion and trend conscious. The person that wants something new is the individual that wants something different.
Initial Exploration
The design identity behind the EQBC Slide was to combine the details and iconography of The North Face by focusing in on the Base Camp Duffel along with the future of fashion. The amalgamation of the approachability and intuitive aspect of the duffel along with being bold from a visual standpoint, would create the look and feel. To sum this ideology up; “No risk, no reward.”
Direction Refinement
The design direction for the EQBC Slide is all about being brand proud. By taking the materials, trims, and pattern blocking from the iconic designs of the brand and amplifying them, I created a look that references familiar design aesthetics. From using the same buckles that would be used on a backpack or the same ballistic mesh that would be used on a jacket, I created a “shared brand” experience that was the ultimate goal and design direction for this footwear style.
Direction Finalization
Taking design cues from backpack strapping, traditional footwear lacing, and hardware trim components was the focus behind the final concept. This final design is about trying to capture a visual blocking combined with highlighted trim pieces to create a brand proud silhouette that screams The North Face.
Market Release
EQBC which stands for, Equipment Base Camp, pays homage to the Base Camp Duffel. The duffel, which was the primary muse for this style has shared ballistic meshes, binding, and webbing. This was to ground this design within the brand and to be the footwear component to a bigger brand story. The EQBC Slide would become the footwear piece to the larger “Black Box” brand story. The Black Box story consisted of apparel, equipment, and footwear for the collection.
