Faced with an embarrassment of choice, we have made ours. Here are the four transversal collaborations that rekindle the trend of creative sharing between luxury brands and casual, sporty brands. Because Christmas is approaching and shopping must be stimulated with new, exclusive, extraordinary projects
There are some things that never go out of fashion. If anything, they remain under the radar at certain times, only to come back into sharp focus at others. This is one of those times when collaborations between brands and various brands emerge and multiply. Accomplice, probably, to the imminent Christmas shopping season, new and interesting ones have arrived in recent weeks. The most popular product category is undoubtedly footwear, which confirms itself as a meeting point between the worlds of sport and luxury.
Of the many, we have selected four.
Christmas approaches, collaborations multiply
Balenciaga for Adidas
In addition to almost simultaneously severing ties with Kanye West, Adidas and Balenciaga launched their long-awaited collaboration six months after its debut during the French label’s Spring-Summer 2023 show. Lots of goodies: from the plush leather bag to Stan Smiths that feature half-worn uppers similar to Balenciaga’s intentionally worn Paris trainers. Not to mention the Pantashoes: trouser-suits incorporating shoes with heels.
Dr. Martens for Rick Owens
This is the second time Dr. Martens has turned to Rick Owens. The American designer revisited Dr. Martens’ iconic 8-eyelet 1460 boot and the taller 1918 model (18 eyelets) by adding a more extended, thicker tongue, obvious side zips, and oversized laces that wrap around the leg. The 1460 is finished in black leather and extra large matt silver eyelets. The 1918 features a hair-on leather, platinum blond dye, matt silver eyelets, and hook-and-eye trim. On the Dr. Martens website, the collection is sold out.
Off-White for Church’s
This is the third collaboration between Off-White and Church’s. It consists of two proposals. The classic Shannon Cut Lines derby takes up the original model created in 1970 and is made of shiny black leather with contrasting hand stitching with white thread. The design features iconic Off-White details such as the laces with lettering and the leather Zip Tie tag. The second model is the Burwood Foam, a calfskin brogue that reinvents the classic Oxford. This collaboration is a chunky version with a thick foam-effect rubber sole and fuchsia laces.
Maison Margiela for Reebok
Maison Margiela and Reebok release the new Classic Leather & Club C trainers as another instalment in the ‘Memory Of’ series. A series that sees the French luxury Maison deconstruct the sportswear brand’s classic silhouettes. These follow in the footsteps of last March’s collaboration. They feature rough design details that make them look as if they are still going through a work-in-progress phase while waiting for the OK before production.
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