The Best Streetwear Collaborations of 2018
The top power move of modern style remains to be the collaboration—2017 had some bangers and we're happy to report that this past year did not disappoint either. These collabs are now part of history (unless you go through a reseller), so let's commemorate the best team-ups of 2018.
Stussy x Manila
While not strictly a collaboration, the Stussy Manila tee is a guaranteed collectible. First released in their December 2017 pop-up, the legendary streetwear brand returned for a round two drop with Commonwealth (and modeled by Sandwich) in the middle of this year.
Uniqlo x Kaws, Alexander Wang, Shonen Jump, Blizzard, JW Anderson, etc.
The Japanese label is pretty prolific when it comes to collabs and they’ll always be way more accessible than your average capsule collection—which is good because everything they release is a sure crowd pleaser: from Sesame Street(wear) with Kaws, to designer goods with Alexander Wang and JW Anderson, to fan-pleasing merch with Shonen Jump and Blizzard.
Jordan x PSG
Two worlds collided with the biggest basketball and football collaboration ever made. Paris Saint-Germain F.C. has a looker of a kit and the rich cultural backdrop of France’s capital city backing them up, so the collab was a totally classy affair appreciated by fans of either sport. Dipping their toes into football shouldn’t stay a one-and-done experiment by Jordan Brand.
Adidas x Dragon Ball
Some collabs have enough clout to break free from the sneakerhead orbit and into the mainstream consciousness. The Three Stripes’ Dragon Ball pack is the perfect example. While not all the shoes may be design hits, it’s a project that even your unironic dad-sneaker wearing tito may have seen on his timeline feed.
Nike x Kendrick Lamar
Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s “House Shoes” version of the iconic Nike Cortez is one of those collabs that is instantly recognizable because of a unique design quirk—something that’s pretty hard to do with the volume of team-ups released nowadays.
Off-White x Converse
A delayed member of “The Ten” this ghostly take on the classic Chuck Taylor was worth the wait. While the rest of the group featured translucent portions in varying amounts, it’s the old-school high top that really showed off the aesthetic possibilities of going see-through.
Nike x Acronym
If the burgeoning techwear trend needed a poster boy shoe, look no further then Acronym’s take on the Nike Air Presto. A dual-zipper entry and kinesio tape design reference may not sound like much on paper, but on the feet it’s one of the most striking collabs of the year.
Palace x Polo Ralph Lauren
This is arguably the biggest streetwear meets lux moment since Supreme cozied up with Louis Vuitton. The irreverent London skate brand’s aesthetic and typography actually meshed quite nicely with the traditional Americana vibe of Polo. It's a well-received collab that capped off a year filled with quality.
