Fashion
10 Best Fashion Collaborations of All Time
If there's one defining fashion trend in 2014, it's this: You can never go wrong with a collaboration. Like a good cronut, women are looking for the perfect blend of two longtime faves — and designers are quick to jump on board.
This year has already seen countless of partnerships (think Kate Moss for Topshop, or Saucony and Madewell), but there are even more in the works, whether it be runway designers teaming up with stores for more affordable lines, or celebrities lending their eye to wear-everywhere clothes for top brands. Take a look back at some of the best collabs ever to hit stores — and the ones we can't wait to binge-shop this year. The styles may be different, but they're all proof of one thing: Sometimes, two really can be better than one.
Written by Ashley Mateo
This article is sponsored by Madewell.
Image: Madewell
Target x Alexander McQueen
It wasn’t the first time Target teamed up with a high-fashion designer (that would have been Isaac Mizrahi’s capsule collection), but this was the collaboration that really launched the high-low partnership paradigm. In 2009, Alexander McQueen created a line including jackets, dresses, and bathing suits, at a price that gave most of us our first opportunity to have his name in our closet. And, after he signed on to Target’s Designer Collaborations program, partnerships with Anna Sui, Jean Paul Gaultier, Missoni, and Jason Wu followed — and for that, we’re all grateful.
Photo: Target
Saucony x Madewell
There are sneakers for working out, and there are sneakers for looking fly on the street. It’s a special feat when one brand can nail both — but, trust iconic footwear brand Saucony to knock it out of the park. In its new collaboration with Madewell, Saucony is offering their retro-inspired kicks in a whole new palette of fall colors exclusive to the retailer, including rusted burgundy, muted shell, and olive grove. Even better: These new neutrals go with literally everything Madewell has to offer.
Image: Madewell
DKNY x Cara Delevingne
If there’s anyone we really envy when it comes to street style, it would be ubiquitous British model Cara Delevingne. So, it makes total sense that she’d work with edgy brand DKNY. Their collaboration, which launched October 15, includes crop tops, jumpsuits, T-shirts, beanies, and funky jackets — all of which we’ve regularly spotted on the Delevingne’s Instagram. “It was an organic process and it made sense. DKNY is urban and edgy but most of all, it’s individual! They truly embrace the weirdness in all of us, so you can really be yourself,” the model has said.
Image: DKNY
Louis Vuitton x Kanye West
Remember when Kanye West was just a college dropout? Way back in 2009, the not-so-secret sneakerhead’s obsession with Louis Vuitton reached its peak when Kanye got to team up with shoe director Fabrizio Viti for a line of super extravagant sneakers (I pity the person who actually wore them for activities that require sneakers). The cool factor didn’t stop there: Each model was named for a member of Kanye’s crew: The Don, The Jasper, and The Mr. Hudson. The partnership may be over, but Kanye’s got bonafide fashion cred now — and a wife he can dress up in the finest haute couture.
Photo: Louis Vuitton
Topshop x Beyoncé
Bow down for Queen Bey — the hardest-working woman in the music biz is launching an athletic and fitness streetwear collection called Parkwood Topshop Athletic Ltd. with British retailer Topshop. Lest you think this is just Beyoncé lending her name to another company’s handiwork, Bey and Topshop will each own half of the standalone brand. Together, they’ll design clothing, shoes, and accessories for dance, fitness, and sports, to be sold in stores and online starting fall of 2015. The most important question: Will wearing these pieces bring us any closer to getting Beyoncé’s bod?
Photo: Beyonce/Tumblr
Narciso Rodriquez x Kohl's
Target isn’t the only retail giant to get in on the partnership game — over the years, Kohl’s has been quietly churning out awesome collaborations, too. Like its collection with Narciso Rodriguez, a line of color-blocked dresses, pants, and sweaters in Rodriguez’ distinctly minimalist aesthetic. He was the first to participate in the store’s DesigNation collaboration series; Peter Som, Derek Lam, Catherine Malandrino, and Milly have all followed suit.
Photo: Kohl’s
Sophia Amoruso x MAC
OK, this isn’t exactly a fashion collab, but considering how stylish everything NastyGal’s Sophia Amoruso does is, it totally counts. The ultimate #GirlBoss is teaming up with MAC for a line that includes three lipsticks and one nail lacquer, hitting stores December 4.
The ’90s vibe is unmistakable (as it is with most of NastyGal’s sartorial offerings), thanks to a dark palette of bombshell red, deep purple, and burgundy. They’re the perfect power colors to channel your inner #GirlBoss heading into the new year — after all, we could all use a little of Amoruso’s style savvy in our own lives.
Photo: NastyGal
Madonna x Macys
You’re probably more familiar with Madonna’s more recent partnership with Macy’s — that would be her Material Girl line, with campaigns starring Taylor Momsen, Kelly Osbourne, and Georgia Jagger. But, way back when she was first making a splash in the music scene in 1985, she teamed up with Macy’s in New York for a whole in-store experience called Madonnaland.
It was meant to promote her Radio City Music Hall concerts as part of The Virgin Tour, and sold clothing and jewelry emulating Madonna’s now-iconic style. Now there’s an event we wish we could have gone to.
Photo: Material Girl
Keith Haring x Patricia Field
Keith Haring: One of the most iconic New York City artists of recent years. Patricia Field: the costume designer who changed the way we think about fashion on Sex & the City.
Makes sense that when these two teamed up, it’d be out of this world. It was a posthumous collaboration on Harings’ part, but when his art was resurrected by Fieldings for the “Keith Haring by the House of Field Paradise Garage Collection,” the New York scene collectively lost its mind.
Image: Patricia Field
Alexander Wang x H&M
Has an H&M collaboration ever been so anticipated? Alexander Wang launched his sporty collection for the retail giant with a lookbook starring none other than “It” models Joan Smalls, Raquel Zimmermann, Isabeli Fontana, and Natasha Poly — plus star athletes soccer player Andy Carroll and kickboxer Rivaldo dos Santos. The line itself is full of tough-looking mesh, leather, and neoprene, and comes only in shades of black.
It’s practically made for tough women who feel ready to conquer the world — and just need the right outfit to do so. Here’s hoping we get paid before the November 6 release date….
Photo: WWD
