Fashion Collaborations In 2022 To Look Forward To

Fashion collaborations are rampant now — any fashion brand out there worth its salt will end up creating a capsule collection of some sort in collaboration with another brand. It’s almost a given that we’ll be inundated with fashion collaboration after fashion collaboration every year.

But not all fashion collaborations are created equal. In the name of shopping responsibly (always a core ethos here at A), we’ve narrowed down a list of fashion collaborations to keep an eye out for in 2022. And since confirmations of such exclusives tend to happen throughout the year, this list will be continuously populated.

Uniqlo and Marni

In their first-ever collaboration together, the Uniqlo and Marni is a thoroughly vibrant and playful one. The collection spans across both womenswear and menswear — with the both rather interchangeable in some aspects — and is teemed with floral prints and stripes that have both become emblematic of Marni.

What’s exceptionally translated into the Uniqlo and Marni collection is the play in proportions. This is not only reflected through the prints (florals are presented in two different scales) but also in the way that volume and fit are key elements of the collection. Highlights include a printed balloon skirt, printed coordinates, as well as a striped short-sleeved dress.

The Uniqlo and Marni collection is now available at Uniqlo stores and online.

Louis Vuitton x NBA

A collaboration that began back in 2020 under the influence and guidance of late artistic director Virgil Abloh, the Louis Vuitton x NBA capsule collection is back for a third outing. The collection this time around is more concise and focuses on accessories inspired by travel.

A Monogram-embossed electric blue Taurillon leather is employed throughout, with a new LV signature decorated on a basketball logo emblazoned at the front. Pieces for this edition of Louis Vuitton x NBA range from the classic Christopher backpack to new additions such as a specially designed trunk-like watch case meant to hold eight watches, as well as a Malle Courrier trunk.

The Louis Vuitton x NBA 2022 capsule collection drops 2 June 2022.

Gucci x Ōura Ring

Wearable technology is hardly a new invention, with smartwatches and fitness trackers are two of the most popular of the lot. Wearable tech rings are the more discreet options for those that don’t fancy having another screen to obsess over, and the Ōura Ring is considered one of the best of its kind.

Gucci has just partnered up with the brand for a more luxurious iteration of its Gen3 Ōura Ring — its most advanced model yet. The Gucci x Ōura Ring is crafted from titanium and weighs only four grams, with a design that’s undoubtedly Gucci. It’s entirely all-black except for the 18-carat yellow gold Gucci Interlocking G motif as well as a braided detailing framing the entire band.

As with its non-Gucci Gen3 Ring, the Gucci x Ōura Ring relays information ranging from sleep patterns to heart rate to the Ōura App on your mobile phone in a non-interruptive way throughout the day. Check your activities whenever you want to without being prompted with a ring that looks like any other Gucci ring.

The Gucci x Ōura Ring is now available at gucci.com.

Balenciaga / adidas

The Balenciaga spring 2023 runway show was shocking in more ways than one, namely with all the models clad in fetish bodysuits. But it was also the series of adidas three stripes- and Trefoil logo-laden pieces closing the show that (perhaps not to some) surprised everyone who was watching.

Balenciaga / adidas is quite an extensive collaboration, featuring mashed up logos of both brands on mainly signature Balenciaga silhouettes. Everything from the Hourglass bag to the Triple S sneakers have been added with adidas motifs — seamlessly so — while staying true to artistic director Demna’s vision of the luxury fashion house.

What’s especially exciting is the fact that for a limited time only, a select number of pieces from the Balenciaga / adidas collection was made immediately available for purchase right after the show. No exact date has been set yet for when the full collection will drop. But from now until 29 May 2022, a number of the Balenciaga / adidas collection can be purchased online.

Shop the exclusive release of the Balenciaga / adidas collection on balenciaga.com.

adidas x Gucci

First seen on the Exquisite Gucci collection’s runway show back in February 2022, the adidas x Gucci collection seems to be part of a continuous relationship between the sportswear brand and Kering Group. But while Balenciaga / adidas feels more contemporary, adidas x Gucci plays into the Italian house’s retro stylings.

The combination of icons from both brands are apparent in almost every piece of the collaboration. Tracksuits are key in the collection and have been reinterpreted in various combinations, including shorter styles and flared silhouettes. Ready-to-wear pieces take reference from old-school sportswear, punctuated with vibrant prints that are also present on accessories such as bowling bags, Gucci Horsebit 1955 crossbody bags, and bucket hats.

In line with Gucci’s move towards more sustainable practices and materials, the adidas x Gucci collection also includes pieces made from ECONYL’s regenerated nylon material.

The adidas x Gucci collection is scheduled to drop on 7 June 2022 at select Gucci boutiques, dedicated pop-ups, gucci.com, and the adidas CONFIRMED app.

Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock

The Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock collection dropped early 2022 in March. But that’s only the first release. While details of the second release have yet to surface, if the first one is anything to go by, it’s set to be one that combines Birkenstock’s favoured utility in design with Manolo Blahnik’s instantly recognisable crystal buckle.

It’s only speculation at this point, but perhaps the second release would expand the initial offering with a slate of different colours and in materials that would be perfect for the summer. Could we be seeing an espadrille-like Birkenstock silhouette with Manolo Blahnik accents? Anything is possible. But in the meantime, there’s still a few sizes of the first Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock release available online.

The second release of the Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock collection is scheduled for a June 2022 drop.

Louis Vuitton and Nike

A collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Nike was a long time coming, especially since the appointment of the late Virgil Abloh as artistic director of menswear. In some ways, Louis Vuitton and Nike is one of Abloh’s parting gifts to his ardent fans and sneaker enthusiasts before his untimely passing.

Part of Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer 2022 menswear collection, there were a total of 47 bespoke editions of Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” sneakers created. But for the retail release of the collaboration, only nine selected styles will be made available. The range spans a mix of mid- and low-top Air Force 1s each featuring the Louis Vuitton Monogram on the upper while retaining the key elements of the AF1.

The Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” collection is scheduled for release in June 2022.