Sneaker collaborations have become commonplace in the footwear industry over the past few decades thanks to brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance. Collaborations involve an outside entity, like a sneaker store or an artist—working with a footwear brand to create a new version of an existing shoe.
A collaboration is just as wonderful as a selling point—an opportunity to widen the market, expand the audience.
Here are some artists who have collaborated with some of the biggest sneaker brands:
RUOHAN WANG X NIKE
Ruohan Wang’s specialty is creating an artwork that focuses on the relationship between humans and the earth. Each shoe contains a mosaic of graphic shapes and psychedelic colors.
The box that comes with the shoes is also decked out in Wang’s signature designs. Each pair uses Nike’s Flyleather which is made of 50% recycled leather on the upper part of the sneaker. This pairs well with Wang’s focus on sustainability and the earth-centric theme of the collection.
ANDY WARHOL X CONVERSE
Imagine having Andy Warhol’s iconic imagery on your sneakers? What a bomb it will be.
His screen prints are being used on wearable everyday items such as sneakers, to encompass Warhol’s message of commerciality and mass production. The Andy Warhol foundation first collaborated with Converse in 2015.
KEITH HARING X REEBOK
With multiple different collections featuring the late artist’s work, each sneaker makes a statement that embodies the messages of his original artwork. The bold colors paired with Haring’s graphic cartoon-ish figures pops out from Reebok’s signature sneaker designs.
It separated itself from not just slapping his graphics onto a flat surface, but in twinging them within the actual shoe design. The Keith Haring Foundation started collaborating with Reebok in 2013.
KANYE WEST X ADIDAS
The collaborative brand Yeezy started in 2015 between both musician and designer Kanye West and sports giant Adidas. What makes a Yeezy sneaker stand out from the rest of the sneaker crowd are the daring designs. One of its most hyped up releases was the Adidas YEEZY FOAM RNNR.
Made with algae-based foam, its caged-like appearance had people guessing as to what it would be like to wear one of these types of shoes.
JEFF STAPLE X NIKE
Designer Jeff Staple created a sneaker as a dedication to NYC, and the now infamous pigeon was born. The Nike SB dunk low featured a dark/light grey colorway and a stitched pigeon on the heel. Lines were formed outside of Staple’s store in the lower east side, and soon it was swarmed with people trying to get their hands on the coveted sneaker.
It became one of the first times non-sneaker lovers had ever heard of a “sneaker riot.” From there people started to question why people were obsessed with sneakers. It has been credited as one of the first major hyped up sneakers that started the trend of “hype.”
COMME des GARCONS X NIKE AND CONVERSE
French designer brand COMME des GARÇONS has collaborated with Nike on multiple different occasions in which the popular release was The Supreme X Nike X COMME des GARÇONS in a collaboration which took the classic Nike swoosh and sliced it in half. The collaboration is to showcase a deconstructed look that they are known for.
One of the most popular is their collaboration Converse X CDG Play collection. The CDG Play pieces feature the heart-shaped logo and are a more casual version of their traditional luxury line, making it wearable for a wide range of people.
HTM X NIKE
The former CEO of Nike, Mark Parker, collaborated with sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield and “godfather of streetwear” stylist-designer, Hiroshi Fujiwara. Since 2002 the collaborative trio HTM has released sneakers with innovative technologies including Nike Flyknit and KOBE 9 Elite Low HTM , and they continue to push boundaries. Each designer brings along their own set of skills and inspiration to the table to create sneakers.
This design trio is mostly focused on new technologies and have helped advance sneaker design. These designs are a blend of couture and effortless streetstyle, making this collaboration one of the most respected in the sneaker world.
KAWS X VANS AND NIKE
KAWS is an artist/designer that has worked with brands including Vans and Nike. One of his most well-known collaborations is with the KAWS X Vans Chukka boot LX design. The white sneaker displayed hand-drawn illustrations of Simpsons (or “Kimpsons”) characters that featured his signature X’s on the eyes.
It has been sold at auction houses and still fetches a high price on reselling sites like Stockx. He has also released The Jordan x KAWS capsule collection. Inspired by KAW’s Brooklyn heritage, the grey suede exterior was a new change for the Jordan sneaker. KAWS is known as the most notable collaborators in the sneaker world.
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD X ASICS
This collaboration resulted in a dynamic sneaker collaboration for they have created a unique line of shoes that blends runway extravaganza with the contemporary sneaker market. Their partnership takes inspiration from Westwood’s own fashion brand history.
Coupled with Asics, it has resulted in a line of sneakers for the consumer looking to distance themselves from the norm and celebrate both artistic fashion and classic streetwear.
SHANTELL MARTIN X PUMA
Martin works with loose expressive imagery either in art installations or drawings. Her works contain messages of unity, inspiration, and aspiration showing designs that are accessible to a wide group of people. he shoes feature motivational phrases such as “Be More” or “ Do Less Be More” either on the sole or exterior of the sneaker.
The collections included classic Puma sneakers such as the Puma Suede and Cylde. They featured graphic black/white lettering with a navy blue introduced in the second drop.
