Collab

A collab (collaboration) is a partnership between two or more brands, artists, or designers to create limited-edition products. At their best, collabs represent genuine cultural exchange where both parties bring authentic value—like Supreme x The North Face combining streetwear credibility with technical outdoor expertise, or Nike x Off-White merging athletic heritage with Virgil Abloh's design language. Collabs can introduce brands to new audiences, revive classic silhouettes, and create products neither party could make alone. However, the format has been increasingly exploited, with luxury brands purchasing street credibility through collaborations rather than earning it, and brands announcing partnerships purely for marketing impact rather than creative merit. The streetwear community has developed skepticism toward collabs that feel transactional, valuing partnerships with clear creative vision over those that simply combine logos.