Fashion Brand Collaborations: Why There Are So Many Right Now (2024)

The key to any brand success is remaining relevant to the target consumer and resonating with them through culture and consumer needs. This is even more vital in the heavily saturated world of media and in a time when consumer demands are amidst a shift as a result of the global pandemic. It could be for these reasons why in the last year, there has been a surge in fashion industry brands collaborating.

Perhaps we’ve learnt that unless we stand together, we fall apart. And that a successful creative collaboration can generate a serious buzz.

Amber Coleman, Senior Account Executive, looks at some of the more recent fashion collaborations to date and discusses why luxury brands are choosing to collaborate with the mass market.

Why do fashion brands collaborate with each other?

Collaborations are important for brands as they enable reach to a new audience. More crucially for fashion brands, collaborations unlock the ability to deliver a collection that is outside of their typical design, in a refreshing and different style. Typically collaborations are very much a short term phenomenon, lasting a season, which also puts emphasis on the limited edition nature. As such they sell out fast which drives further brand hype.

To Reach “Aspirational” Audiences

Yes collaborations reach new audiences, but one trend we’re seeing in particular for Luxury is the chance to cast the net wider, reaching the Aspirational Audience. The Aspirational Audiences are those who typically cannot afford Luxury but aspire to the brands, the lifestyle, the look. It’s a key market, with37% of global consumers fitting into this category – a huge audience for brands to be tapping into.

Swedish fast-fashion brand, H&M, has collaborated with many designers over the years: Pringle of Scotland (2021), Giambattista Valli (2019), Moschino (2018), Erden (2017), Kenzo (2016), Balmain (2015), Alexander Wang (2014) and Isabel Marant (2013) and it’s these collections which lead to mass queues to the stores on the morning of the collections launching and most of the collections selling out.

This high fashion meets low fashion creates exposure and publicity for both H&M and the designer, and ultimately provides new reach to the lower end of the market. Much like a Venn diagram, there will be an overlap of fans of both brands, but there will likely be a growth in new customers.

Fashion Brand Collaborations: Why There Are So Many Right Now (1)

Another example is , Byredo’s, Ben Gorham, collaborated with Ikea to create a more affordable line of the brand’s cult-favorite candles. Gorham and Ikea collaborated on a scented candle line, called Osynlig. Similar to the H&M, Byredo engages with the aspirational audience by creating an affordable product; portraying high end design and quality to consumers at an affordable price point.

What about Luxury Reputation?

From our State of Luxe Research that a High Price Point being deemed as a core factor to Luxury is low – and much lower amongst younger demographics. What makes something Luxury to the Gen Z and Millennial consumer is not about the cost but rather about the quality of something and that thing adding value above the rest of the market.

Fashion Brand Collaborations: Why There Are So Many Right Now (2)

Collaborations provide Exclusivity and Scarcity

Some luxury brands are creating a sense of exclusivity and scarcity for their audiences, driving demand for the product even higher. We saw this with the Dior and Nike collaboration on the Air Jordan 1 High OG Dior limited-edition sneaker. The sneaker was designed by creative director Kim Jones during Dior’s pre-fall 2020 show. In total 13,000 pairs of the sneakers were produced and priced at $2,000 for the low-top version and $2,200 for the high-top version.

Dior launched an online draw in June 2021 (delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic), creating a dedicated microsite where customers could register to purchase the sneaker. Dior’s president, Pietro Beccari, told WWD that five million people registered on the microsite upon the site’s launch. The limited range of sneakers has increased high demand for the product. The fashion collaboration shows how brands can create extreme hype and demand when done properly. Dior and Nike, two massive style brands in different markets coming together and merging “luxury streetwear”.

Fashion Brand Collaborations: Why There Are So Many Right Now (3)

The New Gen Z Conscious Audiences

Luxury brands are also collaborating with alternative brands in order to reach Gen Z audiences. A great example is the collaboration between Gucci x The North Face, announced in November 2020 on Gen Z’s playground, TikTok, with the campaign celebrating the great outdoors. The capsule collection between Gucci and The North Face arrived at a moment when luxury brand revenues had slowed down because of the pandemic. An interesting collaboration, as in my opinion The North Face is portrayed as a fearless and relatable brand compared to the super glamorous Gucci. But for Gucci, connecting with a brand that has serious sustainable bonafides tells an important story to younger audiences who value and demand environmental stewardship from brands. For The North Face, the collection reinvigorates the gotta-have-it factor that High Fashion brings, and that Gucci delivers with a free-spirited campaign that drives cultural relevance so critical to this audience.

Fashion Brand Collaborations: Why There Are So Many Right Now (4)

The #thenorthfacexgucci gained over 8.6m views on TikTok, which shows the popularity among stylish Gen-Z TikTok stars and celebrities. There is no question this collaboration has a huge driving force in reaching younger audiences. Especially post-COVID, the data overwhelmingly shows that Gen Z prefers brands that stand for something and that live up to their values through action, with 89% expressing brand preference for brands that seek to help solve community problems. This brand collaboration example shows brands don’t need to reinvent themselves to attract Gen Z, but they do need to meet this generation that live to support and connect.

It’s worth noting this is not The North Face’s first Luxury Fashion collaboration rodeo. Last year, MM6 Maison Margiela launched a collection with the brand. The collection again connected North Face to high fashion, establishing its design prowess amongst the style conscious yet active consumer.

Fashion Brand Collaborations: Why There Are So Many Right Now (5)

Fashion Brands Collaborate with Influencers

Beyond brands collaborating with other brands to reach a new audience and establish cross-sector credentials, we’re seeing more and more brands collaborating with Influencers. It’s not just other brands who have highly engaged audiences – arguably, it is influencers who have higher engagement than brands. It’s this recipe which is seeing brands sell out collections even before they have launched. We’re due to share a blog post on this with some great examples, so stay tuned.

Ultimately…

Brand Collaborations are enabling brands to create in sectors they wouldn’t traditionally have ventured, giving them access to a newer (and in many cases younger) audiences, and often shifting the brand market perception, creating cultural relevance. For the consumer, collaborations are too, created new and

exciting products and experiences.
Here at VERB we pride ourselves as luxury experts, and have a deep passion for staying connected to what the market is doing and where it is going. If you’re looking for some advice or are keen to explore how to collaborate with influencer talent,we are here to help. Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!

Fashion Brand Collaborations: Why There Are So Many Right Now (2024)

FAQs

Why are brands doing collabs? ›

One reason for collaboration is to open new, complementary markets and get your brand in front of potential customers. A collaboration will vastly increase your brand reach as you're talking to two sets of customers rather than one and gives a signal from one brand that the other brand can be trusted.

Why do fashion designers collaborate? ›

The cross-over of marketing and resources can be mutually beneficial for both parties involved by the exposure of each other's networks. In addition, the designer-brand collaboration can create uniqueness and innovation by working together to develop new products that the market has not yet seen.

What is the next target designer collaboration 2022? ›

See Every Look From Target's Fall 2022 Designer Collab With La Ligne, Sergio Hudson & Kika Vargas. By now, fall has become synonymous with more than just seasonal changes: Target's annual designer collaboration which, this time around, includes Sergio Hudson, Kika Vargas, and La Ligne.

What makes a fashion collaboration successful? ›

HILDA BATAYNEH: The most successful celebrity collaborations happen when the talent is truly invested in the project and engage in the process from start to finish. This includes also conceptualizing the campaign and using it as an opportunity to tell their story. It's important for them to have a passion for fashion.

Why are collaborations risky? ›

Collaboration often involves sharing confidential information and access to internal systems. Hackers may try to exploit vulnerabilities in the collaborative ecosystem to access data and digital assets. Microsoft Teams mitigates this risk with countermeasures like encryption for data in transit and chat.

Why big brands want niche collaborations? ›

There's an increase in sales and profits.

One of the biggest benefits of partnering with the right brand is the potential for increased sales and profits, without spending more for advertising and marketing. Stretch your marketing budget by using influencers or brand collaborators -- ideal when money is limited!

What is the purpose of collaboration? ›

Why is collaboration important? Collaboration improves the way your team works together and problem solves. This leads to more innovation, efficient processes, increased success, and improved communication. Through listening to and learning from team members, you can help each other reach your goals.

What are the 5 benefits of a good collaboration? ›

5 Benefits of collaboration – and how to unleash them!
  • Increased communication.
  • More flexibility.
  • Increased productivity.
  • Learning potential.
  • More engaged employees.
Dec 9, 2022

How is the fashion industry doing 2022? ›

After experiencing 18 months of robust growth (early 2021 through mid-2022), the fashion industry is again facing a challenging climate. Hyperinflation and depressed customer sentiments have already resulted in declining growth rates in the second half of 2022.

Who is the most successful designer from next in fashion? ›

Minju Kim was the first and only winner of Next In Fashion. Since the show, she's built a respectable career and launched a product line.

Will next in fashion return? ›

Nearly two years later, Next in Fashion is returning for a second season. France, announced via Instagram that his cohost for the second season will be none other than supermodel Gigi Hadid. "Who would have thought when we met over Facetime 4 years ago that we'd be hosting NEXT IN FASHION TOGETHER! You read that right!

How effective are brand collaborations? ›

Brand collaboration can bring new relevance to each party involved in the partnership, presenting new opportunities to their customer bases that can, in some cases, be unexpected and generate a real interest that leads to improved engagement.

Why do designers collaborate with H&M? ›

Both parties want to reach more and sell more. The collaborations widen the audience to a much higher level. Let's think about an example such as Balmain x H&M. Thanks to the collaboration, H&M reaches people who would be willing to pay more for luxury brands — just not to the extent of Balmain's real price point.

What increases collaboration? ›

Offering constructive criticism is key to improvement but ensure you convey an appreciation of their effort. Responding to each idea can be time consuming so encourage peer-to-peer discussions of ideas to further increase collaborative efforts.

Why are collabs so popular? ›

“Brand collaborations are growing in popularity because they're a royalty-free way for brands to reach new but relevant audiences,” explains Claudine Harris, CEO of brand matchmaking company Miai. “It's a credible way for brands to grow their awareness and exposure, which can lead to increased sales too.

What is the negative effect of collaboration? ›

Because the work is collaborative, an employee who misses deadlines or doesn't complete their assigned work can negatively impact the work of the entire team. This can lead to frustration and lack of trust within the other employees, reducing the effectiveness of their work and creating tension in the workplace.

Is collaboration considered cheating? ›

When students are working in groups, searching for a solution to a problem, looking through possible answers for the best one, or sorting out material to include in a presentation, that's collaboration. When one student in the group solves the problem and everyone else copies the answer, that's cheating.

Why companies need more collaboration in the future? ›

It Increases Productivity

Through bringing together right and left-brain thinkers, your employees will be able to arrive at a solution in less time. This will build momentum and excitement as the group can see all the cogs of the company working together.

What is the #1 reason why influencers want to work with brands? ›

The #1 reason that influencers will engage on an influencer marketing partnership is because they love the brand and often organically post about them.

Why collaboration is key to success? ›

When everybody comes together and works as one, workflows become smoother, tasks can be achieved quicker and effectively, healthy relationships can be formed, and productivity can be improved. Without a doubt, this in turn boosts morale, catapults motivation levels, and benefits all stakeholders alike.

What are the 7 keys of collaboration? ›

Seven Keys to Creative Collaboration
  • It's voluntary. Forced collaboration isn't collaboration. ...
  • People are dependable. ...
  • There's trust and vulnerability. ...
  • The structure is loose . . . but there is a structure. ...
  • We share a vision. ...
  • The ability to goof around. ...
  • We embrace candor and conflict.
Jun 20, 2016

What are the 4 types of collaboration? ›

As follows is a brief description of the four main types of collaboration known to us today (Alliances, Portfolios, Innovation Networks, and Ecosystems), and the importance of each.

What are the 5 elements of collaboration? ›

Without one dominant classification of key elements of team collaboration, we have instead chosen to focus on five key areas that play a deciding role in the quality and efficiency of collaboration: communication, coordination, transparency, accountability, and trust.

Why collaboration is important in the 21st century world? ›

Working with others makes people happier, improves their reflection and opens their eyes to new skills. Being an effective collaborator means not only being able to work with others, but also being able to learn from, share with, and express oneself to them.

What are the three 3 important aspects of collaboration? ›

7 Essential Elements of Collaboration
  • Cooperation.
  • Assertiveness.
  • Autonomy.
  • Responsibility/Accountability.
  • Communication.
  • Coordination.
  • Mutual Trust and Respect.

What are the six principles of collaboration? ›

6 principles of effective collaboration
  • Efficiency. Meetings are an essential element to collaboration but over the years, they've gotten a bad rap. ...
  • Trust. ...
  • Empathy. ...
  • Positivity. ...
  • Clarity. ...
  • Accountability.
Mar 13, 2020

What is the biggest fashion trend of 2022? ›

13 Fashion Trends That Ruled 2022: Balletcore, Barbiecore, Sheer...
  • Low-rise. Most Popular. ...
  • Neon Green. Most Popular. ...
  • Oversized Suits. Most Popular. ...
  • Skirt-over-pants. Most Popular. ...
  • Sheer (and lace!) Most Popular. wellness. ...
  • Shiny. Most Popular. wellness. ...
  • Unbuttoned Pants. Most Popular. wellness. ...
  • Vintage. Most Popular. wellness.
Dec 29, 2022

What is the biggest problem in the fashion industry? ›

Product counterfeiting is one of the biggest challenges facing fashion brands today when looking for growth and expansion opportunities in international markets.

What are the current issues in fashion? ›

Five challenges facing fashion retail in 2022
  • 1 Rising shop prices. ...
  • 2 End of the high street cost 'holiday' ...
  • 3 Brexit bureaucracy abounds. ...
  • 4 Continued supply chain chaos. ...
  • 5 Turning sustainability pledges into reality.
Jan 4, 2022

Who leads the world in fashion? ›

France is the leading country for the fashion industry in the world, according to the Brands Countries IPX by IFDAQ. With more than 2,300 index points, France was ahead of Italy (2,205 points) and the U.S. (1,866 points).

Who is the No 1 fashion designer in the world? ›

1. Coco Chanel. Born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, “Coco” was an exquisite French fashion designer and founder of the well-known CHANEL brand.

Who is the world's best female fashion designer? ›

9 Iconic Women Designers — And Their Creations That Made Them Famous
  • Ann Lowe: Formal Wear Fit For A First Lady. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images. ...
  • Coco Chanel: LBDs & Tweed Sets. KAMMERMAN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images. ...
  • Diane von Furstenberg: The Wrap Dress. ...
  • Donna Karan: Modular Garments. ...
  • ‌Miuccia Prada: A Jolie-Laide Aesthetic.
Mar 20, 2022

What is the future of fashion industry? ›

Sustainability and digitization are the two major categories that will determine and change fashion trends in the future. No brand or retailer will be able to avoid them. Sustainability and digitization are anything but opposites. In fact, many sustainable developments can only be implemented through digital processes.

What are the upcoming fashion trends for 2022? ›

9 Top Style Updates for Fall
  • Wider, looser jeans.
  • Loafers with attitude.
  • A wear-with-boots dress.
  • A leather or suede skirt.
  • A blue sweater.
  • A chic shirt-jacket.
  • A leggings replacement.
  • Real pants.
Sep 8, 2022

Is the fashion industry growing or declining 2022? ›

The sales figures for 2022 are forecast at $473.42 billion. This represents a fashion industry growth rate of 8.3 percent from 2021's figures.

Do consumers like brand collaborations? ›

71% of Consumers Enjoy Co-Branding Partnerships, Encouraging More Companies to Market Products Together.

What is the biggest barrier to successful collaboration? ›

Identifying barriers to collaboration
  • Lack of time. Even though effective collaboration often saves time, a lack of time is often a key reason why collaboration does not occur. ...
  • Lack of scope and focus. ...
  • Organisational culture. ...
  • People and politics. ...
  • Tools and facilities. ...
  • Confidentiality. ...
  • Proximity.
Jun 8, 2021

What are the benefits of collaboration in industry? ›

  • Achieve Mutual Growth. Collaboration helps small businesses compete with larger brands by combining knowledge, consumer reach and technology. ...
  • Expand Your Network. ...
  • Save Time. ...
  • Fuel Innovation. ...
  • Expand Service/Product Portfolio. ...
  • Share Knowledge. ...
  • Solve Business Problems. ...
  • Save Money.
Oct 26, 2021

Why are people obsessed with designer brands? ›

For some consumers, a luxury good can go a long way in increasing self-esteem or providing a sense of belonging. A sense of accomplishment is another reason why some people buy luxury goods.

Why are designers collaborating? ›

The cross-over of marketing and resources can be mutually beneficial for both parties involved by the exposure of each other's networks. In addition, the designer-brand collaboration can create uniqueness and innovation by working together to develop new products that the market has not yet seen.

Who is H&M biggest competitor? ›

H&M competitors include Arcadia Group, Uniqlo, Abercrombie & Fitch Company and Avenue Stores. H&M ranks 1st in Overall Culture Score on Comparably vs its competitors.

What are the 5 ways of boosting collaboration? ›

11 ways to boost team collaboration
  • Foster collaboration as a value. ...
  • Establish communication conventions. ...
  • Invite co-creation. ...
  • Encourage open communication… ...
  • Lead by example. ...
  • Build time for team bonding. ...
  • Highlight successful teamwork. ...
  • Offer mentorship opportunities.
Sep 22, 2021

Do collaborations increase sales? ›

Not only do sales increase, but cycle times decrease and conversion rates jump. Collaboration promotes sales into different parts of target customer organizations, as well as different products from different parts of the selling organization.

What to do if a brand wants to collab? ›

Advice for Influencers: What to Do When a Brand Reaches Out to...
  1. Step 1: Ask the brand what they're looking for in the collaboration. ...
  2. Step 2: Ask the brand their goals for the collaboration. ...
  3. Step 3: Ask the brand about the timeline. ...
  4. Step 4: Don't be afraid to ask the brand about payment.
May 20, 2018

Why are collaborations good for business? ›

By combining the effort and expertise of different organisations, all partners in the network are better able to innovate and grow, and increase their competitiveness on many levels.

What to do if a brand wants to collab on Instagram? ›

How to Run Your First Brand x Brand Collaboration on Instagram:
  1. #1: Identify Your Campaign Goal.
  2. #2: Find the Right Collab Partner.
  3. #3: Understand Your Value (& What You Bring to the Table)
  4. #4: Reach Out the Right Way.
  5. #5: Be Open to Negotiate.
  6. #6: Leverage for the Best Possible Results.
  7. #7: Get Flirtatious.
Jun 19, 2020

How do you politely reject a collaboration offer? ›

Thank you so much for thinking of me for THIS PROJECT THAT I'M SURELY NOT GOING TO DO. Unfortunately, this isn't a good fit for me at the moment because INSERT REASON HERE. Please keep me in mind for future projects and events, I enjoy your brand and I'd love to work with you another time.

Do you get paid for collabs? ›

There are paid and gifted brand collaborations on Instagram, and it all depends on your mutual deal. Many influencers do get paid for brand promotion they collaborate with, so the prices are between $100 – $250 per post if the influencer has under 50,000 followers; and $1000+ per post for 100,000 followers or more.

How many followers do you need to collab with brands? ›

Usually, brands won't consider you an influencer (or micro-influencer) without having at least 2,000-2,500 followers in your community. If you want to collaborate with brands on Instagram as an influencer, we recommend working on building up your community before approaching brands.

How do you know if a collab is real? ›

10 Red Flags to Spot Influencer Scams
  1. “DM to Collab” Comments. ...
  2. Messages Aren't From Their Main Account. ...
  3. They Offer Ambassadorship Right Away. ...
  4. They Ask You to Buy the Product Up Front with their Discount. ...
  5. The Brand Emails You From a Free Email Account. ...
  6. The Brand's Instagram has Fishy Numbers (aka Fake Followers)

Why are people asking me to collab on Instagram? ›

An Instagram collaboration is a marketing strategy for achieving growth and greater reach on Instagram. There are various types of Instagram collaborations where an: Influencer and brand work together. Brand and brand work together.

Is collaboration free or paid? ›

1. Can collaborations be paid? Yes, influencers collaborate with brands to market their products. An influencer gets paid based on their reach, engagement, and campaign success.

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