

The Intersection of Modern Technology and Handmade Craftmanship
Design and Product Development
2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund Case Study
A/W 25/26 Men’s Wear
“The Bright Freeze’ is a collection that goes beyond apparel, it is a collection that leans on the inspiration of the ethereal tranquility found while adventuring and spending time to be grateful for the beauty that is around you.

Executive Summary
“The Bright Freeze” collection by The North Face is inspired by the sense of reflection and achievement found at the summit of outdoor adventures, merging historic trims, bold seasonal colors, and innovative, sustainable textiles to balance brand heritage with forward-thinking design.
Emphasizing waste reduction through recycled materials and digital development, the collection integrates advanced technology by utilizing the GarmentGuide AI tool, which supports technical designers with garment measurements and software expertise, streamlining and improving the apparel development process.
Clo Renders

Flats

Impact
This collection aims to synthesize all of these trends to create sustainable clothing that aligns with The North Face as a brand and their history. By combining all of the technological trends, we can create innovative clothing that pays homage to artisan craftmanship whilst meeting all of the consumers need.
This collection will integrate cutting edge technology using recycled fabrics and AI optimized designing, while also looking toward traditional techniques like tactile textiles, and hand-stitching. The convergence of the two will create environmentally sustainable pieces, but also aesthetically compelling pieces embodying the spirit of innovation that defines The North Face.
Scale of rectangles reflects the emphasis in the collection.
Conceptual Direction
GarmentGuide AI Chatbot
AI in Apparel: Unlocking Efficiency and Innovation
Leveraging AI in the apparel industry drives growth and boosts productivity by transforming how we process and utilize data. Combining tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT with apparel-specific information enables rapid, accurate support throughout product development, using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
Garment Guide Capabilities:
Instantly answers software questions (e.g., CLO3D) with step-by-step tutorials, removing the need for lengthy searches.
Consolidates large volumes of consumer feedback to inform future product improvements.
Provides detailed guides for drafting garment patterns.
Instantly resolves technical queries, such as ISO stitch numbers.
Generates pattern grading measurements quickly and accurately.
Waste Reduction
Reducing waste is central to sustainable fashion. This collection emphasizes waste reduction by using recycled textiles.
BYBORRE®, an Amsterdam-based textile innovator, advances sustainability by:
Offering a digital textile design tool for efficient designer-manufacturer collaboration, reducing samples and minimum order quantities.
Prioritizing material traceability and using single-fiber textiles for easier recycling.
Utilizing their design tool in this collection.
Circaloft™ Made from 100% recycled polyester with a non-PFC water-repellent finish, Circaloft™ is lightweight, packable, and eco-friendly.
Using Clo3D for virtual fit testing and efficient pattern nesting reduces waste by minimizing the need for physical samples and decreasing fabric offcuts.

GarmentGuide RAG LLM - How It Has Been Used
Throughout the development of the garments in this collection, GarmentGuide was used as an effective aide in the product development process. Provided examples were actually used in the development of this collection. Here is what is most effective:
GarmentGuide as a Measurement Advisor
GarmentGuide is great at predicting measurements and giving you a baseline to start at when drafting the pattern to a garment.
Prompt: “Generate a list of graded measurements for an activewear gillet with the provided measurements for a M size. Do this for sizes XS-XXXXL Men's.
Chest: 16.90" - Give me an assumption of all the other graded points necessary to create a line of this gillet for an activewear collection”

GarmentGuide

ChatGPT
GarmentGuide as a Clo3D Instructor
GarmentGuide shines as an instructor for Clo3D, providing exact measurements and what tools to use to perform certain actions.
Here is an example:
Prompt: “Can you tell me how to create a pants pattern in Clo3D?”
GarmentGuide Snippet:
Creating the Front and Back Panels
Pattern Tool: Select the Polygon Tool from the 2D Pattern Toolbar.
Draft Front Panel:
Measurements: For a standard size, use the following approximate measurements (adjust according to your specific needs):
Waist Width: 9 inches (quarter of the total waist measurement plus ease).
Hip Width: 11.5 inches (quarter of the total hip measurement plus ease).
Length: 42 inches.
Draw a rectangle and adjust the following points:
Waist to Hip: Measure down 9 inches from the waistline for the hip line.
Crotch Depth: Measure down 12 inches from the waistline for the crotch depth.
Use the Edit Curve Point Tool to shape the crotch curve and the waistline.
ChatGPT Snippet:
Draw the Basic Pants Pattern
Select the Polygon Tool from the toolbar and start drawing the front and back panels of the pants. Ensure you take accurate measurements or use a reference pattern for accuracy. Typically, you will need to draw:
Front panel
Back panel
Waistband
Pockets (optional)
As you can see, GarmentGuide provides a more in depth step-by-step process with measurements, compared with just ChatGPT.
Both are just snippets in responses, GarmentGuide continues these steps with the back panel, waistband etc. ChatGPT tells you what to do without substance or measurements.
Concept Board

Conceptually, The North Face’s collection “The Bright Freeze” takes inspiration from the profound moments of reflection and presence experienced at the summit or culmination of an outdoor adventure. This collection captures the essence of peace and relaxation, and the sense of reward one feels with achieving a goal.
Many images in the board show a moment where you can look into the distance and be proud of yourself and what you have accomplished. Nature is a place where we can do this effortlessly, whether its the park pictured in the bottom left or the top of a mountain.
Design Process


Color and Fabric

BYBORRE® 3D Knit
100% Cotton
275 GSM
BYBORRE’s 3D Knit cotton fabric is perfect for cozy garments like sweatshirts, sweatpants, and long sleeves. Its soft, breathable texture ensures comfort while matching the tactile, bold nature tones set to trend in A/W 25/26.
The vibrant orange hue captures the warmth and satisfaction of completing a hike, radiating the joy and energy felt during an outdoor adventure.
Additionally, BYBORRE’s 3D knitting technique is sustainable, significantly reducing waste by creating garments with precision and minimal excess.

TENCEL™ Twill
100% Tencel
300 GSM
Durable because of the twill construction and sustainable because of Tencel fiber content.
Matches bold nature tones of AW 25/26
Will use garment dye for collection to reduce water usage in dyeing process.
Natural madder dye for bold orange color.
Circaloft™
100% Recycled Polyester
200 GSM
Circaloft™ is lightweight and packable, perfect for adventures and exploring.
The chosen color was meant to match the craft trend of bold nature and reflect elements of the environment, such as water and the sky. This bold blue has been a staple for The North Face throughout history and reflects the brand's heritage
Fabric is made out of recycled polyester and recycled fill for sustainability.
Fabric Features a PFC-free DWR finish.

TENCEL™ Activewear
70% Tencel Lyocell - 25% Organic Cotton - 5% Elastane
250 GSM
The use of Tencel known for its eco-friendly production and minimal environmental impact makes it sustainable. The blend is perfect for activewear, offering excellent moisture-wicking properties and breathability to keep you comfortable with the combination of Tencel, cotton, and elastane.
5% elastane allow for more ease of movement.
Blue color meets the craft trend of bold nature tones.

Ripstop
100% Recycled Polyester
300 GSM
Ripstop fabric was made for durability and longevity, ensuring that garments can withstand the test of time. This particular ripstop is crafted from recycled polyester made from plastic bottles and scrap metals, making it a sustainable choice.
Ripstop’s tactile grid pattern aligns perfectly with the tactile craft trends for A/W 25/26.
Features a PFC-free DWR finish.

Polyester
100% Recycled Polyester
210 GSM
Plain weave construction for versatility in collection.
Lightweight fabric for athletic wear and comfort.
Fabric is made out of recycled polyester for sustainability.
Print and Pattern

BYBORRE® 3D Knit
Branches
For Look 1 Sweatshirt

BYBORRE® 3D Knit
Bark
For Look 1 Bottoms

BYBORRE® 3D Knit
Clouds
For look 3 Long Sleeve
Technical Flats



Conclusion
Allowing AI to be a part of the development and research of a product can be helpful. But implementing industry specific RAG LLMs can allow for more accurate responses with less hallucination. It can answer the questions asked by employees throughout the day in an instant in a quick easily digestible format. For this project it was valuable in grading patterns, small details needed on garments, specific measurements, summarization, as well as any questions related to Clo3D. The opportunities are endless for different brands to implement this technology, such as trend research, sentiment analysis, and ideation.
This collection is a success in terms of reducing waste. It's more crucial than ever for designers to consider this in every project they work on. With technology advancing, it's important to use it in a way to reduce the carbon footprint. By investing in recycled fabrics and learning more about how to create a circular economy, success can be achieved. In this collection, BYBORRE’s textiles, Circaloft®, TENCEL™, and other recycled fabrics were used. Garments were created with one fiber and fewer trims for easier recyclability. Using Clo3D for patterning and fit testing reduces the quantity of sample garments. By being conscious of the development of products diverting fabric from landfills and using them in collections we can reduce fabric waste.
This collection resides in the reflection of the now, and in the future of the North Face which is a blend of heritage and technological advancements. By implementing bold classic hues, strategic logo placements, sustainable practices, innovative fabrics, and drawing inspiration from archival garments, I have created a collection that looks toward the future while honoring The North Face's ethos of never stopping exploring.

Sources
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