The 9 most viral fashion collaborations of 2022

Two fashion houses merging for a unique collaboration is not common, in fact, it's downright unthinkable. When it was announced that Fendi and Versace would join forces for a collaboration (or rather a "swap"), the fashion world shuddered. Called Fendace , the collection originally debuted during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2022. The ready-to-wear collection consisted of handbags, including the Fendi Baguette, bathrobes, footwear, hoodies, T-shirts, and dresses. Among the prominent elements was a fusion of the emblems of the two brands (Versace's Medusa and Fendi 's recurring "F"). For these two iconic houses to come together, Donatella Versace and Kim Jones revolutionized the fashion industry in a completely unimaginable way, and yet it totally worked.

Easily one of the most hyped collaborations of the year, Adidas x Gucci was a perfect mix between luxury and sportswear. The collaborative collection exuded a sense of nostalgia as the aesthetic recalled the fitness craze of the '80s with a contemporary twist. Tracksuits , vibrant colors, headbands, socks, and polo shirts were just a few of the included pieces sold from the collection. Each item also featured the Gucci logo combined with Adidas ' signature Trefoil logo .

For its Spring/Summer 2022 collection, British fashion house Burberry teamed up with Supreme for an exclusive collection. The brands came together to create 14 new items that were divided into two capsule collections. Inside the capsules were the coat, jeans, denim shorts, padded jacket with shearling collar, silk pajamas, and joggers , to name a few. Starring in campaign photos released ahead of the launch date, the brands worked with supermodel Irina Shayk and skateboarder Sage Elsesser. The collaborative collection officially launched in early March with prices ranging from $240 to $2,000.

Since 2022 is considered the year of Barbiecore, of course, there was at least one fashion house that featured a Barbie collaboration this year. In early January, Balmain teamed up with Barbie and presented an all-pink fantasy. The limited-edition collaborative collection included more than 60 gender-fluid pieces straight from Barbie's dream world, including dresses, bags, sweaters, jackets and robes. In addition to the physical pieces, the collaboration included three NFTs featuring Ken and Barbie wearing various looks from the collection .

If there's one thing Gucci knows how to do, it's how to get celebrities to agree to be dressed exclusively by them. While the list of Gucci-only A-listers is too long to count, there's no doubt that one of the most sought-after people on that list is Harry Styles . Since becoming friends with Alessandro Michele and only wearing Gucci for the past several years, Styles has expanded his relationship with the esteemed brand, creating a collaborative collection titled Gucci Ha Ha Ha . As fun as the title sounds, the collection consists of '70s-inspired silhouettes, graphic tees, colorful patterns, and lively accessories.

Most of the time, when designers reference college style, the fashion legacy of Historically Black Schools and Universities ( HBCUs ) is left out of the conversation. In mid-March, Ralph Lauren innovated in the industry after launching an HBCU-inspired capsule collection. In collaboration with Spelman and Morehouse, Ralph Lauren paid homage to the traditions and historical significance of HBCU fashion. The collection consisted of a range of items including knitwear, dresses, suits and accessories.

Of all the brands that could have been associated, the joined forces of Balenciaga and Adidas were a perfect match. The collaboration was first confirmed when the pieces were unveiled during Balenciaga's Spring/Summer 2023 show at the New York Stock Exchange. The distinctive aesthetic of the two brands melded seamlessly as shoppers searched for bomber jackets, duffels, pullovers, footwear, dresses, and handbags to add to their wardrobes. In official campaign photos for the collaboration's second drop, Adidas and Balenciaga brought in stars like Bella Hadid , Isabelle Huppert, Han So Hee, Jermell Charlo, and Khadim Sock .

There has been a serious case ofY2K nostalgia that the fashion industry still hasn't been able to shake off. Every Scandinavian it girl 's favorite brand, Ganni , channeled her inner Britney Spears and collaborated with Juicy Couture in homage to the early 2000s. Velvet tracksuits were a staple of her time and were seen in celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Richie and Britney Spears. Channeling that same Y2K energy but with a modern twist, Ganni and Juicy Couture collaborated on a 13-piece collection consisting of tracksuits, graphic tees, jeweled sweatshirts and figure-hugging leggings. Having two very different aesthetics, such a collaboration shouldn't have worked, but it did. Staying true to Ganni's significant commitment to sustainability, the collaboration was crafted using recycled materials and organic cotton.

After a successful collaboration in 2019, Prada and Adidas teamed up again earlier this year for the launch of their Re-Nylon collection. Providing all the necessary items for a luxury sports wardrobe , products included footwear, duffel bags, backpacks, bucket hats, and tracksuits . For an added touch, the two brands placed an emphasis on sustainability by using recycled nylon to produce each piece.