It’s that time again – welcome to your Friday Briefing. This time around, it’s all about the collabs. Brands teaming up together to release a collaborative project is nothing new – but in recent years they’ve come to be a main part of keeping labels fresh and pushing into new areas. Their ability to harness both brands’ audiences whilst creating something that combines the best of both worlds has meant we’ve also seen the volume of collaborations increase dramatically over the past few years. For this week’s briefing, it seems only fair to break down some of the best of the week.
CROCS, CHRISTIAN COWAN & CHRISTINE QUINN
First up? Crocs and, well, everyone. It’s no secret that Crocs have undergone a serious renaissance in the past year-and-a-bit, and for their latest campaign, they’ve pulled out the big guns. Launching a range of new styles in collaboration with British designer Christian Cowan, the campaign sees everyone from Christine Quinn to Michelle Visage take them for a spin. Imagine explaining this image to someone 3 years ago.
MOOSE KNUCKLES TAP POST MALONE
Canadian luxury outerwear label Moose Knuckles has enlisted none other than Post Malone for a collaboration that has quietly been in the works for over a year – a gender neutral capsule collection. United in their shared affinity for experimentation and rebelliousness, the campaign imagery was shot on a remote mountainside in Utah. Some shoot to stumble into on a hike.
FLANNELS LINK UP WITH LAQUAN SMITH
Just in time for Paris Fashion Week, luxury retail giant FLANNELS has teamed up with contemporary designer Laquan Smith for an exclusive drop – a series of new pieces which include corsets, two pieces and more. As part of the store’s shift into supporting and pioneering what they’re calling New Luxury, this partnership marks a new era, and new drops. Rumour has it they’re also throwing a celebratory bash somewhere in Paris this evening, too.
KSUBI IS DESTINED FOR GREATNESS
Also in Paris this week is a new link up between heritage denim and streetwear brand Ksubi and Greatness, the lifestyle brand headed up by Greatness Dex. Founding member of BBK Africa, Dex is throwing a two-day Paris pop-up to celebrate the collab – which will see a limited merch line and series of events take place this weekend.
LEVI’S HAVE AMBUSHED THE CANADIAN TUX
Speaking of fashion week, there’s nothing more rewarding than putting on a two-piece and knowing it’s a look. Minimum effort, maximum vibes. Two brands who’ve got this down are Ambush and Levi’s – who have created a collaborative denim jacket and jeans set which takes the Canadian tuxedo to new, high-fashion heights. Reimagining classic Levi’s silhouettes with elevated details, premium fabrications & signature sundries, Ambush have even given the option of two separate jean fits – cos everyone needs options.
F YOU MEAN? CONVERSE & BABY KEEM!
Converse is known for nurturing talent across the arts, being a major player in the collab game already. For its next venture, it is expanding its creative roster to include Baby Keem, with the partnership seeing Keem exploring the classic Chuck Taylor All Star. Announcing Keem’s induction into Converse’s creative universe with a short film, we’re eagerly anticipating future creative outputs from this new pairing.
MORE POCKETS THANKS TO EASTPAK & DENHAM
Rounding off this week in collabs is the news that Amsterdam-based denim brand has collabed with Eastpak on a series of new bags that are here to solve the age-old issue of not having enough pockets. Coming in on the functional side of things, this one’s for the people who have places to go and people to see – and who love denim, evidently.
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See also: MOVEMENT, ORIGINALITY & LEATHER ILLUSIONS: DEEP DIVE INTO BOTTEGA VENETA’S SS23
