It is no secret that we love a good collab.
Whether it’s a high-end brand trying to stay relevant or a designer coming up with some rocking kicks, the fashion industry is big on collaboration.
Streetwear collaborations, in particular, have become increasingly popular over the years, with brands teaming up with other companies and designers to create limited-edition collections highly sought after by fashion enthusiasts worldwide (which is how the re-seller game began, grr).
Two brands' coming together in partnership expands their reach and allows them to tap into new markets while providing us (the customer) with unique and innovative fashion options that often blend different styles and aesthetics.
One of the most successful collaborations TILL THIS DAY has been between Nike and Off-White, the fashion label founded by Virgil Abloh. The two brands have worked together on several limited-edition sneakers, including the coveted Air Jordan 1 "Chicago" from 2017. These sneakers feature a deconstructed design that incorporates elements of Nike and Off-White's signature styles, making them a must-have for sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts.
Another notable collaboration between the streetwear brand Supreme and luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton combines high-end craftsmanship with bold graphics and streetwear sensibility. The collection, released in 2017, was highly anticipated and sold out quickly, cementing the collaboration as a significant success. There was talk on the streets this duo was to collab again in 2022, but we have yet to see this rumour come to fruition.
Adidas has also been involved in successful collaborations with the streetwear brand Palace. The two brands have released several collections of clothing and sneakers that blend Adidas' sportswear expertise with Palace's irreverent and playful aesthetic. One of the most notable items from the collaboration was the Palace x Adidas "Ultimate" football kit, which was worn by the London-based football club Crystal Palace during the 2018/2019 season.
Other successful collaborations in the streetwear world include Kith x Coca-Cola, BAPE x Undefeated, and Fear of God x PacSun. These collaborations demonstrate the power of combining different styles and aesthetics to create something new and exciting that appeals to literally everyone with a sense of fashion.
Streetwear collaborations help push the boundaries of what is "fashionable". They have challenged traditional notions of luxury and high-end design, blurring the lines between high-end and streetwear fashion and creating a more diverse and inclusive fashion landscape.
As the popularity of streetwear continues to grow, we can expect to see even more innovative collaborations.