If you’re reading this then it’s highly-likely that you’re already well-invested in sneaker culture, and you’ll know just how important collaborations are in this industry. If you’re new to the game then strap yourself in, as we’re about to deep dive into some of the most important Nike collaborators of all time. From chart-topping artists right through to high-fashion legends, the Swoosh brand really does it all when it comes to partnerships. combine this with the expansive roster of silhouettes available to work on and you have an instantly-winning formula.
In a world where collaborations are released weekly or even daily, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd, and these creators are the best in the game right now. check out our choices below as we cover some of their most important releases and why we think so, and if you can think of anyone that we’ve missed or that you’d add to the list, make sure to let us know via social media!
Image via repgod888
Travis Scott
It’s hard to deny just how much of an influence Travis Scott has had on the sneaker world. ever since the Houston-based rapper first joined forces with the Swoosh back in 2017 he’s produced nothing but pure gold. With several equally impressive Air force 1s under his belt, the Astrowold star went on to create one of the most hyped Air Jordan 1 releases in recent memory, by completely disregarding the rule book and reversing the iconic Nike Swoosh logo. If we fast forward to 2021 it’s clear that Travis has still got the magic touch, after his three-way collaboration with Jordan brand and fragment design dominated the market.
Image via SVD
fragment design/Hiroshi Fuhiwara
The one and only godfather of streetwear Hiroshi Fujiwara founded his fragment design label back in 2003, and since then the brand has partnered up with Nike more times than we’ve had hot dinners. While some collaborations have been enormously hyped (take the fragment x Air Jordan 1 from back in 2014 for example), others have remained totally under the radar. One thing is for certain though, and that’s that Fujiwara’s approach to design won’t be changed by trends that come and go. His subtle yet exquisite taste is a match made in heaven for Nike and we’re hoping for many more strong releases!
Image via Nike
Kanye Batı
When Kanye West is mentioned many sneakerheads quickly think of the adidas Yeezy brand, but let’s not forget where Mr. West started, and no, we’re not referring to Louis Vuitton. Kanye’s work with Nike is arguably responsible for an entire new wave of sneakerheads being exposed to the scene, and if you’re old enough to remember that iconic “now available” tweet that announced the drop of the Nike Air Yeezy II “Red October” then you’ll already know just how important this period was. While Kanye didn’t hang around at Nike, he laid the foundations for a phenomenon that grew bigger than anyone could ever have imagined.
Supreme üzerinden görüntü
Yüce
It’s hard to touch upon anything collaboration-related without mentioning NYC-based skate brand Supreme. A label that needs no introduction, supreme first joined forces with Nike straight after Nike SB made its debut in 2002, with the pair in question SB dunk Lows. The release dropped in store with no prior warning or announcement, and even managed to sit on the shelves for a short while before it sold-out. since then, the duo have produced some of the most iconic releases of the last 20 years, including (but not limited to) Blazers, Air force 1s, Air Max 98s and so much more.
Image via Concepts
Undefeated
Founded back in 2002, Undefeated operated as a high-end sneaker boutique for several years before making the jump to becoming a seasoned Nike collaborator, and when it did the results were monumental. There are little Air Jordan 4 colourways that demand as much attention as the Khaki green Undefeated AJ4 from back in 2005 does, and it’s the simple yet effective colour blocking and design features that edge them a step above the competition. Let’s not forget the many Dunks, Air force 1s and Air Max releases that the label has also worked on over the years, if we were to list them all we’d be here all day!
Image via NTWRK
Off-White/Virgil Abloh
Seeing as we’re talking about epic Nike collaborations, it’s only right that we pay homage to Virgil Abloh and his Off-White brand. It’s hard to remember a collaboration in recent years that’s caused a bigger stir than the initial launch of “The 10”. rather than working on just one silhouette, Virgil made his debut by releasing ten different collaborative sneakers at once, with the collection spanning over the AJ1, Presto, VaporMax and many more. The launch was accompanied by pop-up shops, workshops hosted by Virgil himself and even exhibitions. since then, Abloh continues to launch sneakers that sell-out quickly and is constantly pushing boundaries when it comes to hype products.
Image via now Fashiüzerinde
Comme des Garçons
Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons’u piyasaya sürdüğünden beri, Japon moda evi, birçok farklı pazarda inanılmaz derecede popüler olan tuhaf tasarımlarıyla ünlüdür. Marka, yıllardır Nike ile uzun süredir devam eden bir ortaklık düzenledi ve anında tanınabilir bir yeteneği sergilemek için birçok farklı silüeti tamamen yeniden tasarladı. Son yıllarda önemli sürümler arasında All-Pink Air Max 180, blinged Nike Shox TL (resimde) ve elbette 2020’nin Hava Kuvvetleri 1 Mid.
Gizli Görüntü
Gizli
Tokyo’daki Bunka Moda Koleji’nde okuduktan sonra, Haziran Takahashi 1993 yılında şimdi son derece tanınmış etiketini Undercover’ı kurdu. 2002 yılına kadar Paris Moda Haftası’nda gösteriyordu ve başarılı kariyeri devam ediyordu. Undercover, ikilinin bugün hala devam eden teknik ama şık spor giyim yaratmaya odaklanan bir koleksiyon olan o zamanki yepyeni Gyakusou programında çalıştığı 2010 yılında Swoosh ile işbirliği yaptı. Bunun yanı sıra, iki marka, React Element 87’nin (FW18’de Paris Moda Haftası’nda bir heyecan yarattı) ve hatta Vintage Daybreak Silhouette’i ele geçiren Dunk, ilk sürümleri de dahil olmak üzere birçok başarılı bağımsız sürüme sahipti.
T.Mcfly üzerinden görüntü
Sacai
Son yıllarda Sacai, her ikisi de kendi başlarına mükemmel olan son derece hiper Ldwaffle ve Vaporwaffle silüetlerinin yanı sıra abartılı ve iki katına çıkmış olan en popüler Nike ortak çalışanlarından biri oldu. Bu unutulmaz çiftler, Nike X Sacai’yi resmedmemiz istendiğinde hızlı bir şekilde düşündüğümüz şey olsa da, ikilinin her iki havanın da kayma varyantları üzerinde çalıştığında, iki etiketin 2015’e kadar uzanan bir geçmişi olduğunu hatırlamak önemlidir. Max 90 ve Dunk. Bu çiftler nispeten iyi karşılanmamış olsa da, şimdi zamanlarının çok ötesinde oldukları açıktır.
Kaws üzerinden görüntü
Kaws
İlk on Nike işbirlikçimizi tamamlarken, tek ve sadece Kaws, yani Brian Donnelly’den bahsetmemek imkansız olurdu. Amerikalı sanatçı ve tasarımcı tipik olarak radarın altında kalırken, spor ayakkabı işbirlikleri söz konusu olduğunda kolayca en iyilerden biri olduğunu inkar etmek yok. 2008’de Kaws, şu anda efsanevi olan Air Max 90’ın iki varyasyonunu sunmak için Nike ile bir araya geldi ve 2017’de Kaws X Air Jordan 4, spor ayakkabı dünyasını çılgınlığa gönderdi, birkaç FCFS sürümüyle kapandı. Londra’da polis. Yazma sırasında, Kaws, Sacai ve Nike arasındaki üç yönlü bir blazer işbirliği de en iyi yönlendiriyor ve bunun büyük olmasını bekliyoruz!