With the arrival of autumn comes a whole crop of exciting new fashion collaborations. Amongst the most anticipated is a partnership between Jean Paul Gaultier and KNWLS, a revamp of some of Mulberry’s most covetable pre-loved bags courtesy of Stefan Cooke and a dazzling new luggage range from Rimowa and Tiffany & Co. Here we’ve rounded up the newest, buzziest fashion collabs that are set to be the talk of the town this season.
Fashion Collaborations 2023
Jean Paul Gaultier x KNWLS
One of the most talked about new fashion collaborations this autumn is the partnership between Jean Paul Gaultier and London-based label KNWLS, who have teamed up to create a 42-piece collection that draws inspiration from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Inspired by themes of punk and pattern, the line features a range of prints that channel the spirit of JPG, with hand-stencilled trompe-l’œil tattoos and scratched wood textures. As for the silhouettes, they’re pure KNWLS, with figure-hugging bustiers, leather corsets and low-slung stonewashed denim taking centre stage.
Mulberry x Stefan Cooke
Mulberry’s latest collaboration with Stefan Cooke is the first to focus on pre-loved styles from the British brand’s circularity programme, The Mulberry Exchange. The acclaimed British design duo have put their craft-focused spin on 27 pre-loved bags as part of the limited-edition capsule, which have then been transformed by Mulberry’s artisans at their Somerset factory into one-off creations. The iconic Bayswater – which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year – the Bradbury and the Blossom tote have been updated with bows, swings, braids and slashes using deadstock leather, as well as jumbo tassels made from upcycled rugby shirts and archival Mulberry print silk scarf straps.
Jean Paul Gaultier x Jimmy Choo
It seems the team at JPG have been busy this autumn, with not one but two great fashion collaborations under their belt – the second being their partnership with Jimmy Choo, which is set to launch in October. So far, details are thin on the ground, but the two brands have teased that they’ve teamed up on an exclusive capsule collection of footwear. Described as having been founded on “a shared vision of powerful, confident and glamourous femininity”, the collaboration is expected to draw on both brands’ archival legacies. Watch this space.
Rimowa x Tiffany & Co
If you want your luggage to stand out from the crowd, this is the fashion collab for you. German brand Rimowa has teamed up with Tiffany & Co to create a dazzling new capsule collection, inspired by the brilliance of a diamond. Made up of a suitcase, jewellery case and jewellery box, it’s the Rock Cut artwork the really sets this range apart. Designed to mirror a diamond’s unique facets, the shimmering pattern has been applied to Rimowa’s signature grooved aluminium, lending it a sparkling finish. Elsewhere, Tiffany Blue accents appear on handles and interiors as another distinctive nod to the partnership.
Moncler x Pharrell Williams
Back in 2009, Moncler teamed up with Pharrell Williams on a line of jackets – now the two have decided to pair up again to release a new outerwear collaboration. The Louis Vuitton creative director is bringing his elevated aesthetic to Moncler’s signature silhouettes, with diamond-quilting vests appearing alongside jackets with faux fur-trimmed hoods. Inspired by the concept of glamping, versatility is key and many of the pieces have more than one use: duvet blankets double as capes, zippers transform long trousers into shorts and jackets convert to utilitarian fisherman’s vests. Camping has never looked so chic.
Barbour x House of Hackney
For the latest instalment of their ongoing collaboration with interiors brand House of Hackney, British heritage label Barbour has released a capsule collection that draws on dark gardens and gothic romance. Native British flora appear across the brand’s signature wax and quilted jackets, while House of Hackney’s maximalist prints are splashed across floaty dresses and bohemian blouses. With its moody colour palette and mix of weather-ready outerwear staples and ready-to-wear pieces, it’s the perfect addition to your autumn wardrobe.
Birkenstock x Tekla
For the ultimate in cool loungewear, look no further than this new fashion collaboration from Birkenstock and Tekla. The partnership marks the first time the German footwear brand and the Copenhagen-based homeware label have teamed up, and their capsule collection is made up of pieces designed for comfort. Inspired by “ideals of contemplation and finding stillness of mind”, the collection features a range of oversized, unisex sleepwear in Tekla’s signature cotton poplin, as well as elevated updates on Birkenstock’s iconic Nagoya slip-on clog and Uji sandal. Here, the distinctive cork footbed is covered in soft shearling for a cosy touch, while the shoes themselves are crafted out of buttery suede in a range of serenely muted colourways.
Available from Thursday 12 October; birkenstock.com
Christian Cowan x Teletubbies
This season’s 90s-inspired fashion has been taken to a whole new level thanks to British designer Christian Cowan, who’s latest five-piece capsule collection features none other than the Teletubbies. The hit children’s’ TV characters appear emblazoned across t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and denim jackets, with Tinky Winky, Laa-Laa and Po captured posing alongside models.
But the standout piece in the range has to be the neon green knee-high stiletto boots topped with a toy version of Dipsy, a tribute to Cowan’s favourite Teletubby. Known for his fun and whimsical creations, Cowan designed the capsule to appeal to those, like himself, who grew up watching the Teletubbies and have now fallen in love with them all over again.
Beyonce x Balmain
Collaborations don’t come much bigger than Beyoncé and Balmain. When the French fashion house’s creative director Olivier Rousteing found himself listening to the pop queen’s new album Renaissance on repeat last summer, the tracks started to bleed into the designs he was sketching. Soon he had a whole Renaissance-inspired collection in mind, and he knew he had to get Beyoncé on board. Luckily, she was only too happy to oblige.
The result is a couture collection created as a partnership between Rousteing, Beyoncé and her stylist Marni Senofonte, featuring a hammered metal bustier covered in spikes, a black velvet gown embroidered with pink feathers and a show-stopping silver fringed mini dress with a matching cape.
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama
The worlds of Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama have collided in a vibrant, joyful way for the new fashion collab that’s everywhere right now. This is the second collaboration between the French luxury brand and the Japanese avant-garde artist, resulting in a collection that reinterprets the Maison’s iconic pieces by adorning them with Kusama’s signature, eye-popping motifs. And so you have painted dots, metallic dots, infinity dots and psychedelic flowers across clothes, accessories including, of course, bags, and limited-edition perfumes.
To celebrate the partnership, the facade of Harrods has been covered in giant, multi-hued dots, with a 15-metre sculpture of the artist outside the department store entrance, window displays and a pop-up further dedicated to one of fashion and art’s most playful partnerships.
Nike x Tiffany & Co
Nike is no stranger to fashion collaborations. The global sportswear giant has seen its sneakers been given a makeover by everyone from Jacquemus and Sacai to Off-White and Comme des Garçons. And now they have teamed up with Tiffany & Co on a brand-new pair of trainers – Nike x Tiffany & Co Air Force 1 1837 – in what is the first foray into footwear for the luxury jewellery brand.
The new fashion collab shoes, due for release on 7 March, will take the form of the classic Air Force 1 (which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year) in all black, mostly suede, with the Nike swoosh in the classic Tiffany Blue. Adorning the trainer is a .925 sterling silver heel tab, and Tiffany script has been stitched onto the tongue tag. Sneakerheads will want to stock up on the limited-edition sterling silver accessories too, including a Nike x Tiffany shoe horn, shoe cleaning brush and whistle.
Jimmy Choo x Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Last year, their collab with Mugler was the toast of the fashion world – now Jimmy Choo is back with another much-hyped partnership, only this time they’re delving into the world of manga. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the mould-breaking anime series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon – arguably the most stylish Japanese manga of all time – Jimmy Choo’s creative director Sandra Choi has teamed up with Sailor Moon’s creator Naoko Takeuchi to create a striking, colour-saturated capsule.
Championing their shared values of bold individuality and female empowerment, each of the key characters has been given their own unique shoe style, kicking off with the made-to-order Sailor Moon boot, a vibrant fuchsia pink knee-high stretch style studded with Swarovski crystals and featuring a signature Jimmy Choo kick heel. Elsewhere you’ll find glossy blue patent leather platform boots in homage to Sailor Mercury, sharply pointed pumps in Sailor Mars’ signature scarlet and chunky emerald green leather combat boots in a nod to Sailor Jupiter.
Available from 14 February
jimmychoo.com
Loewe x Howl’s Moving Castle
Loewe has just launched its third and final partnership with the Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli – Howl’s Moving Castle. The film has been brought to life by an imaginative collection, featuring characters and scenes from Hayao Miyazaki’s much-loved movie.
And so you have Howl, Sophie, Markl, Heen (the dog), Turnip Head and the Witch of the Waste all vividly depicted in print, embroidery and leather marquetry across ready-to-wear, bags and accessories. The new fashion collab follows Loewe’s previous collections with Studio Ghibli – My Neighbor Totoro in 2021 and 2020’s Spirited Away capsule.
Miu Miu x New Balance
Fans of the highly coveted Miu Miu x New Balance collaboration, which first debuted on the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2022 runway, will be thrilled to hear that the duo are releasing three new colourways. Still focusing on the iconic 574 silhouette, the latest releases come in fringed blue, marble-effect cognac denim and blanched white vintage-look nappa leather.
Blending Miu Miu’s raw-edged aesthetic with New Balance’s retro-inspired designs, the trainers embody the concept of reinvention, transitioning from deconstruction to reconstruction while leaving traces of its evolution behind. The result is a pair of sneakers that combines Italian chic with all-American athleticism.
