Our Kind of Dream Teams

Teamwork makes the dream work — especially in the fashion world! Forming friendships with sports, pop culture and magical childhood memories, these stylish collaborations are matches made in heaven. Maybe not quite at the relationship style level of “Kimye” (RIP), these coupled-up brands still have an undeniable fascination. Let’s see what made these collabs so special…

Balmain x Barbie

We’ve already noted how pink was one of the hottest trending colors this year. This reigning queen of the color world had her #bestlife moment with the Balmain x Barbie collaboration. Was there really anyone better suited to capturing the magic of Barbie than Olivier Rousteing, the creative director of Balmain (who has been bringing every fashion-obsessed girl’s —and guy’s—dreams to life every season!) The 50-piece collection featured the yummiest shades of pink such as bubble gum, strawberry sundae and magenta raspberry.

While accents of the Malibu beach—from summer sky blue to sun-kissed blonde and puff-cloud white—perfectly complemented the collection’s 90s-style sweats, there is no doubt that pink was the star color. In deep pink shades, the brand’s signature tweed suits with big, brass buttons became the perfect outfit for bossgirl-Barbie. The fun didn’t end with just clothing either! After all, what doll doesn’t have a second closet reserved for accessories? So, a doll’s box as a purse? Why not! What about Barbie’s iconic bubbly, airbrushed font? Transformed into chunky plastic jewelry, of course! Now IS the time to get all dolled-up! (Guys, don’t feel left out– Balmain designed a closet for Ken too!)

 

North Face x Gucci

It might be 90s degrees out, but it’s never too early to get prepped for fall (aka: the best fashion season), is it? North Face x Gucci defines a new luxe adventure-wear style. These titans of their fashion-verses joined forces in 2021 with the release of Part One: “Expedition Remastered,” a collection that looked to the 70s for inspiration. The duo’s follow-up collection, Part Two: “Expedition Remixed,” pushes its way forward by drawing upon 90s sports style. With mountain-sized puffers and “National Park”-landscaped camo, we’re going to dub this collab “Trekker Better.”

Stella McCartney x Disney

If you’re longing for a whimsical, psychedelic dive into Fantasia, then you need something from the Stella McCartney x Disney collaboration! This unisex collection is a melting kaleidoscope of colors and styles. Discover “archive-worthy” silk pants, tunics and capes printed with vintage posters of this melodious masterpiece. The more streetwear styles are just as special: Sorcerer Mickey appears on acid-washed denim and magical critters traipse across graphic tees. Who can resist this style spell?

Balenciaga x Crocs

This might be the most unexpected enduring fashion partnership! Who would’ve thought the most sought-after brand would pair with the rubbery clog that only existed as play-proof, washable children’s footwear (or worn by people who were just too lazy to care about their footwear decisions)? The poor croc had been deemed as footwear that should never be worn in public.

Now that same shoe is strutting down the runways of Paris and selling out everywhere, thanks to Balenciaga! This duo first teamed up in 2018 with the mile-high platform clog that took the fashion world by storm. Since then, we’ve gotten to know the moon-man/woman rain boot (fearlessly sported by Kanye West), the Madame (the very first high-heeled croc), the chunky pool slides, and, most recently, the futuristic slip-on sandal. Guess we better just keep calm and put some crocs on!

Fendace

What would happen if two Italian fashion powerhouses decided to swap their creative “codes” for a collection? It would be the fashion version of Freaky Friday! Well, the ultimate style switcheroo happened between Fendi and Versace. The artistic directors– Kim Jones for Fendi and Donatella Versace for Versace– swapped places, and each house presented its own crossover collection: Fendi by Versace and Versace by Fendi, together known as Fendace. 

Fendi’s retro-minimalistic and architectural aesthetic was ‘Versace-fied” with the brand’s love of ancient Greece. The stars definitely aligned for this: the golden Medusa head looked spectacular against Fendi’s two-tone brown color scheme and the Greek key pattern easily morphed into Fendi’s double-F monogram.

Versace’s baroque rock-and-roll brashness was, in turn, “Fendi-fied.” Versace’s unapologetically sexy silhouettes became coy and captivating by Fendi’s mastery of combining contradictory shapes into alluring looks. See, fashion can create lasting friendships!

Maje Paris x Sailor Moon

Girls of the 90s and 2000s are sure to melt over the Maje Paris x Sailor Moon capsule collection! We loved Sailor Moon for her over-the-top escapades and flair for dramatics as well as her unabashed sense of girl-power. Her transformation silhouette makes for an ideal logo to plaster across denim jackets, skirts, hats and headbands. The collection also draws upon the Y2K mega-trend with pink corduroy, shrunken baby tees and bucket hats. (Our fave, btw, is the buttercup yellow sweat-set!)

 

Adidas x Gucci

Who else could find grandma and grandpa’s attic a treasure trove of inspiration other than Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s creative director. For this trip down nostalgic-and-whimsical memory lane, Gucci invited adidas and the two came up with a wonderfully retro collection. Adidas’ trefoil design was reworked into those iconic 70s wallpaper patterns – from a “retro rainbow” to a “field of dreams” – and in those just-too-groovy colors of lilac, olive green and mustard yellow. From one piece to the next, Adidas’ signature tri-stripe picks up where Gucci’s green-red-green stripe left off. Since Gucci’s partner in crime was adidas, the looks were based on athleisure. Every sport under the sun got the adidas x Gucci treatment: golf, tennis, soccer, jogging, basketball…even bowling! Get that (athletic) groove on in adidas x Gucci!

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