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 medier!
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 West
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.
Billede via Supreme
Supreme
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 Fashipå
Comme des Garçons
Lige siden Rei Kawakubo lancerede Comme des Garçons, er det japanske modehus kendt for sine skøre design, der har vist sig utroligt populære på mange forskellige markeder. Mærket har haft et langvarigt partnerskab med Nike i mange år nu, og har fuldstændigt redesignet masser af forskellige silhuetter for at vise, at det øjeblikkeligt er anerkendte flair. Bemærkelsesværdige udgivelser på tværs af de seneste år inkluderer en all-lyserød Air Max 180, den blingede Nike Shox TL (billedet) og selvfølgelig 2020’s Air Force 1 Mid.
Billede via undercover
Undercover
Efter at have studeret på Bunka Fashion College i Tokyo, grundlagde Jun Takahashi sin nu ekstremt velkendte etiket undercover tilbage i 1993. I 2002 viste han allerede på Paris Fashion Week, og hans succesrige karriere var godt i gang. Undercover samarbejdede med Swoosh for første gang tilbage i 2010, da duoen arbejdede på det daværende splinternye Gyakusou-program, en samling, der fokuserede på at skabe tekniske, men alligevel stilfulde sportsbeklædning, som stadig kører i dag. Ved siden af dette har de to mærker også haft masser af vellykkede standalone -udgivelser, herunder en dunk, debutversioner af React Element 87 (der forårsagede en opstemning ved Paris Fashion Week tilbage i FW18) og endda en overtagelse af den vintage dagbrød silhuet.
Billede via T.Mcfly
Sacai
I de senere år har Sacai været en af de mest populære Nike-samarbejdspartnere derude, der er ansvarlige for overdrevne og fordoblede optagelser, såvel som de enormt hypede Ldwaffle og Vaporwaffle-silhuetter, som begge er fremragende i deres egen ret. Mens disse mindeværdige par er det, vi hurtigt ville tænke på, når vi bliver bedt om at forestille sig Nike X Sacai, er det vigtigt at huske, at de to etiketter har en historie, der spænder tilbage til 2015, da duoen arbejdede på slip-on-varianter af både luften Max 90 og dunk. Selvom disse par ikke var relativt godt modtaget, er det nu klart, at de var masser foran deres tid.
Billede via Kaws
Kaws
Når vi afslutter vores top ti Nike -samarbejdspartnere, ville det være umuligt ikke at nævne den eneste KAWS, alias Brian Donnelly. Mens den amerikanske kunstner og designer typisk forbliver under radaren, er der ingen, der benægter, at han let er en af storerne, når det kommer til sneaker -samarbejder. Hele vejen tilbage i 2008 samarbejdede KAWS med Nike for at tilbyde to variationer af Air Max 90, der nu er legendariske, og i 2017 sendte Kaws X Air Jordan 4 sneakerhead -verdenen i en vanvid, med flere FCF’er udgivelser endda lukket ned ved Politi i London. I skrivende stund er et andet tre-vejs Blazer-samarbejde mellem KAWS, Sacai og Nike også undervejs, og vi forventer, at det er et stort!