The North Face facts for kids
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Shop in Paris
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| Subsidiary | |
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| Founded | 1968 in San Francisco, California, US |
| Founders |
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US
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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Arne Arens, Global Brand President |
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| Parent | VF Corporation |
The North Face is a company from America that makes gear for outdoor fun. They make clothes, shoes, and other equipment for adventures like hiking and camping. It started in 1968 to help climbers. Their famous logo looks like Half Dome, a big rock in Yosemite National Park. By the 1990s, the brand became popular not just with outdoor adventurers but also as a cool fashion style for everyday wear. In 2000, a company called VF Corporation bought The North Face.
Contents
History of The North Face
How the Company Started
In 1964, Douglas Tompkins and his wife, Susie Tompkins, started The North Face in San Francisco. They borrowed $5,000 to begin. At first, it was a mail-order and retail company. They sold gear for rock climbing and camping.
Douglas Tompkins designed special tents. His tents did not need a pole in the middle. Instead, they used bendable rods outside. This made the tents stronger and better in the wind. This design became very popular.
Early Stores and Changes
The very first The North Face store opened on October 26, 1966. It was in San Francisco. A famous band called The Grateful Dead played music at its grand opening.
A second store opened on November 14, 1967. This store was near Stanford University. The Steve Miller Blues Band played there to celebrate.
In 1967, Douglas Tompkins sold his part of the company. He sold it to Kenneth "Hap" Klopp for $50,000. Douglas then went on a six-month trip to climb a mountain. He later helped his wife start a fashion company called Esprit.
New Ownership and Headquarters
In 2000, VF Corporation bought The North Face. The deal was worth about $25.4 million. The North Face then became a part of VF Corporation.
The company's main office used to be in Alameda, California. It was in the same building as JanSport, another company owned by VF Corporation. In 2020, The North Face moved its headquarters. It is now located in Denver, Colorado.
Making the Outdoors Welcoming
In March 2024, The North Face started a program. They offered a discount to customers who watched a course. This course was about making the outdoors welcoming for everyone. It aimed to help people understand challenges some groups face outside. The company wants to encourage more people to enjoy nature.
The North Face as Fashion
Beyond Outdoor Gear
By 1997, The North Face clothes were popular with many people. This included not just skiers and climbers. People in cities also started wearing them as everyday fashion. It was still a small part of their business then.
Popularity and Status
By the early 2010s, The North Face became a symbol of status. This happened in places like South Korea. Wearing their jackets showed you had a popular brand.
See also
- List of outdoor industry parent companies
