JOURNAL
nanamica
ASPHALT & GREEN RECORD vol.8
「The Start of Winter, and the Story of Four with a Quilting Parka」
From the heat of midsummer, the seasons seem to have skipped autumn altogether and winter is already here. With little time to gradually change wardrobes, the one thing you’ll want ready is a warm outer layer, like the “Quilting Field Mountain Parka.” This piece reinterprets THE NORTH FACE Purple Label’s classic Mountain Parka in a quilted design. It offers a fresh mood distinct from the standard model and adds versatility to your styling lineup.
Oshiro, a second-year middle school student, wears the “Quilting Field Mountain Parka,” which features four flap pockets. While inheriting the design lineage of the classic 65/35 Mountain Parka, this version is cut about half a size larger to allow for layering underneath. The roomy body and armholes make it easy to wear over a knit or even a sweatshirt. Made from a three-layer quilted fabric without lining, it stays light and comfortably airy as if filled with soft air, no matter how much you move. Oshiro says he’s grown 10 centimeters this past year, so while it’s a little big on him now, it’ll likely be a perfect fit by next year.
Illustrator Okataoka, who is based in Kagoshima, made a quick trip to Tokyo to see his friend Yachiyo Katsuyama’s solo exhibition. No matter how far it is, he always finds time to visit friends’ shows and uses items they’ve created, like charms and handkerchiefs. It’s gestures like these that quietly reveal why he’s so loved by everyone around him. The cape-style “Quilting Field Mountain Cape” he’s wearing can become both an outer layer and a blanket, depending on how you use it. Though a large quilted cape might sound a bit intimidating, the asphalt gray — a classic color of THE NORTH FACE Purple Label — blends naturally into everyday wear. The original quilt stitching, inspired by American patchwork patterns, adds a charming touch.
For editor Takuro, days fly by in a blur of interviews and exhibition visits. That’s why his days off are precious moments to let time flow at its own pace. His favorite spot, Eifuku Shokudo, offers natural wine and Italian dishes in a cozy setting that feels like a small European café. Even as the weather turns chilly, he likes to sit at his favorite terrace seat wearing the “Quilting Field Mountain Parka.” The cool breeze against his gently warmed, wine-flushed skin feels just right. The “Field Snood” doubles as a scarf, adding both warmth and versatility.
The vintage shop where Shuho works is a little different — it still stays open until 11 p.m., just like the old days when you could drop by for a browse after a drink. Around this time of year, when the evenings quickly turn chilly, the items you can really rely on are those quilted with insulation. They use PRIMALOFT® Black Insulation, which provides excellent warmth and lightness — not overly technical, yet reliably warm despite the lightweight feel. Layering the “Field Snood” like a hood and wrapping the “Quilting Field Mountain Cape” around his waist as a skirt, his cold-weather hacks have naturally become part of his personal style.
