Highlander Podcast Lee Turlington - Former VP @ The North Face / FILA - General Manager @ NIKE - VP Patagonia - Chief Product Officer - Canada Goose and more! | History of Gear
Aug 7, 2025
Lee Turlington, former VP at The North Face and Patagonia, dives into his remarkable career in the outdoor industry. He shares fascinating stories about early collaborations with Apple and the cultural ties between outdoor brands and movements like the Grateful Dead. Turlington explores innovations like the geodesic dome and the evolution of the North Face Purple Label. He also discusses the art of storytelling in design, highlighting the importance of collaborations and relationships in shaping a legacy in outdoor gear.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Music To Materials At The North Face
- Lee pivoted from pursuing a music career to working at The North Face after meeting Jim Carrey in a department store.
- He started as a materials analyst and learned manufacturing by counting every part down to the last snap.
Collaborations Are Part Of Brand Culture
- Lee sees collaborations as part of outdoor brands' long-standing cultural connections, even if controversial.
- He notes authenticity matters, but cross-cultural partnerships can still be meaningful when product quality aligns.
North Face × Apple Co-Branded Vests
- Lee sold co-branded North Face down vests with the Apple logo to Apple when Steve Jobs ran the company.
- Those vests were embroidered in Berkeley and were sold through an employee Apple store.