The North Face has partnered with the Yves Klein Archive for a bespoke collection of apparel for an ultramarathon in France.
The Summit Series x International Klein Blue collaboration features items designed for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, an ultra-distance running event that spans 171 kilometers (106 miles) and 10,000 meters (6.2 miles) of positive elevation gain through Italy, Switzerland, and France.
A press release from the North Face stated that “each piece of apparel has been specifically designed to meet the needs of trail runners at UTMB with a focus on the mandatory kit for the event,” and that the collection was “emblazoned with legacy from the fabric to the aesthetic.”
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International Klein Blue, known more familiarly as IKB, came about after Klein sought to retain the intense color of raw blue pigment, which vanished when it was mixed with oil or other conventional mediums. After an industrial chemist suggested an artificial resin, Klein patented the combination of blue pigment and invisible binder under the IKB name in 1954.
The North Face performance items for men and women incorporating IKB include a trail running shoe, a breathable waterproof jacket ($300), shorts ($85), hats ($40), a lightweight, moisture-wicking long-sleeved trail running shirt ($110), and a duffel bag ($129). The shoes, shorts, and duffel bag feature a paint-drip motif.
The Summit Series x IKB items are available for purchase on the North Face’s website and in select retail stores starting August 20.