In the incredible world of sneakers, celebrity collaborations have become a key trend and have bridged the gap between stardom and streetwear. From successful sportsmen to renowned musicians, let’s take a look into some of the most popular celebrity sneaker collaborations, featuring illustrious names and renowned brands in the sneaker industry – Nike, Reebok, and Adidas.
Adidas
Adidas has made significant strides with celebrity collaborations, partnering with a host of influential names. One of the standout partnerships is with music maestro Pharrell Williams, who lent his creative genius to the Chanel x Adidas Hu NMD sneakers. Williams’ vision combined with Adidas’ craftsmanship gave birth to a unique sneaker that effortlessly blends luxury and streetwear, setting a precedent in the industry.
Yet, perhaps the most prominent Adidas collaboration is with Kanye West and his Yeezy line. This partnership has reshaped the landscape of sneaker culture, with Yeezy generating an impressive £1.5 billion in annual sales for Adidas. West’s avant-garde aesthetic coupled with Adidas’ technical expertise has resulted in a sneaker line that transcends fashion, becoming a cultural phenomenon.
In more recent times, Adidas has tapped into the creativity of British skateboarder and artist, Blondey McCoy. Since 2019, they have collaborated on a multitude of designs, culminating in their latest offering – the Blondey McCoy x Adidas Gazelle Indoor, launched in April 2023.
Priced at £98, this unique trainer fuses elements of McCoy’s passions – skateboarding and football, delivering a design that mirrors the cultural zeitgeist and resonates with a broad spectrum of sneaker enthusiasts. Each Adidas collaboration underscores the brand’s commitment to fostering creativity and pushing boundaries in the realm of sneaker design.
Nike
In the long history of Nike’s celebrity collaborations, the collaboration with Michael Jordan still remains to be one of the biggest deals in history. The genesis of this partnership traces back in Nike’s history to 1984, when the Air Jordan 1 was exclusively crafted for Jordan, marking the debut of the emblematic ‘Jumpman’ logo.
The prototype, dubbed the Air Ship, stirred controversy as it was banned by the NBA due to a lack of white colour. Nonetheless, a year later, the iconic Air Jordan 1 was made available to the public, sparking a basketball sneaker revolution that has endured for decades.
In recent years, the Air Jordan line has been revitalised through collaborations with contemporary icons. Most notably, the Air Jordan 1 Low Travis Scott x Fragment stands out amidst the rapper’s collaboration with the sportswear giant. This unique blend of Scott’s distinctive aesthetic and the classic Jordan silhouette has resonated deeply with sneaker aficionados, making it a coveted piece in the sneaker world.
As well as this, the brand’s collaborations extend beyond the realms of basketball and music. Nike has also worked with tennis powerhouse Serena Williams, global music sensation Justin Timberlake, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to uniting sports, music, and fashion through their distinctive sneaker collaborations.
Reebok
Among the most eagerly anticipated Reebok releases was the collaboration with supermodel Gigi Hadid. In a tantalising Instagram reveal, Hadid showcased a black sneaker sporting vivid orange shoelaces – a teaser of her forthcoming partnership with Reebok.
The first offering, the Reebok Aztrek Double X Gigi Hadid, was unveiled in early December 2018, just in time to make it onto holiday wish lists. This limited edition launch marked a new chapter in Reebok’s history, merging the model’s fashion-forward sensibility with Reebok’s sporty aesthetic.
On another note, the iconic rap star Cardi B has also made her mark on the Reebok brand. Early in her music career, Cardi B was selected as the face of Reebok, a partnership that has since seen the rapper infuse various silhouettes with her distinct style. The chunky, metallic Reebok Classics, with their bold ’90s aesthetic, are considered an homage to New York’s vibrant nightlife.
They continue the narrative of Cardi B’s previous NYC-inspired collection, often showcasing audacious colour palettes and eclectic patterns. These collaborations, amongst others, have served to cement Reebok’s reputation for fostering creativity and breaking boundaries in sneaker design.