Image via Complex Original
Each year/season, brands and designers release items and collections with the obvious intention of pleasing consumers and building their respective businesses (and names). But with a market and industry so large and diverse, only certain products garner an amount of attention that can become almost self-propelling, feeding on its own buzz until the hype separates the product from its competitors. Perhaps it's the names attached to the project, other times it's just the pure genius of the design. Whatever the reason, there's an explanation as to why people talked about them, lined up outside stores to cop, and nearly caused riots. From Supreme to one OVO lint roller, see which items and collections got the most buzz. Here are The Most Hyped Items of the Year So Far.
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Nike Tech Fleece Sweatpants
Nike's Tech Fleece sweatpants can be summed up simply as incredible. They look good, are extremely comfortable, and use some unparalleled innovation that is to be expected from the brand. It's no surprise then that many rushed to their computers when the sweatpants were restocked early this month. As was the case last year, they were met with same great demand. One thing though: the fact that there are still a few sizes in the black (S, L, XL, and XXL) and grey (XXL) is a mystery. If you're smart, you won't let other people's inattention be your downfall.
adidas x Rick Owens Sneakers
adidas and Rick Owen's sneaker collaboration caught the attention of many, if not only to see what the two would come up with—especially given Owen's distinct aesthetic. What resulted, as we have now seen, is a pair of sneakers so futuristic, so next level, it's hard to deny desiring them. And very few did. Granted, the style may not work with everyone's wardrobe, but it is a pair that had people talking and moved fast even with a high price tag.
John Elliott + Co. Villain hoodies
The Villain hoodie kickstarted the rise of John Elliott + Co. The hoodie was first released this fall, but the side-zip is still getting serious play. That detailing, plus the quality of the garment and the inner kangaroo pocket made this a piece that was highly-coveted by dudes with advanced cozy style.
Off-White's Debut Collection
Virgil Abloh had success with his Pyrex Vision line, with tees and hoodies selling out and getting co-signs from Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, Victor Cruz, and other modern-day style icons. So the wild buzz around his Off-White line, an extension of Pyrex, came as no surprise.
The first Off-White collection—spring/summer 2014—was previewed in December, easily building on Virgil's existing fanbase, and converting new fans who weren't as Internet-savvy as Pyrex's initial wearers. While the pieces didn't sell out as instantly as Pyrex—maybe due in part to the higher price points—there was endless talk surrounding it in both streetwear circles and from the higher-end of the fashion spectrum. Guaranteed, there are also some guys out there who are dying to get the pieces out of their digital shopping carts and into their actual closets.
Trés Bien's Debut Collection
Trés Bien is without a doubt one of the best menswear stores in the world, which is why an in-house collection by founders and brothers Simon and Hannes Hogeman was not only highly anticipated, but long over due. The pieces reflect the genesis of the retailer—the perfect middle ground of streetwear and high fashion. The 13-piece collection perfectly executed the lane that blends high-low into something unique and necessary, and the debut season is probably why a few rent payments around the world were missed.
Supreme Box Logo Tee
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Supreme re-released its Box Logo tee, one of the first shirts sold by the brand, or as some people might call it, one of the greatest streetwear T-shirts of all time. Of course, old and new Supreme fans alike waited by their computers and lined up outside stores to get a piece of history. Honestly, this may have been a drop more intense than even the biggest Supreme heads couldn't have imagined.
Nike + R.T. Air Force 1
Hype is built for a multitude of reasons: the names attached, an expert marketing and buzz-building roll-out, or just the rarity of the label combination. Sometimes, you get all three. At the top of the year, Riccardo Tisci revealed he would be collaborating with Nike to rework the classic Air Force 1s, a personal favorite of his.
Any teaser following the announcement garnered much buzz. Then, Tisci and Joan Smalls previewed the sneakers in Vogue. Then a release date; then more enticing details; then a line at 21 Mercer. Now, they may go down as one of the most talked-about releases and collaborations of the year.
Yeezus tour merch
Anything with Kanye's name is bound to be one of the most hyped items of the year. Along with a crazy amount of wild moments that kept people talking, the official merchandise for the "Yeezus Tour" was another huge element that had people talking and copping. Most of the graphics and art came from Wes Lang, and despite controversy, tote bags, bomber jackets, and T-shirts featuring the Confederate flag were snapped up instantly, selling out at PacSun, concert venues, and "Yeezus Tour" pop-up shops. The hype carried on into 2014 with the second leg of the tour and a few new items added into the mix. It's safe to say these were not treated like your normal tour merch.
Supreme x Nike Foamposite
The moment news dropped that Supreme was collaborating with Nike on a pair of Foamposites, the Internet (basically) crashed. Hypebeasts and sneakerheads may as well have grabbed their lawn chairs and lined up outside Supreme stores right then and there. Except, things weren't that simple. Come Wednesday evening, the night before the collab's release, a massive crowed mobbed outside of the Supreme store in SoHo and things got out of hand, with a riot nearly breaking out. The N.Y.P.D. very quickly canceled the in-store launch. To say these were one of the most hyped items would almost be an understatement.
Red Octobers
Last spring, Kim Kardashian (West) posted a teaser of what would be the Nike Air Yeezy 2 "Red October" on her Instagram. Not long after, Kanye himself debuted them on SNL during his performance. That, as we all know, spiraled into celebrity co-signs, a contest where 50 pairs of the kicks would be given to fans, sightings on the Yeezus tour, and a random release that pissed off everyone who missed out. Let's not forget the kid who turned down $98,000 in exchange for his Red Octobers. Which is all to say: Ye's last sneakers for Nike could go down as the most anticipated release of the year.
OVO Lint Roller
During Game 2 of the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets playoff series, Drake was seen pulling out a lint roller mid-game to freshen up his pants. Some poked fun, but the Raptors found a way to use Drake being Drake to their advantage. After a few mock-ups by fans, the organization, along with Procter & Gamble, created lint rollers with both the team's logo and the OVO owl. Obviously, you could cop a $5 lint roller at Duane Reade, but those woudln't have Drizzy's stamp, which is (probably) why people felt the need to list them on eBay and why someone paid $55,100 to get one. Yes, a lint roller sold for a 11,000x mark up.
