From partnering with clothing retailers to a sports league, the popularity of collaborations shows no sign of slowing down in the fashion world. Here are some of the partnerships you should definitely check out this year

1. NBA x Louis Vuitton

After announcing that it will be the first Official Trophy Travel Case provider for the National Basketball Association (NBA) on January 22, it appears that Louis Vuitton is further cementing its relationship with the North American sports league with a multiyear partnership. In addition to an exclusive travel case for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Louis Vuitton will also be releasing a capsule collection with NBA, designed by Virgil Abloh.

According to WWD, the collection is inspired by three defining moments in a basketball player's career—the press conferences, matches, and frequent travels—and will include “branded luggage, clothing, and other Vuitton products”. The collaboration drops in October.

(Related: Why Prada's First Collaboration With Adidas Is A Big Deal)

2. Jordan Brand x Dior

Revealed at Dior Men’s Pre-Fall 2020 show in December last year, the Air Jordan I High OG Dior definitely lived up to the hype and rumours that had been swirling before its announcement. Crafted in Italy with white and silver-toned Italian leather, the AJ1 features hand-painted edges, the iconic Nike swoosh finished in an original Dior Oblique jacquard, and transparent soles printed with the Air Dior Jumpman Wings.

The complete Jordan Brand x Dior capsule collection is slated to be released in April, and will include accessories like socks, silk squares, and a sweatband, athleisure clothing, and even tailored suits.

3. Gap x Telfar

In an unexpected collaboration, American retailer Gap is taking a leaf from H&M and pairing up with New York-based designer label, Telfar. According to founder Telfar Clemens, the collaboration is a dream come true.

“Gap created the blueprint for my brand because the Gap person is literally everybody: every possible race, gender, rich, poor. I want to take that idea to the year 2020—and to take my clothes outside of just fashion capitals and boutiques and actually make them available for everybody,” he said in a press release. The announcement was celebrated with a party during Paris Men’s Fashion Week at Gap’s Rue Tronchet store, and the collection is expected to debut later this year.

4. Sabyasachi x H&M

H&M has earned itself a place in the fashion calendar with its yearly designer collaborations since 2004. This year, its collaborator is celebrated Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, best known for his use of Indian textiles with modern, structured silhouettes.

Sabyasachi’s design philosophy is “personalized imperfection of the human hand”, and we can expect to see that in his “Wanderlust” collaboration, which will feature “hand-crafted, eclectic travel pieces that will resonate with the modern global nomad”. The collection launches on April 16.

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