DR MARTENS X THE NORTH FACE PURPLE LABEL : A CONVERSATION WITH EIICHIRO HOMMA
Joining forces for the third time, Dr. Martens and THE NORTH FACE Purple Label have renewed their ongoing collaboration with the introduction of the Sub Boot 101. The partnership — a match made in heaven for those who appreciate synergies of heritage and progressive design — takes as its blueprint the classic Dr. Martens 101 boot. The foundation has then been meticulously heat-sealed to ensure no water infiltration, while the upper is constructed from high quality and supple Buttersoft nubuck leather. Details such as hiker laces, ski hooks, and D-rings all speak the language of outdoor heritage, whilst coloured accents further nod to THE NORTH FACE Purple Label’s brand codes and offset the boot’s subdued grey tone. To mark the boot’s release, we sat down with Eiichiro Homma of THE NORTH FACE Purple Label to get their respective takes on the collaboration.
First of all, can you describe the connection between Dr. Martens and THE NORTH FACE Purple Label? How did you come to establish such a strong relationship with Dr. Martens?
Our first collaboration with Dr. Martens started in 2016. At that time, Darren McCoy, now the creative director of Dr. Martens, approached us as the manager in charge of collaborations, inviting us to become longterm partners. Initially, we were very particular about having our products made in the UK, so we studied what could be done by reviewing their archives and visiting the Wellingborough factory. Since then, we have collaborated a total of seven times: four times under the nanamica brand and, including this latest project, three times under THE NORTH FACE Purple Label.
Can you please give us some insight into the process of creating this latest collaboration?
Not limited to this collaboration, our approach to manufacturing is based on a high-level mix of fashion and functionality. We have a long history of creating sportswear, and I believe Darren appreciated how we modernised traditional designs both aesthetically and functionally. This time, the project was a good match for our concept, as it involved taking the classic 101 6-eye boot and adding waterproof functionality.
The combination of heritage and innovation is balanced very well through this design. How important was this to you when approaching the design?
Of course, the fusion of tradition and innovation is our core value, but in terms of design, our goal was to create something that clearly looks like Dr. Martens while incorporating recognisable design language from THE NORTH FACE Purple Label.
What other elements made the Sub Boot 101 appealing to work on for this project?
Naturally, since these are waterproof boots, the moulded parts of the lower section differ from regular 101 boots, giving the boots an outdoor appearance from any angle.
Regarding the colour palette, why did you work with this specific colour scheme?
In recent years, THE NORTH FACE Purple Label has had a product category called Asphalt & Green Record, which offers products designed for enjoying and capturing moments in nature within everyday life. For this collaboration, we used Asphalt Gray, a base colour from that collection, for the upper, combined with the black waterproof moulded parts to create a monochromatic look. To add an accent, we used slightly muted purple climbing rope-inspired laces.
How does this collaboration reflect the brand ethos of THE NORTH FACE Purple Label?
We hope people will enjoy styling these boots as streetwear for the city. They have the comfort of waterproof boots and the outdoor style that is core to THE NORTH FACE Purple Label, expressed through the monochromatic colour combination of Asphalt Gray and Black, which sets them apart from sneakers.