MOUNT MITCHELL FOR NORTH FACE
THE ASK
Assume the role of merchandiser and designer.
Create original patterns based on inspiration originating from a region of the world to create a collection for an activewear brand.
the process
brainstorming + inspiration
The first step in this project was to begin gathering inspiration based on a region. I chose to base this capsule collection on the Appalachian region. In the months prior to starting this project, I had been digitizing thousands of old family pictures. My mother and her family were all raised and lived in the Appalachian region, the pictures of which became the foundation of my inspiration. Being a naturally nostalgic person, it felt fitting to revisit my family’s history in the production of this project. By definition, the Appalachian region spans from southern New York to Alabama + Georgia, but my family’s history has always been connected to southwestern Virginia + western North Carolina.
To check out more family pictures that inspired this project, keep scrolling!
creating a color palette
My color palette for this line was entirely derived from my inspiration board. All of the colors that I used are found in nature, and create a natural feel. For example, the green, pink, and blue shade came from the greenery, blooming flowers, and the Blue Ridge Mountains, respectively. Whereas the charcoal gray, warm brown, and the off-white are from the hue that comes off of an old black-and-white or sepia-hue photo.
creating icons
Much like the process of creating my color palette, I created the icons that would eventually become patterns with images from my inspiration board. My intention was to create a mix of icons that were naturally interesting and also basic shapes, in an effort to challenge myself to create interesting patterns. My first icon is of a traditional quilting square, followed by another traditional embroidered motif. The third icon is of a bee, which can be seen embroidered onto a banjo in the inspiration board. Following that is an icon of Natural Bridge, a 215-foot tall limestone gorge located in western Virginia. My last two icons are of a simple house and a circle.
When choosing these icons, I hoped to emulate the history and tradition of the region, while leaving room to make these icons more modern - to demonstrate the way that I personally view the region.
CREATING PATTERNS
The process of creating these patterns from my original icons was trial-and-error. I knew that I wanted to utilize the traditional motifs, such as the quilt icon, and make it more modern but found it difficult with it being so recognizable. Ultimately, this led me to having one colorway being high-contrast, black and white, and one being much more soft and diluted. With the bee icon and my simplified icons, I aimed to use their simplicity to emulate traditional quilting, embroidery, and craft techniques through the patterns.
My end goal for these patterns was to create modern, retro, heritage-inspired patterns that still maintained a commercial value and made sense in collaboration with North Face for this collection.
This project was an opportunity for me to learn the steps of product development + feel connected to my family’s heritage. By garnering inspiration from a region that is so personal to me, I hoped to pay homage to my history+ create a collection representative of the Appalachia that I have always known.
the outcome
