It's no surprise that designer collaborations have become a go-to buzz-creating strategy for brands and retailers, both high and low. And what's better than combining two labels people already know and love, and allowing a luxury brand to reach the masses in a way it probably never would? Plus, the idea of these limited-edition partnerships automatically leads to insane customer demand, with mile-long lines of shoppers camping out, and merchandise inevitably landing on eBay for mind-boggling mark-ups. But every single time we hear of another one coming down the pipeline (like the latest news of Marimekko for Target and Rodarte for & Other Stories), we can't help but daydream about the designer team-ups we're still waiting for. (Seriously, how have Alexa Chung and Reformation not created a line together yet?)
Ahead, we've come up with 11 collaborations that make so much sense, it's about time these brands made them happen. Click on to see our picks and let us know: Who would be behind your ideal capsule collection? Get creative and sound off in the comments, and let's hope these suggestions will become a reality.
Alexa Chung x Reformation
Shift minidresses and dainty collar details are practically Alexa Chung style signatures, so we're surprised that our go-to destination for all things perfectly sexy and vintage-inspired, Reformation, hasn't tapped the British It Girl to design a collection yet. In the past, the company has teamed up with model Camille Rowe (there were also rumours of a collaboration with Karlie Kloss), so we're thinking it's only a matter of time until it brings yet another another fashion star into the mix.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Acne Studios x H&M
Major brands creating a capsule collection for fast-fashion powerhouse H&M is no new feat: It's teamed up with everyone from Versace and Balmain to Karl Lagerfeld and Isabel Marant. Since Acne Studios has a cult-like following (not unlike the aforementioned labels), a collaboration with H&M would mean its cool-kid aesthetic could be everyone's for the taking (though we can't imagine how long the lines would be). Just think of the street style ready bombers, contemporary chokers, and skinny jeans we'd be able to score (at a fraction of the price).
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Wes Anderson x Opening Ceremony
A Wes Anderson film is one of the easiest to spot thanks to the director's signature colour palettes, styling, and overall aesthetic that turns a movie into a world we wish we could live in. And if any retailer would be right to bring this look to life, it would Opening Ceremony. Just imagine the Margot Tenenbaum-type furs, and the Peter Pan collar frocks inspired by Moonrise Kingdom. Plus, we're betting the would-be in-store installation in celebration of the launch would be Instagram gold.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Miu Miu x Uniqlo
Uniqlo is one of the first places we run for affordable basics, winter layers, and workwear essentials. But, the retailer's also tallied up a pretty extensive list of impressive collaborations, from Lemaire to Liberty London. With the print-heavy collection from the latter, it's pretty easy to picture colour- (and pattern-) loving Miu Miu making its way onto the store's roster of capsule collections. The quirky combinations, statement collars, and feminine silhouettes are pretty much everything our spring wardrobes need, if only we could afford to buy them in bulk.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Issey Miyake x Target
If anyone has taken ultimate advantage of the designer-collaboration model (and the insanity that follows), it's Target: The retailer has had successful lines with Lilly Pullitzer, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, and Missoni, just to name a few. But if there's one brand we're betting it'll team up with in the future (perhaps after its forthcoming Marimekko collaboration), it's Issey Miyake. The Japanese designer's signature, technology-inspired clothing and must-have tote bag would absolutely kill it at a lower price point, considering how popular they already are all around the world.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Zendaya x & Other Stories
Zendaya just has that kind of off-beat, ever-changing style that's righ t up & Other Stories' alley; any fan of the 19-year-old singer knows she's the type of girl who can rock a fancy pantsuit and a mullet just as effortlessly as jeans and dreads. And since Stories is all about unexpected, quirky-chic partnerships — it has teamed up with the likes of Clare Vivier, Rachel Antonoff, and soon, Rodarte — a cool, young celebrity seems like the perfect person to bring onboard next.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Kanye West x Gap
Okay, so even if Kanye West doesn't actually become creative director of The Gap, we're hoping the two will still link up for a limited-edition collaboration. Just picture Gap's traditional logo wear getting the torn-up, oversized, neutral-coloured Yeezy treatment — fuccbois everywhere would be lining up for blocks, and the resale prices would likely be nuts.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Solange Knowles x Topshop
Talk about a match made in fashion heaven. We can only imagine the on-point colour-blocking and '70s-inspired silhouettes that would come from a collaboration between Solange Knowles and Topshop. We're picturing a skirt-pant hybrid, some flowy-sleeved blouses, and an array of colourful cat-eye shades — a.k.a. gems we'd definitely camp out at our nearest store for. Since the retailer has already teamed up with Bey, we're crossing our fingers that baby sis is next in line.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Harry Potter x Forever 21
Forever 21 hasn't really taken the high-end designer route à la H&M — instead, the brand prefers to stick to cultural franchises, like sports teams and Disney, to make a splash. So, the Harry Potter nerd inside of all of us wishes they'd come out with a line of cool-girl, Deathly Hallows-symboled merch (and some Potter-inspired round glasses, obviously). Paired with a leather jacket and boyfriend jeans, there's no denying these pieces would look good.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Vans x Pokemon
Can you believe Pokemon came out 20 years ago? We can't, either, but no brand could truly celebrate this anniversary quite like Vans, which has its own lengthy history to be proud of (the brand recently released 50 colourways of its Sk8-Hi sneaker for its 50th birthday). The result would be streetwear decorated with the unmistakable Poke-Ball — and if it doesn't happen now, we'd bet it will end up on the Vetements runway soon enough.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Nike x Suno
Nike, having partnered with Sacai last year, is clearly riding the high-fashion-meets-athleisure wave, and our fingers are crossed that Suno's next in line. The New York-based label is one that's won over our print-loving hearts, so we definitely wouldn't mind breaking a sweat in some perfectly clashing patterns and fashion-fied crop tops and sneakers.
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