The 10 Best Fashion Collaborations of 2012

Image via Complex Original

When Supreme collaborated with Comme des Garçons SHIRT this spring, the line started forming almost immediately. Utilizing of-the-moment polka dot and putting it on hoodies and T-shirts, it was contrasted with ticking stripe Vans and five-panels that were all emblazoned with a reversed box logo. It gave literal meaning to the term "flipping the script."

When the first UNDFTD x BAPE collection dropped in spring, we were very impressed by the graphics and awesome Hawaiian shirts with coordinating shorts. Calling in a favor and having OFWGKTA's Lucas Vercetti model the gear gave the lookbook even more street cred, and the collection sold out almost instantly. The fall follow-up, with its sick varsities and rad camo hoodies, is just as covetable.

Mark McNairy, our man of next year in style, certainly has his hands busy. Between designing his own collection, Woolrich Woolen Mills, and Pharrell's Bee Line for Billionaire Boys Club line, he created a capsule collection of boots for Timberland. The streets and hypebeasts alike were buzzing about his interpretation of the 6-inch boot and the field boot. His plays with the colorways and adds his details like camo panels and colorful heel tabs, making for a product that was immediately noticeable by stylish guys everywhere. 

As a part of his photo exhibition entitled "Stay Lovely," photographer Kevin Amato teamed up with longtime collaborator and friend Shayne Oliver of Hood By Air, to create a a set of limited edition tees for a pop-up shop they curated. The "PIF" tee has become a street legend in the downtown scene of New York City, because if you missed the pop-up shop then you were shit out of luck. One person who definitely got one? Rap's new king of fashion A$AP Rocky, who's been seen wearing the tee on and off tour.

After successfully ruling the streetwear segment for most of 2012, the crew at Black Scale teamed up with their friends The A$AP Mob, to create a set of tees, hoodies, and snapbacks. The collab came about because of A$AP Rocky's affinity for the brand, rocking it on tour and for appearances, once the two crews met, the collab was born, and quickly sold out shortly after, 

Adam Kimmel is known for his toned down, utterly masculine design. That's why it's not a strech that his collaborators include Supreme and utilitarian workwear company Carhartt. Although their European WIP collection shows the 157-year-old clothing label knows a thing or two about staying current, this collection allowed the designer to put his own spin on the brand's storied goods. By playing with materials like moleskin, duck canvas, and wardrobe staples like blazers and parkas, Kimmel created outerwear and basics that performed and held up as good as the originals, while having a decidedly more luxurious feel.

Shortly after taking the reins as the creative directors at Kenzo, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim released a capsule collection from their own label Opening Ceremony with adidas Originals. The collection had some strong themes like swimming and cycling, but we just cared about the dope bandanna and watercolor prints.

Riding off the success of their commuter line, Levi's sought to tackle the everyday needs of the skateboarder next. Combining premium Cone Mills denim with Nike Dri-Fit technology proved to be a match made in heaven. The Tiffany Blue accents on the Trucker Jacket and jeans are a nice nod to the Nike SB culture, while the accompanying sneaker releases weren't to be slept on either.

When this collaboration was first announced, it was met with equal parts fear and dread. Would it maintain the quirky design Margiela is known for? Would it sell out in an instant? After we got a look at the full collection, the picture became a little clearer. By reinterpreting past designs, it was sort of a "Greatest Hits" edition for Margiela. For longtime fans, it was a nod to their dedication, and for stylish newcomers, it was a way of literally buying into the label's legacy. To top it off, H&M wanted to make the collection as accessible as possible, so it ramped up production and made it available at almost every one of its locations. Plenty of product, and easily found? That sounds like what the democratization of fashion should be.

The Palace x Umbro collection signifies what should happen when a small, independent brand teams up with a larger label for a limited-edition collaboration. Umbro got some sweet clothes, with heavy references to the 1990 World Cup, and a hefty dose of street cred. Meanwhile Palace went from underground skate brand to must-have streetwear label. The little guy gets blown up, and the big company looks cool. Sounds like a win/win.