The North Face, once a symbol of mountaineering integrity and outdoor endurance, is now inundated with designer collaborations. While these drops generate buzz and sales, critics argue the brand risks eroding its core values — turning from a rugged performance icon into a transient fashion label chasing hype over heritage.   The North Face was once synonymous with the uncompromising grit of high-altitude expeditions, a brand whose logo carried the weight of mountaineering credibility and the romance of extreme outdoor culture. But in recent years, the iconic half-dome has appeared in places far removed from the icy ledges and wind-beaten peaks that built its legacy. Gucci runways, SKIMS capsules, Aimé Leon Dore drops, MM6 by Maison Margiela reinterpretations, Junya Watanabe...