While the concept of collaborative fashion is not a new one, some designers and brands are choosing to pair up in a way that is intriguingly improbable. Trend Hunter's Jana Pijak counts down her favorite unexpected fashion collaborations, from collaborative cartoon fashion to motorized manicures and cat-inspired cosmetics.
One unlikely partnership is Saks 5th Avenue and Saturday Night Live. Inspired by SNL characters, the collection's proceeds go to Key to the Cure. In other example of collaborative fashion, OPI and Ford celebrated the iconic American auto company's 50th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang with nail polish shades in the hue of Ford cars. While Karl Lagerfeld and Shu Uemura might not be surprising, one cosmetics line is inspired by the fashion personality's pet cat. In another high end pairing, Hermes commissioned a Disney themed Birkin bag.
Unexpected Fashion Collaborations
Editor Jana Pijak Discusses Her Top Collaborative Fashion Picks
Trend Themes
1. Collaborative Cartoon Fashion - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring partnerships between fashion brands and animated characters to create unique and playful clothing collections.
2. Motorized Manicures - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating motorized technology into nail care products for a more efficient and convenient manicure experience.
3. Cat-inspired Cosmetics - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Capitalizing on the popularity of pet-themed products by collaborating with fashion personalities to create cosmetic lines inspired by their pets.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Retail - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Expanding collaborative partnerships between fashion retailers and entertainment companies to create unique and unexpected fashion collections.
2. Beauty and Nail Care - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Experimenting with motorized technology in nail care products to enhance the customer experience and streamline the manicure process.
3. Cosmetics and Personal Care - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Tapping into the growing pet-themed market by collaborating with fashion personalities to develop cosmetic lines inspired by their beloved pets.