In an age when engagements on social media yield much more clout than an endorsement on a magazine cover, it’s no surprise that celeb collaborations are on the rise. From apparel lines to full-fledged collections, the intersections between Hollywood and fashion houses offer us tons of inspiration made even more special by authentic designs and stories from the stars themselves. Join us for a closer look at famous faces stepping into the fashion world.
1. Star-Studded Style: Exploring Celeb Collaborations in Fashion
The current fashion industry has embraced collaborations between celebrities and designers on an unprecedented level, creating some of the most iconic looks of our time. From Rihanna and Adam Selman’s inclusion of Swarovski crystals atop their gowns to Sarah Jessica Parker and Halston’s vision of modern-day style classics, celebrity collaborations have taken the fashion world by storm. Here are few of our favorites that have made the cut from runway to red carpet.
Gigi Hadid x Tommy Hilfiger
Gigi Hadid has continued to leave her mark on the modern fashion landscape. The rapidely sprouting supermodel made her athleisure debut with her Tommy Hilfiger collaboration in 2016. With Hadid’s fresh and easy-going sensibility, the result – a selection of millennial ready-to-wear and accessories that easily could’ve been taken from her own closet. The pieces with each successive season featured brand icons like stars and stripes as well as patches designed with her signature.
Victoria Beckham x Target
In 2017, there was no missing Victoria Beckham’s impeccable style with her collaboration with the affordably conscious Target. Beckham’s collection featured more than 200 pieces, including colorful printed sundresses, tendy denim jackets and children’s clothing. The result? Easy-luxury items to turn into stylish ensembles on any budget.
The Weirsos x Manolo Blahnik
From dancing, as seen on HBO’s True Blood, to more recently ruling Westeros with aplomb as Daenerys Targaryen, Emilia Clarke has been consistently turning to the lens and generating some major fashion moments. One of our favorite celeb collaboration was when Clarke teamed up with Manolo Blahnik last summer to create two pairs of dazzlingly bejeweled sandal heels. Each style featured blue, red or green crystal straps and bodies adorned with appliques of exotic birds and tropical blooms – a worthy homage to Clarke’s stylized aesthetics.
Katy Perry x Covergirl
- Katy Perry’s collaboration with Covergirl is legendary.
- The singer and beauty lover offered makeup lovers a chance to get their hands on a face kit curated with her favorite products.
- The collection included everything from metallic eyeshadows to hi-shine lip glosses in a range of hues.
Kanye West x Adidas
Kanye West had a huge hand in ushering in a new era of athleisure in 2016. His collaboration with Adidas generated worldwide hype when it became official, resulting in the multiple seasons of iconic sneakers and trendy streetwear. From Zebra Yeezy Boosts to revamped track jackets, the rapper-cum-designer blended hip hop sensibilities with a high fashion edge, thus revolutionizing modern casualwear.
2. Trending: Pop Culture Infusing Into the Fashion Scene
Nowadays, fashion is as much about trends and pop culture than it ever was. With the media’s growing influence, it’s easier than ever for styles and designs to make their way through the fashion industry, shifting fashion items from the streets to the high-end of style. Here are some of the ways how pop culture infuses into the fashion scene:
- Celebrity Endorsement – Celebrities now have a considerable impact on the success of fashion lines. When a style icon like Kanye West or Rihanna wears something then it’s almost guaranteed to fly off the shelves.
- Reimagined Logos – Logos can become emblematic of a certain culture or era. Reimagined logo designs have taken the fashion world by storm, from Balenciaga’s new take on the Fendi logo, to emblematic tees design by Balmain.
- DIY Masks – Back in 2020, DIY masks started to be a trend. People shifted from the classic Louis Vuitton masks to bespoke DIY ones you could see around the streets.
- K-Pop Style – Korean popular music is slowly taking over the world, and it’s influencing the fashion trends as well. From statement pieces to low-key trends, K-Pop style is sending style vibes worldwide.
- Cartoons and Super Heroes – It’s no secret that popular television shows and movies are influencing fashion designers. From Mickey Mouse to Sailor Moon, cartoon characters and super heroes are appearing on runways and shop windows.
- Collaborations – Nowadays, some of the hottest collaborations in the fashion world are those between fashion and pop culture. We’ve seen collaborations from brands like Nike and Off-White, to Gucci’s collaboration with Sponge Bob.
Regardless of how you feel about fashion and pop culture, it’s safe to say that these two industries have merged and will continue to do so for a long time. Hidden trends will emerge while others will blossom, giving the fashion industry something new to use and enjoy.
3. Star Power and the Influence of Celebrity Styles
It goes without saying that celebrities have a major influence on the current trends in the fashion industry. Millions of people around the world are often swayed by the latest style choices of their favourite stars, leading to an unprecedented level of pressure on the industry to keep up. From effortless red-carpet looks to savage street style, celebrities have a way of setting the trends that the rest of us seem powerless to resist.
As celebrities become more visible in the public eye, fashion houses have begun to take notice. Brands now seek to harness star power to give their products an edge over competition, often enlisting high-profile stars to wear and model their outfits on the runway. Celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid are constantly setting the bar with their incredible wardrobe choices, inspiring countless imitators in the process.
Movie premiers and award shows are equality influential in determining the tides of fashion. When the stars are seen donning various ensembles on the red carpet, people inevitably take those ideas back home with them. Be it the golden age of Hollywood or the power of the paparazzi, celebrities are the center of fashion across both the industry and the world.
As such, it’s easy to explain the sudden rise of celebrity-inspired styles. Not to mention, superstars also tend to have a huge influence on pop culture. As trends become infused with references from music and film, the effect multiplies at an alarming rate. For instance, the classic Hollywood style of James Dean has been quickly adopted by legions of youth all over the world, lending it a timeless appeal that transcends age and boundaries.
It’s hard to deny the power of celebrity in the fashion world today. Their styles drive trends, spark the imagination and fuel the next wave of designers taking the world by storm. Aspiring fashionistas should find inspiration in the wardrobes of popular stars like:
- Kanye West, whose avant garde apparel continues to make waves in the industry.
- Rihanna, who is redefining fashion with her never-ending array of bold and daring looks.
- Beyoncé, whose vision of opulence and luxury will always be remembered.
- Lady Gaga, who has been a leader in outrageous yet high-impact fashion since breaking onto the scene.
At the end of the day, celebrity style is what drives the fashion industry. Whether we like it or not, their look is often the one to dictate trends, making them essential to the survival of the industry at large.
4. Fashion Labels Unlocking the Power of Celebrity Partnerships
Collaborations with celebrities is a strategy that has been embraced by fashion brands for decades. These collaborations can have a huge impact on a fashion label’s success, as the cross-promotion of the label and the celebrity’s fan base can exponentially expand the reach of the label. Through collaborations, a fashion label can become known outside of their circle of loyal fans.
Celebrity collaborations can take many forms, from simple shout-outs across social media to full campaigns featuring the celebrity. Whatever form the collaboration takes, both the celebrity and the fashion label can benefit, as both can extend their reach far beyond what they each can do on their own.
These partnerships are often high profile and could include special events, limited edition lines, full campaigns and endorsements. Through such collaborations, brands are creating desirable items associated with specific people that their target audience wish they could have.
For today’s trend-savvy consumers, following celebrity collaborations can be a way to stay ahead of the game and have access to pieces and collections before the general public. Having a celebrity associated with a fashion brand can give it a special cachet and make it a desirable and even aspirational label.
Large companies, such as Nike, often collaborate with big-name celebrities in order to boost their expansive reach. When celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Beyonce or Rihanna are photographed or featured in campaigns featuring Nike merchandise, it has an undeniable and positive effect both on the brand and on the celebrity.
In conclusion, celebrity collaboration strategies can be incredibly beneficial for both the fashion label and the celebrity. It promotes visibility, disseminates trends, widens the reach of the fashion label and turns it into a desirable, aspirational brand.
From Victoria Beckham to Heidi Klum, celebrity fashion collaborations have shown us that the influence of celebrities can be as powerful as ever. These particular faced-based collections span across categories from clothing to perfumes, and offer something for everyone. So whichever product you choose to purchase, just remember, it’s not just a fashion line, it’s a fashion story.
