Every once in a while, we get a sneaker collaboration that combines creativity and innovation, and we are all better for it. Numerous successful partnerships have been made this year, including those between sneaker brands and pop artists, and it appears that there may be even more that are set to arrive in 2022. This year sparks the fourth collaboration between Chuck Owens and Converse, along with a new partnership by Adidas and Wales Bonner, Joe Freshgoods and New Balance, among others. Read on to discover our favourite sneaker collaborations this year.
Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 9060
The launch of a brand-new silhouette, the 9060, pushes the latest joint venture between New Balance and Joe Freshgoods deeper and into unexplored terrain. With a radically futuristic vision motivated by the daringly experimental, visual-tech led designs of the y2k period, the 9060 warps and exaggerates design components borrowed from the classic 990 series. The Joe Freshgoods “Inside Voices” 9060, which has features influenced by summertime nostalgia, gives the idea of reinterpreted familiarity a personal touch.
Wales Bonner x Adidas Samba “Cream Green”
The Spring Summer 2022 collection by Wales Bonner and Adidas Originals recreates football gear from the 1970s and 1980s. With a nylon upper accented by suede embellishments and bold contrast topstitching, Wales Bonner offers them a fresh appeal. They have crocheted supplemental laces that are a hallmark of the Wales Bonner family and are lined with satin.
Gucci x Adidas Gazelle
The design elements of Adidas and Emblematic House blend together. Adidas and Gucci blend historic insignia in a trio of lines for the collection, encoding both heritages. Alessandro Michele, the creative director, drew inspiration from his experiences in the 1980s and 1990s to create a collection that is yet nostalgic and modern. These Gazelle sneakers have stripes and a Trefoil pattern.
Maison Margiela x Reebok Question “Memory of White”
The Paris-based fashion label Maison Margiela, which develops distinctively unusual ideals and upholds the belief that deconstruction and heritage go hand in hand, collaborated with Reebok to produce these shoes. The idea of “Recollection Of,” which is a method of recreating the memory of something that once existed but is no longer, served as the inspiration for these shoes. The end product is a redesigned, stripped-down, and essentialized version of a Reebok icon that is all that is left of the original.
Converse x Rick Owens DRKSTAR Chuck Taylor All Star 70
This sneaker marks the fourth collaboration between Converse and Rick Owens. Both the Hi and Ox versions of the DRKSTAR Chuck 70 include a dimensionalized curved toe cap. Other elements include an expanded tongue originally seen on the TURBODRK and TURBOWPN designs, as well as an upper made of heavy-weight 18 ox cotton twill. The DRKSTAR is offered in traditional black or white colour schemes.
Nike x Supreme SB Dunk High
The Nike SB Dunk High Supreme By Any Means Brazil pays homage to the 2002 Japanese-only Nike Dunk CO.JP colourway known as the Nike Dunk High Pro B Brazil. It has a leather upper made of yellow with green Swooshes and overlays. Customized “SUP” woven tongue labels, the words “By Any Means” and “Nike NYC” embroidered on the heels, the words “Supreme Team” embroidered on the collar, and the words “No Love” embroidered on the toes all give a playful touch.
Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 1
The Nike Air Max 1 Travis Scott Cactus Jack Brown was created in association with Travis Scott’s record label Cactus Jack and is inspired by the Nike ACG Pocket Knife hiking shoe. It has a tonal-brown Durabuck upper with layered mesh accents and reversible Swoosh emblems. The Gillie lacing system uses a drawstring to pay homage to classic trail runner characteristics. The design is finished at the base by a sole that has yellowed and a clouded Air unit.
New Balance x District Vision FuelCell RC Elite v2
With a mindfulness-driven implementation of performance technology, a new joint venture from New Balance and District Vision brings the idea of running as a universal human experience to life. A knit upper is combined with a carbon fibre plate and FuelCell cushioning midsole in the FuelCell RC Elite v2 for a free, lightweight feel with dynamic and quick energy return.