A lapel pin on Alex Honnold’s tuxedo made by The North Face: “Walls Are Meant For Climbing.” Image: LA Times/Twitter
It’s always annoyingly clear what the name of the fashion game is in this outdoors/surf/athlete culture: dress as if you care less about how you look than the guy standing next to you, who is simultaneously trying very hard to care even less than you. Nothing could be further to the contrary of this attitude than the Academy Awards, where it takes an actual team of people to dress every grown adult who walks down the red carpet, even for a guy like Alex Honnold.
Personally, I say nothing beats a classic look for guys when it comes to formal wear. Black and white aren’t boring if it actually fits the man wearing it all, and so that’s just how the Free Solo star was dressed for his first trip to the Oscars. His tux, topped off with a pin that said “Walls Are Meant For Climbing,” was custom designed for him by The North Face, the same sponsor that makes his coats and hoodies. The single-button penguin suit was designed by TNF design manager, Mona Al-Shaalan as an extension of the brand’s Black Series lifestyle line. But for anybody thinking they’re going to start attending weddings and fancy fundraisers in North Face tuxes, Honnold’s suit was apparently just a one-off.
“I really value Alex as an athlete and his personal achievements. It’s an honor to be nominated to work on his first ever tuxedo. The fact that this design is in line with our brands premium lifestyle vision is energizing. It’s definitely a passion project for me,” Al-Shaalan said.
There’s a first time for everything. Free soloing El Cap. @AlexHonnold owning his first suit. Our designers have crafted a one-of-a-kind The North Face® Black Series™ Custom Tuxedo that he’ll be sporting on the red carpet. Photo by Nate Hoffman #neverstopexploring pic.twitter.com/22VH8USFQ9
— The North Face (@thenorthface) February 24, 2019
