Streetwear has made its way from underground subcultures to a worldwide fashion phenomenon, and undeniably one of the main driving elements for growth is collaboration. Over the years, streetwear brands, high-fashion houses, artists, and iconic pop culture figures have been in collaboration, pushing boundaries by creating limited-edition drops that combined creativity with exclusivity and bold design. In this blog, we explore some of the most influential streetwear collaborations that helped shape the industry and redefine fashion.
1. Supreme x Louis Vuitton - 2017
Undoubtedly one of the most iconic streetwear collaborations, the 2017 Supreme x Louis Vuitton collection was monumental in terms of how it joined high-fashion and street culture while blurring the lines between them. The unlikely union of skate brand Supreme with that of the luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton sent shockwaves around the world, and the collaboration was an instant sellout. It featured a wide range of products-be they clothing, accessories, or even skate decks-all with Supreme's bold red branding entwined with Louis Vuitton's classic monogram.
This collaboration flipped a page for both the streetwear and luxury worlds. It legitimized streetwear in the eyes of high fashion, and Louis Vuitton could tap into a much younger, more urban audience. Since then, this collaboration opened doors to many other luxury brands embracing streetwear influences, finding middle ground between the two worlds that once seemed separate.
2. Nike x Off-White (The Ten)
When Virgil Abloh and Nike teamed together to create "The Ten" collection, it launched in 2017 as an instant one of the most popular sneaker collaborations ever. Abloh-who founded the high-end streetwear label Off-White before becoming the artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear line-reimagined ten of Nike's most iconic silhouettes.
With its deconstructed design aesthetic, full of exposed stitching, handwriting, and industrial details à la zip ties, the classic sneakers became works of art. It helped this not only solidify Virgil Abloh as a visionary designer but also how powerful creative reinterpretation can be within streetwear. "The Ten" was the cultural touchstone, and many from this collection have gone on to become grails that further cement Abloh's legacy in the sneaker world.
3. Adidas x Kanye West (Yeezy)
Undoubtedly one of the most influential partnerships in modern streetwear, that between Adidas and Kanye West instantly shot to the top when the full-on line of sneakers and apparel was launched as the epitome of hype and exclusivity upon the announcement of the collaboration in 2015. The Yeezy Boost 350 model was more particularly revolutionary to the sneaker design landscape with its sleek silhouette, innovative materials, and signature Boost technology.
Mix Kanye's power with Adidas' commitment to innovation, and the sneaker empire that changed the footwear landscape was born. The Yeezy brand has made its mark well beyond sneakers-the apparel line driven by Kanye has also pushed the limits of minimalist, oversized streetwear. The collaboration elevated Adidas' standing in the world of sneakers and called for other brands to pursue more artist-driven collaborations.
4. KAWS x Uniqlo
The famous street artist KAWS has been driving the intersection of art and streetwear, making a couple of his notable artwork accessible to the people with the collaboration with Uniqlo. With a reputation for being loud and proud, his use of color paired with his iconic Companion character made the 2019 linkup with Uniqlo produce a collection of graphic tees and accessories affordable but highly coveted.
Success for the KAWS x Uniqlo collection underlines increasing demand for more accessible streetwear collaborations. While many of the high-profile collaborations carry astronomical price tags, this collaborative effort allowed fans of KAWS's art to have a piece of his work without breaking the bank. It also put a finger on the pulse of the role of art in streetwear, showing just how imaginatively creative elements can be ushered into the world of fashion through collaboration.
5. Fear of God x Nike
Jerry Lorenzo's Fear of God has become synonymous with high-end streetwear, a perfect combination of minimal approach and superior quality materials. In 2018, Lorenzo collaborated with Nike to create the Fear of God 1, a performance basketball shoe that seamlessly segued from sport to fashion. The silhouette of the high-top and in-your-face branding speak to Lorenzo's vision: to make elevated streetwear pieces wearable both on and off the court.
The partnership of Fear of God and Nike only sealed the impact of Jerry Lorenzo in streetwear and how performance gear was to find its place within fashion. This collaboration also showed that streetwear could be both functional and fashionable, appealing to sneakerheads and athletes alike.
7. Travis Scott x Nike
This has made the rapper Travis Scott-one of the most influential hip-hop fashion icons-one of the most frequent, yet successful, collaborators with Nike. Ever since the Air Jordan 4 "Cactus Jack" dropped in 2018, Scott's collaborations had sold out time and again. His unique approach to sneaker design includes minute details, reverse swooshes, and unexpected color combinations.
Travis Scott's contribution to sneaker culture goes without saying. His Nike colabs have always created high demand and, in turn, driven resale prices through the roof while continuing to cement his position as a tastemaker in both the music and fashion industries. The repeated success of the collaborations also attested to the power of celebrity endorsement in streetwear-a segment where the artists can be just as influential as the traditional designer.
The Wrap-Up
The important game-changer for fashion, combining cultures, redefining style, and pushing boundaries, is streetwear collaborations. From high-end partnerships to artist-driven collections, the collaborations have turned streetwear into a global movement influencing high fashion down to everyday style.
Here at Im Your Wardrobe the awareness of such collaborations in trendsetting and aesthetic-setting in streetwear is profound. For that, we have an exclusive marketplace featuring iconic sneakers and pieces that make up streetwear collections, including even the most highly referenced sneaker collaborations in the industry. Take a look around our always-updating collections.
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