No exploration of unforgettable collaborations would be complete without looking back at one of the most groundbreaking unions between art and fashion – Salvador Dalí x Elsa Schiaparelli.

These two powerhouses of the surrealist movement came together in the early 1930s to create original art, fashion and haute couture.

Although somewhat tumultuous, the partnership gave us infamous dresses such as the Lobster Dress and the Skeleton Dress, as well as one of the first great collaborations between a fashion designer and artist.

The synergistic works of Dalí and Schiaparelli solidified the fashion house as one of the major players in the haute couture space, with Schiaparelli still gracing the front pages of the web today.

This historic pairing paved the way for modern fashionistas to express themselves more freely; Schiaparelli’s designs have since been worn by everyone from first ladies to Lady Gaga. Recent headline-making styles include the Doja Cat Couture where 30,000 Swarovski crystals were hand-applied, as well as the Leo Couture, where fake animal heads were used, as seen on Kylie Jenner.

But sometimes, taking a risk means that one can get backlash for it, as Schiaparelli did after its haute couture show in January this year, which some critics claimed glamorised trophy hunting with its fake animal heads.

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2. Louis Vuitton x Supreme

Arguably one of the most instantly recognisable collaborations recently, skate brand Supreme and Louis Vuitton came together to create a collection that included denim jackets, red and white waist bags, backpacks, handbags and pouches featuring delightful co-branding. Under the watchful eye of Louis Vuitton’s menswear’s former artistic director Kim Jones, these two juxtaposed fashion styles came together tastefully.

The rest of the collection was inspired by New York, Jones said per The Guardian, and the collaborative working methods of Jean-Michèle Basquiat, Keith Haring, Julian Schnabel, Robert Mapplethorpe and Andy Warhol in particular.

3. Rihanna x Manolo Blahnik

The enviable collection consists of different denim textures, married with gorgeously handcrafted details such as appliqués, rhinestones and embroideries inspired by Rihanna’s own tattoos.

Rihanna x Manolo Blahnik’s success was solidified when Jennifer Lopez wore their denim thigh-high belted boots in her music video for “Ain’t Your Mumma”. J.Lo was cleverly gifted the pair by Rihanna only a few weeks before the video was shot, per NY Post. This renowned partnership saw Rihanna transcend from pop princess to officially “in” with the ultra-exclusive fashion crowd.

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4. Dior by Birkenstock

When we say “high fashion”, the first pair of shoes that springs to mind is hardly going to be Birkenstock. Probably not the second, third or fourth shoe brand, either. Known primarily for its function and comfort, Birkenstock found an unlikely collaboration partner in Dior.

This unlikely coupling of brands saw a reimagining of two iconic Birkenstock designs, the Tokio Mules first released in 1987 and the Milano sandals first released in the mid-1960s.

The collaboration was a sweet-yet-subtle tribute to Monsieur Dior’s passion for horticulture – an activity he learned in his youth from his mother, according to Wallpaper. Functional, yet somehow still elegant, the collection features distinguishable Dior-grey felt and suede alongside buckles that mirror the accents found on the infamous Dior Saddle Bag.

The collaboration, Dior by Birkenstock, was first seen gracing the runway in the autumn/winter 2022 Dior shows. The “ugly-cool” designs were paired with socks and luxury Dior tracksuit pants. Sumptuous attire that ticked the comfort boxes too.

Starting at US$1,100, this collaboration can still be purchased exclusively via Dior’s website and in selected Dior boutiques globally.

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5. North Face x Gucci

In 2021, North Face x Gucci released their collaborative pieces to a veritable throng of raving fans thanks to the power of social media. Gucci posted well-crafted teasers on its official Instagram three months before the collaboration hitting stores and pop-ups, which led to desire reaching fever-pitch by the time the collection was released.

An eclectic mix of aesthetics and styles, the adventurous collection featured ready-to-wear pieces along with the more rugged hiking boots, tents and sleeping bags.

The first collection sold out globally in record time, cementing the collaboration as an undeniable triumph by any standards. Thankfully, we’ve seen two more collections drop since the original launch, both with equal success and innovation from the designers.

6. Fendi x Versace

Fendace combines elements of both labels’ brand codes: Versace’s iconic Baroque prints and Medusa medallion, alongside Fendi’s monogram logo. Decadent, provocative and irrevocably steeped in luxury.

In contrast to other collaborations, the Fendace partnership was inherently unique. Instead of collaborating on designs, the creative directors of the two major Italian luxury brands switched roles completely.

Donatella Versace infused Fendi with her extravagant style while Silvia Venturini Fendi and Jones utilised their tailoring skills and evening wear expertise to reinterpret Versace’s vision. Versace deemed it “history in the making”.

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7. Balmain x Puma

The first collaboration back in 2019 saw the creative tour de force that is Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing pour the full range of his personal fashion references into the synergistic designs. Spanning the concepts of grandeur, love, loss and theatrics, Rousteing added his twisted undertones of leather and luxury into the more everyday Puma sportswear look, elevating streetwear with plenty of touchstones from both brands.

Incorporating plenty of co-branding, shiny textiles and accessible silhouettes entrenched in wearability, the first collection showcased mesh tank tops, striped hoodies, graphic T-shirts and slim sweatpants.

The show-stoppers came to us in the form of bombers and souvenir jackets. The collaboration’s spotlight on boxing is further reinforced by boxing shorts, sequinned pre-fight gowns and glistening track pants.

Rousteing said in a statement on Balmain’s website, “Back in 2019, I worked closely with the Puma team on a boxing-inspired Balmain x Puma offering. Obviously, I loved creating that capsule – but for this second time around, I really wanted to set our focus on the thrills of basketball.”

Leading the pack of this collaboration is the Balmain x Puma court shoe, followed by house classics such as the Teddy Jacket, tank tops, coach jacket, hoodies and shorts. The limited-edition collection is currently available on Balmain and Puma’s websites.