Brand collaborations are the last trend in sneakers design

In June 2021, during the Spring Summer 2022 fashion show, Louis Vuitton unveiled the new collector's trainers designed by Virgil Abloh in collaboration with Nike. Each model – there are nine in all – has been presented as the collection's flagship trainer, is available in Nike sizes, has different colours and textures and prices will range from €2,000 to €2,500. These are true objects of desire made in both high and low versions, in white leather, black suede or two-tone (white/green, white/red, white/blue).

Supreme is back for another sequel in its great series of collaborations with Nike. The New York-based streetwear brand has teamed up with the American sportswear brand for the spring 2022 season and released a new version of the Nike Zoom Air Flight 95. The shoe features a leather and suede upper with a recognisable bandana print. Additional details include mesh tongues with suede panels and terry lining and embroidered “Flight” tabs on the heel. In addition to the usual embroidered Swoosh branding, further branding elements with the word “SUPREME” distinguish the printed tabs and insoles.

Cassius Hirst, son of the better known Damien, was recruited by Miuccia Prada herself to rework the Italian brand's America's Cup trainer, originally designed for Prada's Luna Rossa sailing team in 1997. For Prada, Cass transformed the timeless classic into an art object. Some are airbrushed in neon, others are coated in a vibrant lacquer and polished, an all-white version features textured paint drops on the sides. And thanks to their hand-customised nature, no two pairs are exactly alike.

The collaboration with Adidas unveiled at Balenciaga’s catwalk presentation in New York is now also available on the market. The limited edition collection includes men's and women's clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories. The footwear collection, in particular, shows Adidas’ reinterpretation of Balenciaga’s beloved Triple S and Speed.

Named the Adidas x Allbirds 2.94 KG CO2e due to the minimal carbon footprint each pair is made with (the collaboration marks the first time Adidas has produced footwear with less than 3.0 KG of waste), the shoes feature at least 25 per cent recycled materials, a bio-based midsole and an ultra-lightweight textile upper, which perfectly matches Adidas’ sensitivity towards design.

The Spanish house Loewe has teamed up with On, a Swiss brand specialising in running shoes, to offer a performance-wear capsule that channels the elements through its dynamic design and technical assembly. The line takes On’s garments and trainers and applies the house’s renowned luxury finishes. For the collection, the iconic Cloudventure and Cloudrock silhouettes were chosen, where the recycled polyester body is finished with a gradient spray of fresh colours, including khaki, grey, orange and two blue variants. Other treatments include a marbled effect sole, brass eyelets and iridescent mudguards.

This is the new collection of sneakers in which Rebook has reinvented three classic design elements created by the Eames, considered two of the most influential designers of the 20th century: the Eames Elephant, the Eames Coloring Toy and rosewood, often used by the designers for their furniture. Each pair of shoes takes the Reebok Classic Leather as a base, then incorporates original elements from the Eames’ designs. The Classic Leather Elephant for example takes its form from the Eames Elephant, the children’s toy developed in the 1940s, where the toy’s distinctive silhouette was added to the shoes as a removable elephant head covering the laces.

Although its durable workwear-inspired garments remain the main focus, Engineered Garments has a rich history in the world of footwear collaborations. This season its collaboration with Suicoke a pair of colourful, outdoor-ready KAW sandals. Decorated with the Japanese company's branding on one of the two adjustable straps and with a subtle EG logo on the footbed, both versions sit on the rippled Vibram sole. The main attraction, however, is the watercoloured camouflage printed in cool, earthy green tones on the wide forefoot strap of each sandal.