A visual reminder of the most successful luxury collaborations of the last 12 months, from high fashion and sports labels to collectible stylish pieces reminiscent of the zeitgeist
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Not entirely limited by the sudden emergence of the global health crisis last year, the ever-adaptable worlds of fashion and beauty find solace in chic pairings, with beloved brands teaming up to produce incredible wearable pieces of art. Unlikely pairings might not be entirely new in fashion, but the real story here is that human creativity remains irrepressible despite our collective deus ex machina by way of COVID. We remember these intimate yet highly successful affairs and look forward to more breathtaking collaborations this year.
RICK OWENS X MONCLER
Ever expressive in dark shades and goth allure, Rick Owens’ recognizable and widely lauded sense of style eventually landed a collaboration with Italian luxury skiwear brand Moncler. Along with his wife Michèle Lamy, Ownes created an impressive set of garments padded, puffed up, quilted, laminated, and matted among several other ways.
PAT MCGRATH LABS X SUPREME
One of the biggest surprises of 2020 was the announcement of a lipstick collaboration between British makeup artist Pat McGrath and NYC skate label Supreme: a MatteTrance lipstick in a shade of red called, well, Supreme. This lipstick marks Supreme’s first foray into beauty in nearly three decades of existence.
LOUIS VUITTON X NBA
A three-part capsule collection, this collaboration showcases a seamless marriage of sportswear design with the opulent heritage of the Virgil Abloh-led fashion house. It highlights the elite sportsman’s journey through hoodies, joggers, windbreakers, and even monogrammed luggage.
DIOR X NIKE AIR JORDAN 1
Made in Italian leather and hushed tones of gray and white, designer Kim Jones’ fresh take on the iconic sneaker merges the style philosophies of streetwear and the luxe appeal of a decades-old French fashion house.
GUCCI X NORTH FACE
In a year of exceptional fashion collaborations, none was more so talked about than this team up that brought high fashion to the great outdoors. Inspired by the “spirit of exploration,” Gucci and North Face’s apparel celebrates history and heritage through puffer jackets and nylon skirts.
PRADA X ADIDAS
A sequel to the first all-white Prada Superstar, this collaboration features a triad of color options this time around: a monochrome black version, a classic white with black trimming, and a chrome silver and white edition. Made in Italy, each pair from the limited collection employs Prada’s full-grain leather and Adidas Originals’ rubber shell toe.
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA X FEAR OF GOD
With 39 looks that include shoes and accessories, the menswear collaboration of Ermenegildo Zegna and Fear of God is a palpable duality that evoke their LA and Milan roots. The collection boasts chic essentials that transcend easily from daywear to evening wear, producing collarless cashmere suits, drawstring trousers, and silk tracksuits.
FUTURA X COMME DES GARÇONS
Debuting in January of last year, Comme des Garçons founder Rei Kawakubo fuses her label’s collage-like aesthetics with the graffiti-inspired prints of New York-based artist Futura 2000. Two coach jackets, two long-sleeve shirts, four T-shirts, and four bags round up the 12-piece collection.
VIRGIL ABLOH X NIGO FOR LOUIS VUITTON
For last year’s installation of the LV2 collection, Abloh paired up with Japanese artist and fashion designer Nigo. The sophomore launch of its menswear line celebrates LV’s traditional cues while seamlessly fusing their brand identities.
GUCCI X DORAEMON
To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Italian fashion partnered with everyone’s favorite time-traveling cat. The limited line also honors the beloved manga and anime character’s 50th anniversary, as seen in scarves, watches, and wool sweaters.
OFF-WHITE X NIKE
Abloh is proving to be one of the kings of collab. Continuing the legacy of an iconic collaboration, the O-White Air Jordan 5, with its deconstructed details, pushes a step further. With a cream facade and a reflective silver tongue, it also features the red “23” branding by the heel.
This story can be found in Volume 1 of Lifestyle Asia 2021.
