10 Ways to Ruin a Sneaker Collaboration

When one plus one equals zero.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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The easiest way to get consumers to buy into a sneaker release is to associate it with another brand. Collaborations have helped build streetwear and sneaker culture into the hype-based industries that they are currently, and they've also produced some of the best sneakers over the past 10 years. A collaborations is at its best when both brands connect and put out a product that's not like anything else on the market. If only things were that easy.

Sneaker collaborations often go wrong, and there are reasons behind the failures. It's not just because the public wasn't feeling the sneaker, but often because the brands themselves were doing something wrong. People can tell when a product was put out just to fill a quota of collaborations for Fall/Winter 2013, and they don't like to cop essentially the same collaboration that's already been done by eight other brands. Collaborations are a source of originality that keeps sneaker culture churning, so when they go wrong, it's a disservice to everyone who wants something dope. To prevent this from happening, here's a look at 10 Ways to Ruin a Sneaker Collaboration.

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10. The collaborator shows no restraint.

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9. It's a watered-down version of a previous collaboration.

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8. It sounds good on paper, but just doesn't work out.

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7. The brands don't understand what each other does best.

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6. The focus is on special packaging and accessories rather than the sneaker.

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5. Neither brand puts forth their best effort.

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4. There's no improvement on the original design.

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3. Everyone else has done the same collaboration, and it doesn't stand out.

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2. It can be purchased everywhere and is no longer connected to the specific store or brand.

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1. The collaboration has no meaning.

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