The Most Hyped Fashion Colabs of 2020
The ongoing mashup between sneakers and fashion is hitting a fever pitch in 2020. From GEL-Kiril to Lotta Volkova’s , there’s been plenty to get excited about this year. Meanwhile, there’s also been some high-profile, bank-breaking releases that landed with a thud. Let's take a look at some of the most interesting fashion collaborations of 2020!
Off-White x Air Jordan 5 'Muslin'
flawless homage to the vault has continued in 2020, with the x ‘Muslin’ once again fuelling Tinker Hatfield’s conceptual masterpiece.
A subtle nod to the original colourway, Virgil’s 30th anniversary remaster proves the silhouette is still an absolute weapon, with the colourway routinely reselling for $700.
Retaining the idiosyncratic 3M reflective tongues and faux-faded yellow outsoles, the Off-White x AJ5 is a modern interpretation of one of our most visceral Jordan memories.
Craig Green x adidas Polta AKH I
One of the most lauded contemporary designers in British fashion, came through with an amphibian Polta AKH I back in July.
Green’s fusion of the and Samba articulates a gold standard in experimentation and eco-friendly footwear, complete with so-called ‘ghost layers’ built to resemble skin.
But, really, is it even possible to butcher a design with a Kamanda sole?!
Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS GEL-Kiril
Kiko Kostadinov continues his incredible run with ASICS in 2020, the Bulgarian designer perhaps releasing his most expressive silhouette yet with the ASICS GEL-Kiril.
Originally unveiled in Paris, the design is an expert mashup of retro sportswear aesthetics and contemporary materials, emphasised by glossy diamond patterning and FlyteFoam midsoles.
Constantly creating his own footwear paradigm, Kiko’s ventures with ASICS are on an entirely different wavelength.
Ride it.
Lotta Volkova x adidas SL 72
A Russian-born designer known for her effortless fusion of fashion and sportswear, Lotta Volkova has been routinely delivering bombs for Vetements and Balenciaga.
Her latest collaboration for adidas, the SL 72, is a case in point.
Digging deep into adi’s 1970s archive, Volkova’s minimalist masterpiece embodies the characteristics of the fashion maverick. Two subtle colourways are easily paired with any outfit.
Want to take it nuclear? Try lacing them with Volkova’s corresponding aristocratic tracksuits!
Dior x Air Jordan 1
A superlative collaboration between high fashion and streetwear, the x is undoubtedly the most of 2020.
Manufactured in Italy with Dior’s inimitable hand-painted grey leather, the ‘Diordan’ was Kim Jones’ scrupulous love letter to the Air Jordan 1.
The AJ1’s first true luxury linkup in its storied 35-year history, the Dior collaboration induced the kind of hand-trembling hype usually reserved for Virgil Abloh and the freewheeling JACKBOYS.
An eye-watering five million people boarded the train to enter the raffle – that’s roughly the population of Singapore!
The ultimate crescendo between high fashion and sneakers, the Dior x Air Jordan 1 sets a new benchmark for luxury sneakers.
Feng Chen Wang x Converse Jack Purcell
Chinese designer continues to turn heads in the sneakersphere, and her Converse Jack Purcell is another unadulterated home run.
Reconstructing the contours of the Purcell, Wang’s elaborate layering and material diversity show off more than meets the eye.
‘What you see [in the Jack Purcell] isn’t a pattern, but actually a graphic,’ Wang ‘This graphic came out from my name in Chinese characters. People might see that as a pattern, but it’s actually a graphic.’
Constantly reframing what’s achievable with footwear design, expect Feng Chen Wang to make even more noise this year!
Prada x adidas Superstar
Thinking 2020 colabs, we couldn’t help but think of others that didn’t quit hit the mark. Let’s be honest, the adidas Superstar deserved more for its 50th anniversary.
Yes, each sneaker was painstakingly manufactured by more than 100 hand-guided steps with famous Spazzolato Rois full-grain leather. But ultimately, the result was little more than a luxe logo slapped on the side of a Superstar.
It’s a far cry from adi’s phenomenal celebration 15 years prior. Now belonging to a kind of sneaker lore, the Three Stripes unleashed a nuclear collection consisting of 35 models (number 1 of course being a tribute to Adi Dassler), each illuminating a chapter in the silhouette’s enduring story.
Subtle masterpiece or uninspired snoozefest?
Sound off on our socials to let us know what you think!
Jaden Smith x New Balance Vision Racer
Another high-profile collaboration that didn't quite deliver, the once unstoppable chunky sneaker ground to a halt in 2020 – but no one told Jaden Smith.
The Jaden Smith x Vision Racer features perhaps the most anachronistically gargantuan sole of 2020. It's not the worst silhouette this year, but it's about three years too late.
Stick to the silver screen, Jay.
Comme des Garçons x Nike Waffle Racer
While we’re huge fans of , but the colab just didn’t quite sit right.
The Japanese streetwear stalwarts have been on fire lately – think the and – so we’ll count this as an aberration for now.
Still, we’d be happy to be proven wrong.
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