5 must-have exclusive fashion collaborations

Missed out on adidas X Ravi Restaurant trainers? Check out these other cool collaborations.

Whether it’s high-end to high street, from Mulberry and Alexa Chung to Topshop and Kate Moss, the fashion industry has always understood the power of a good collaboration. The most recent example, right here in Dubai, is the adidas X Ravi Restaurant trainers, which saw the sports brand partner with the much-loved, local Pakistani restaurant. 

If you, like us at FACT, have been desperate to snap up those sneakers, we feel your pain. After launching, the trendy trainers have been #trending – they sold-out not once but twice, and the second Dubai Mall drop had people queuing from 4am. So, if the words limited edition fill you with FOMO, fear not. Here are the latest fashion collaborations you need to know about.

adidas x Gucci

Adidas is really putting its best foot forward right now, as it also recently worked on a fashion collaboration with Gucci and created the luxuriously titled, Exquisite Gucci. Combining seventies retro with urban vibes, the collection includes tracksuits, jackets and tennis dresses. Take your pick from plenty of statement pieces with bright colours and brighter prints, for example the mustard sports bags are decorated with diamond shapes and eye-catching logos.

Creative director of Gucci, Alessandro Michele – he’s the long-haired fashion icon who was played by Jared Leto in House of Gucci – is a big fan of the sportswear brand. Plus, Michele has made sure that the trademark three strips sit fashionably alongside the Gucci name.

Dior by Birkenstock 

For the first time, Dior and Birkenstock have worked together on a fashion collaboration to create stylish sandals for men. The Dior Men’s Winter 2022 to 2023 collection pays homage to Christian Dior’s love of gardening – he once planted 150 almond trees in his backyard, no less – hence the floral-themed design. The campaign images are Monet meets models, as male models hold flowers while wearing the flowery patterned shoes. 

Dior’s Artistic Director, Kim Jones, has reimagined Birkenstock’s humble Tokio back-strapped mule and Milano back-strapped sandal, and transformed it into a high-end, summer staple. This isn’t the first time the German company have collaborated with a top fashion brand, as earlier this year they partnered with Carrie Bradshaw’s favourite, Manolo Blahnik, and added a little bling via gems to its sandals.

HUGO and Mr. Bathing Ape 

Say the word HUGO and the first image that may come to your mind is its slick suits, worn by the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Gerard Butler. The brand is taking it to the streets with its latest collaboration, as it has joined forces with Mr Bathing Ape. The HUGO x Mr. Bathing Ape capsule is a limited-edition collection of brand signatures reinterpreted with a streetwear vibe. 

The Pre-Fall 2022 collection reimagines the classic BAPE CAMO pattern with a signature HUGO red twist. The capsule covers hoodies, sweatpants, jackets, shorts, and logo T-shirts. Plus, accessories include skateboard, caps, socks and bodywear basics, all stamped with signature branding. 

Michael Kors and Ellesse

You can look good while working up a sweat, thanks to Michael Kors and Ellesse’s fashion collaboration. Mr Kors has elevated athleisure into the realms of high-fashion with his new 24-piece collection, and drawn on his own experiences working as a night manager at a tennis club in Long Island, New York. 

The campaign is fronted by Emily Ratajkowski and during the shoot she has managed to make everything from socks with sandals – yes, really – to tracksuits look good. The wide-range of seventies-inspired pieces include polo shirts, crop tops and swimwear. Plus, Kor’s signature Hudson backpack in orange, red and blue, complete with swirly designs and a cute zipper with the two company’s logos.

Top Gun: Maverick and Ray-Ban Aviators

Combining fashion with function, Ray-Ban Aviators have a fitting origin story. The sunglasses were developed in 1937 for the US Air Force in order to reduce the high-altitude glare for pilots. But they took off after the release of Top Gun in 1986 – Tom Cruise in sunglasses can have that effect – and they have since been on the faces of countless celebrities. 

Now, 35 years later and to celebrate the release of Top Gun: Maverick, Ray-Ban have released a capsule collection with three timeless Aviator frames: Aviator Classic, Outdoorsman and Shooter. Each pair comes in gold with classic G-15 green lenses and the iconic signature logo etched in the same tone instead of the original white. The frames are presented in an exclusive camel-coloured case with a slimline design made specifically for travel.