We take a walk down memory lane and pick our favorite sneaker and streetwear collaborations of 2013.

By Haikal Abu Bakar

Bape x Undefeated x adidas Originals Consortium Collection

While this killer three-way collab was first said to be released in 2012, it eventually only hit stores in April 2013.

Featuring classic Bape camo, a gum sole, and gold embossed logos, the ZX 500 was certainly a highlight of the collection. But the Campus ’80s available in olive and black also stood its own; a well executed pair for those who prefer subtlety.

Image via Freshness Mag

Ronnie Fieg x Asics

2013 was a big year for Ronnie Fieg. Love or hate the guy, it seemed like he could do no wrong with his various collaborations with Asics.

Each pair Fieg put out was high in demand. Kicking off the year with the GT-II “High Risk”, Fieg continued to deliver throughout the rest of 2013 with models from the Gel Lyte III “East Coast Project”, the Gel Lyte III “Flamingo” and he finally wrapped up the year with the Gel Lyte V “Volcano”. To say that Ronnie Fieg has revolutionized Asics and the demand for the brand would be an understatement.

Images via Hypebeast

Ronnie Fieg x New Balance

Not one to pledge single allegiance to a brand or model, New Balance was another brand that had the privilege of benefiting from Ronnie Fieg’s success last year.

Both of Fieg’s designs for New Balance, the 1600 “Daytona” and the 577 “Americana”, were sold out instantly. Released on Black Friday, the “Daytona” reigned supreme over the many other releases that day and was deemed by many sneakerheads as Fieg’s best collaboration of 2013. We can’t wait to see what Fieg has up his sleeve for the new year!

Images via Hypebeast

Supreme x Bruce Lee Collection

Last Fall, Supreme teamed up with the Bruce Lee Estate to commemorate the iconic martial artist by producing a series of sneakers (made possible thanks to a further collaboration with Vans), apparel and a skateboard bearing graphics of Lee in his signature Jeet Kune Do stance, as seen in his movie Enter The Dragon. 

What else to say? The collection was kickass indeed.

Image via Highsnobiety

Supreme x Vans “Power, Corruption & Lies”

The “Power, Corruption & Lies” pack saw Supreme incorporating “A Basket of Roses” by late French artist, Henri Fantin-Latour, on three Vans silhouttes; the Chukka, Era and Sk8-Hi. The collection derived its name from New Order’s album of the same name, which also donned the same floral painting on its album cover.

When was the last time floral prints on sneakers looked great on both men and women? More flower, more power.

Image via Freshness Mag

Bape x Stussy

Having worked together previously, Stussy and Bape teamed up once again for a project aptly titled “Ill Collaboration”, a collection of apparel that featured iconic details and designs such as the Stussy Script, Bape’s infamous full-zip shark hoody and Ape head graphics.

As with earlier Stussy and Bape collaborations, this one flew off the shelves on launch day.

Image via Freshness Mag

i AM OTHER x BBC x Club 75 x Clot “BLOHK PARTY” Capsule Collection

This special capsule collection consisting of a selection of hoodies, t-shirts and caps was released at the inaugural Blohk Party held in Hong Kong last month. The collection was a mashup between the four brands that were involved in the festival; definitely one of the best music festival merchandise of 2013!

Image via Hypebeast

Clot x Nike Air Max 1 “Kiss of Death 2”

Having worked on the Air Max 1 silhouette in the original “Kiss of Death” in 2006, Clot teamed up once again with Nike in 2013 to create a second rendition of the highly sought after collaboration.

Drawing inspiration from Chinese culture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the execution on the details right down to the sneaker’s outsole were spot on. The Hyperfuse upper made this our sneaker of choice for wet weather!

Image via Kicks On Fire

atmos x Nike

Early in 2013, Atmos released the “Animal Camo Pack” in collaboration with Nike on the Air Max 1 silhouette. Just when we thought they were done, the Tokyo sneaker store dropped the “Camo Pack” in November, this time on the Air Max 90. Both releases were complemented with matching apparel and caps bearing the same pattern.

Atmos certainly raised the bar with both releases in 2013, proving that camo design can be as loud or subtle as you want it to be. With such precise execution, we don’t expect Atmos will be slowing down in 2014!

Images via Hypebeast

Size? x Nike

UK sneaker store Size? collaborated enthusiastically with Nike in 2013, which saw several exclusive designs being released over the course of the year.

It became apparent that the concept behind these exclusive releases was to bring back many classic, oft overlooked models such as the Air Max Light, Air Max 180 and Air Max ’93, to name a few. We were most excited to see the return of the Air Huarache, since not much has been done to the shoe since original release in 1991.

Whether it was a cement print or a Mowabb-inspired color scheme, props to Size? for putting a modern twist on these classics without compromising the original aesthetics.

Concepts x New Balance

Almost in quick succession, Concept unleashed the “C-Note” and “Mint” in collaboration with New Balance. Both releases used the iconic New Balance 998 silhouette as canvas, while the design was inspired by United States currency bills.

The “C-Note” is particularly noteworthy for its brilliant use of mesh and suede. The result? A true classic that stays head and shoulders above other standard collaborations.

Images via Hypebeast

Undefeated x G-Shock DW-6901UD-3ER

In conjunction with G-Shock’s 30th anniversary, Los Angeles-based streetwear label, Undefeated, joined forces with the watch brand to produce a military-inspired timepiece. The use of a Nato canvas strap made this timepiece one to watch.

Image via Highsnobiety

Martin Maison Margiela x Converse

This era, in which the lines between high fashion and streetwear are sometimes blurred, has certainly paved the way for unique collaborations such as the one between avant-garde fashion house Maison Martin Margiela and all-American brand Converse.

The Martin Maison Margiela x Converse sneakers available in the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star and the Jack Purcell silhouettes were completely white-washed. Wearing the sneakers would cause them to crease, and result in the cracking of surface paint, which reveals specks of color underneath.

Experimental and experiential, if the concept of these collaborative sneakers weren’t impressive, it was interesting, at least.

Images via Highsnobiety

Tell us which were your favorite collaborations of 2013 in comments below.