From Vivienne Westwood and ASICS to Comme Des Garçons and Nike, these eight team ups are something to obsess over
Why are people so obsessed with sneakers? It’s no different with how the world’s designer bags or watches, in that it’s intense, highly-competitive, and very addictive. Though, in comparison, never have I seen this much innovation and collaboration, and these many launches. These pairs are definitely something you will wear with pride.
Here are the top shoe collaborations worthy of collecting and obsessing about:
Martin Margiela x Reebok
I’m not too familiar with Reebok, or their customer-base. Well, with the collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela, I personally think it made English-American sporting brand 1,000 times cooler. Its Classic Leather Tabi and the Club C were recently launched colors in vivid red and stately gray. Both are constructed of supple leather and feature the signature Tabi toe and a sizable co-branded badge.
Off__white x Nike Airforce 1
This collaboration has had many releases, and remains highly anticipated among shoe enthusiasts. The latest one will be in a “University Gold” colorway. It features all the signature trimmings from metallic Swoosh, “AIR” in Helvetica font, with usual quotation marks that is very Off_White. Expect this to release around July.
Vivenne Westwood x ASICS
I never thought that Vivenne Westwood would also ride the sneaker wave. The result of the label’s team up with ASICS is the GEL-KAYANO 27. Design-wise, Westwood’s modern punk aesthetic and hip hues are alive in this collaborated-on pair. This is good for the Japanese brand as both adidas and Nike have been quite active in style transformations and innovations. It’s high time to reinvigorate this brand and pump up its aesthetics.
Sacai x Nike
Cute, young and hip, this collaboration is something that will steal your attention. Nike continues its lucrative sneaker collaboration streak with Sacai featuring “Magma Orange” and “Classic Green.” This pair, with its bold and striking colors, make for a great addition to your summer rotation.
Bape x New Balance
Luxury streetwear brand Bape and New Balance recently announced their first collection together. “Apes Together Strong” goes beyond sneakers and features an 11-piece offering. The offering mixes Bape’s iconic patterns and prints with New Balance’s functional running heritage. The collab will first debut in the Greater China Region (China, Taiwan, HongKong) on June 5. The global release will be later in the year.
Rick Owens x Converse
I’m a fan of Rick Owens, and I never imagine that this brand will collab with Converse. Rick Owens DRKSHDW x Converse Turbodrk Chuck 70 will be launched in its Fall 2021 runway. It’s a fusion between Rich Owens’ Ramone sneaker and the timeless Chuck Taylor 70. This is the first time, in its century of existence, that we will see Converse changed from rounded-toe to a square-toe.
Undercover Lab x Sacai Official x Nike
Talk about a triple collaboration. I particularly love the extended heel tab that features co-branded detailing. Overall, the design looks chic and fresh with the bright citron accents and its distinctive sole LDWaffle. The base is nylon that services as the canvas for a duo of Swooshes, double-stacked tongues, eyestays and laces and layered mudguards. No release date yet but most likely it will be in the fall.
Comme Des Garçons x Nike
CDG wasn’t spared from this wave of shoe collaborations. CDG Homme Plus and Nike Air Carnivore came up with a high-top in a very CDG fashion in a 90s silhouette. It appears in two-tonal colorways of white and black. The white pair incorporates reflective 3M elements while each iteration features contrasting CDG Homme plus branding on the heel
