Another resolutely packed week for collaborations. This week was more star-studded than most, as brands tapped into the celebrity of cross-industry prolifics to create stellar collections that are as cultural as they are cool.
Tommy Hilfiger, for instance, had a three-way: collaborating with both Angelo Baque’s Awake NY and the Mercedes-AMG team to capitalise on the allure of the Grand Prix season — a move also replicated by Palm Angels with its collaboration with Haas F1 Team for a more subdued take on motorsport fashion. Another notable cultural tie-up this week? Supreme works with MF DOOM’s estate for a legacy collection that honours the late music influence. On the other side of the world, G-Dragon’s label Peaceminusone pairs with outdoor label Helinox for a three-piece collection that will more than suffice for your next outdoor adventure.
This week in collaborations is all about the culture. Scroll for the run-down — you just might find your next grail.
1. Tommy Hilfiger X Awake NY X Mercedes-AMG F1
Starting off strong with the only three-way collaboration of the week (and that we’ve seen in a while) — Tommy Hilfiger is taking “streetwear” literally. Enlisting the Mercedes-AMG F1 and Awake NY camps to create a collection centred around motorsport, neon greens and harsh blacks coexist alongside the signature Tommy navy, reds and whites.
Tommy Hilfiger X Awake NY X Mercedes-AMG F1 is a limited release, available for purchase at Tommy Hilfiger’s Raffles City outlet now. In addition, a thematic pop-up has been installed in the mall — visitors can anticipate a F1 simulator game and a photo booth, available all thru race weekend, till 17 September.
2. Palm Angels X Haas F1
Palm Angels X Haas F1 is not new: the Italian label earned an EntArtainment curator position sometime last year, and are now assuming its responsibilities, in part with a classical collection that nuances the spirit of racing. Instead of neons and large checkerboard patterns, the second collection to materialise from the link-up is crafted in Haas’ sleek reds and blacks, appearing on leather jackets, windbreakers and even a sturdy interpretation of Haas’ American heritage in trucker caps.
Palm Angels X Haas F1 is available for purchase now, online.
3. Peaceminusone X Helinox
Outdoor gear label Helinox has developed a cult following, and went through a recent surge in popularity, thanks in part to the gorpcore trend. So what happens when a cult label collaborates with one backed and founded by one of the most popular K-artists of all time? Big Bang’s G-Dragon is lending his Peaceminusone name (and logo!) to Helinox for a three-piece collection of chairs and a table, pretty much guaranteeing a sold-out status for the collab.
While Peaceminusone X Helinox’s drop date has yet to be released, the collection will only be purchasable at Helinox Creative Center Tokyo.
4. Supreme X MF DOOM
Supreme is releasing a MF DOOM capsule to honour the late musical great. Best known for multiple personas, an iconic Dr Doom mask and an inexplicable public presence, the British-American was revered in the underground rap scene. Three years after his passing, the New York label has collaborated with his estate for a posthumous capsule that features iconic imagery from the rapper’s legacy.
Supreme X MF DOOM is available for purchase online, from 7 September.
5. Denim Tears X Levi’s
Levi’s is on a roll — after dropping an all-American denim collaboration with Venice Beach label ERL last week, the forefathers of the blue jean have just announced another high-street partnership to add to the roster. In comes Denim Tears, founded by the ex-Supreme creative director Tremaine Emory. Expect the latter’s emblematic wreath motif plastered all over sturdy cuts from Levi’s, alongside Western denim shirts, leather vests and an assortment of tees, all inspired by Martin Dixon’s photo book, Brooklyn Kings: New York City’s Black Bikers.
Denim Tears X Levi’s is available for purchase online, from 12 September.
6. Jean Paul Gaultier X KNWLS
Jean Paul Gaultier has passed the keys to the KWNLS camp, creating covetable pieces fit for the arrival of fall: think sheer, layerable mesh tops adorned with signature Gaultier printing, and a palette of neutral browns and beiges that recall KNWLS’s own collections. Happening thanks to a recent link-up with two of the most sought after Gen Z brands, the creative merger culminates in a 42-piece collection that shares equal homage to both labels.
Jean Paul Gaultier X KNWLS is available for purchase online, from 10 September.
7. A-COLD-WALL* X Nike TN98
Samuel Ross is one to watch for in the “run for your money”-verse. Following a pared-back collection with Timberland, his label A-COLD-WALL* returns with another prolific street capsule, this time in the shape of Nike’s Air Max Plus 98. Classic ACW palettes of sleek achromatism see to the collection taking form in only Onyx and Stone, as well as Brutalist-inspired construction (or rather, deconstruction) of the signature exoskeleton of the shoe — a showcase of ACW’s ability at refined streetwear sensibilities.
A-COLD-WALL* X Nike TN98 is available for purchase via early access online, from 12 September.
8. Stüssy X Talking Heads
Stüssy X Talking Heads is an ode to New York City’s sound. Talking Heads lead the new wave genre in 1970s New York, where art rock and funk met punk and new music — as fronted by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison. With a cemented legacy — the band was incepted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 — Stüssy’s collaboration comes timely to the release of its remastered 1980 album, “Remain in Light”.
Stüssy X Talking Heads is available for purchase online, from 8 September.
9. Crocs X Levi’s
True to Levi’s promise, its 150th anniversary festivities are proving to be packed. Atop of the aforementioned Denim Tears collab, an artful venture into shoes is made — in the form of one-of-one Crocs, fashioned using deadstock Cone Denim fabrics. Spearheaded by Proletare Art, the second collaboration between the two this year follows the release of the All-Terrain Clog ‘Sashiko’.
The Crocs X Levi’s drop date has yet to be released, stay tuned for more information.
10. Neighborhood X CLOT
In a East-meets-East collaboration, Edison Chen’s CLOT has paired up with Japanese label Neighbourhood for an extensive collection that marries punk with Chinese cultural sensibilities. The result? A collection that prominently features the dragon — a motif as commonly reiterated amongst both labels’ collections. Chinese shirts adopt the classic heritage silhouettes, emblazoned with the dragon iconography, while the capsule’s baseball shirts modernise the capsule with henley silhouettes and gothic script.
Neighbourhood X CLOT is available for purchase online, from 9 September.
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our September 2023 issue.
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