Best fashion collabs that made our 2018

Unique, quirky, one-of-a-kind — we love it when creatives get together to come up with cool collections that buck the trend.

Before we ring in the new year, let’s take a trip down memory lane to revisit the best fashion collaborations that happened this year.

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Fashion and music are two entities that go hand in hand. And the K-world knows this very well. In February, Nonagon, a fashion label that’s owned by YG Entertainment and Samsung Everland, tapped on one of their K-pop idols — Lisa (Lalisa Manoban) of BLACKPINK — to create a clothing capsule collection.

Inspired by Lisa’s favourite fashion items and colours, this series, titled “Brightest Star in The Night Sky”, stayed true to the label’s aesthetics with a collection of hip-hop styled boxy t-shirts, hoodies, denim jeans and denim shorts that came embroidered with L.S. (abbreviation for Lisa) and Roman numeral ‘IX’ (which means No Nagon!).

It goes without saying that the collection was well received — a second collection comprising hoodies and sweatpants was released in September. And you thought BLACKPINK’s music collab with Dua Lipa was the highlight of the year (the song title’s Kiss and Make Up, ICYMI).

Photo: nona9on.com

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K-idol and style icon Jessica Jung’s fashion label, Blanc & Eclare collaborated with Southeast Asian-based online fashion retailer Zalora for the very first time to release an exclusive and limited edition faux leather bucket bag that’s only available at the multi-label e-retailer.

Named Poppy, this highly-coveted bag is a versatile accessory, with an adjustable strap that can be fashioned either as a hand bag or a cross body bag. The colour way for this piece was inspired by the soft shades of a Poppy flower field (hence, the name). Think hues like white, pink and lilac. There are also bags in black, brown and nude for those who prefer something more classic. Some pieces are still available, so if you want to look as chic and classy as Jung, now’s your chance.

Psst, following the success of this launch, Jung went on to launch a second bag — a structured boxy piece called Rosie — in November.

Photo: Zalora

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Jaden Smith is just 20 years old, but we dare say this young individual has accomplished more than any of us. The son of Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, he raps, sings, is a songwriter as well as an actor. This year, he adds another title to his resume: A designer. And an environmentally-conscious one at that.

Smith partnered with Dutch brand G-Star Raw to unveil a collection in October, titled Forces of Nature, that paid tribute to the beauty and power of nature. With three categories that featured different colourways (blue, ecru and black), this collection — which comprised denim jeans, digitally printed t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and denim jackets — was dyed and processed with sustainable methods.

From the introduction of Cradle to Cradle Gold Level Certified™ denim (which certifies that the jeans were made with completely sustainable methods) and organic cotton to reusing and recycling dyes and waters, the entire design process was, according to Smith, thoroughly “thought out from the very beginning” and focuses on a greener and more sustainable future. A fashionable and green closet? Yes please.

Photo: G-Star Raw

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Every year since 2004, H&M releases at least one designer collaboration that offers a range of high-end designs at high-street prices. It often triggers great fanfare and long queues, with items getting snapped up and sold out within hours.

In November this year, the partnership was with Moschino. The collab, stylised as MOSCHINO [tv] H&M, was all about reflecting the fun and high-energy personality of the maison’s creative director, Jeremy Scott.

Flamboyant and bold, pieces from the line ranged from a cool mix of streetwear meets music — featuring hip hop-esque gold chains on faux fur coats and leather jackets — to Disney Couture, with characters on sweatshirts, hoodies and baseball t-shirts, and logomania (with logos plastered on tops, jewellery and footwear).

It included both womenswear and menswear, as well as designs exclusively for puppies — the first H&M collab to do so. Loud and ostentatious, it’s a collection you won’t be forgetting in a long time. Some pieces are still up for grabs on H&M’s website.

Photo: H&M

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Ugly shoes are in. Just look at the unlikely success of Birkenstock shoes, Crocs and ugly sneakers. In fact, we might even venture to say that it all started when Phoebe Philo sent models down the runway donning fur-lined Birkenstock-style sandals in her Spring/Summer 2013 collection for Céline. Since then, Birkenstock and all its sibling incarnations have been the shoe du jour in every fashion girl’s closet.

In April, Birkenstock teamed up with American fashion designer, Rick Owens, to curate a collection of footwear for their Birkenstock’s Box project. These pieces — which includes “Arizona”, “Madrid” and “Boston” sandals fashioned with army felt, suede, full-grain leather and longhair cow fur — showcased Owens’ design ethos of defying all types of trends. Ugly footwear? We love them even more now.

Want to cop some of them? They are still available here.

Photo: birkenstock.com

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From J.W. Anderson to Kate Moss, Christopher Kane and Mary Katrantzou, Topshop has done countless collaborations with renowned designers and celebrities. This year in November, they have teamed up with Central Saint Martins graduate (class of 2016), Michael Halpern, who soared to fame after debuting his eponymous collection, Halpern, at London Fashion Week in February 2017.

His disco-driven designs are filled with sequins upon sequins à la ’70s Studio 54 era, which saw him nab the British Emerging Talent – Womenswear category at The Fashion Awards in the same year.

The collaboration was no different, with 28 pieces that included neon velvet separates, sequin-adorned jumpsuits and iridescent camo print mini dresses. Blinding, but hot. Get them just in time for the party season.

Photo: Topshop

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The sneakers world stood still when London-based designer, Jonathan Anderson, collaborated with Converse for the first time last year at the runway of Spring/Summer 2018 with a range of fancy kicks that featured colour block glittery sneakers. It was a hit, and eventually this partnership became a permanent fixture.

In 2018, Jonathan Anderson returned with five Converse collaborations, taking on the heralded Chuck Taylor series featuring new colour schemes and materials, such as denim, nude suede, cotton knits, felt and ice-lolly hues. Tactile, visually interesting and fun, they are everything you’d want in a pair of sneaks.

P.S: Some of them are still available here.

Photo: j-w-anderson.com

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What happens when two generations meet? Magic happens, we think. The paths of the world’s most iconic fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld, and our generation’s supermodel, Kaia Gerber — daughter of Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford — crossed this year when they released the Karl Lagerfeld x Kaia collection in August (online) and September (in-stores) this year.

Blending the trend-setting vision of Gerber with Lagerfeld’s effortless classics, the pieces were a touch of Parisian chic meets Los Angeles cool. From biker jackets to tuxedo blazers, LBDs and luxurious blouses, they instantly made anyone youthful, sexy and confident. We like.

Get your hands on some pieces from Karl Lagerfeld’s website.

Photo: karl.com

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Uniqlo is known for its coveted collaborations with fashion editor Carine Roitfeld, designer Jonathan Anderson and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, to name a few.

This year, the brand teamed up with Tomas Maier, creative director at Italian fashion brand Bottega Veneta, to roll out a series of pieces in May that were light and summery.

Comprising both womenswear and menswear, the collection was inspired by the sun-kissed splendour of Florida — a city that he founded his eponymous label.

Think light resort-wear, tree prints and comfy swimwear. Pastel coloured garments were prominent in the ladies’ selections while it was all about the navy blues and olive greens for the men. All we needed to complete the Miami Beach look was a glass of Mojito.

Photo: Uniqlo

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It’s fashion meets French meets flawless beauty in this collaboration. After the partnership with luxury house Balmain earlier this year, L’Oréal worked with another fashion designer, French icon, Isabel Marant, to create a range of designer, yet affordable, make-up products in September.

Her beauty collection was based on the Western Americana theme, which comprised a brow mascara, seven shades of red and nude lipsticks, a balmy highlighter, a lip gloss and a palette of “Smoke” eye-shadow duo. Get some tousled waves for your ‘do and you’re ready for a dinner date.

Photo: loreal-paris.co.uk

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