Over the last couple of years collaborations between brands and brands/celebrities have been running ramped. There are so many that it is hard to keep track of who has worked with who and what relationships have created quality products. Many of these collaborations are successful, but it is also important to look at the long-term effects that they have on the brands. If a brand is constantly involving itself in collaborations they run the risk of diluting their image/losing cashew (I would say a brand like Pendleton may be reaching some point of no return). That being said, there are a few that always get it right, not only staying true to their own identity within the collaborations, but also creating something great in the process.

One of the many great pieces from Ronnie Fieg x Sebago.

One brand that is constantly releasing amazing collaborations is Ronnie Fieg. His brand IS the collaboration and he continue to create unique items as he goes. Fieg started as a stock boy for footwear chain David Z., where he worked his way up the ranks until he was a buyer. He put together his first collaboration (which sold out in a day) with Asics and also created collaborations with Sebago, Red Wings, New Balance and more while still working for the company. Since then he has continued to use his expertise in footwear to create some of the coolest pieces available, putting together over 50 collaborations and building his own brand that is now sold in his NYC store front and online retailer Kith NYC.  His store sells many top footwear brands as well as the collaborations he has done and his new venture Kith Red Label, a line of street wear that is an aesthetic extension of his footwear.

Ronnie Fieg x Quoddy

Kith Red Label x Pendleton. Like i said "may be reaching..."

Kith Red Label tiger camo.

Kith Red Label camo shorts. This stuff sold out in just hours.

Fieg’s most recent collaboration with Del Toro was just released last week and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Del Toro is a footwear brand known for it’s velvet slippers and more recently eye catching prints. The footwear company might be most well known for another collaboration though, one with Theophilus London. With London, they melded their classic black velvet slipper with his signature rose print embroidered on the toe and “LVRS” logo in red on the heel.

Del Toro's classic look available at KithNYC. Stars, Not Stripes.

Del Toro x Theophilus London

The collaboration between Fieg and Del Toro stays true to both brands. It features an array of animal prints in bold, vibrant colors. The four shoe collection includes two chukka style shoes with pony hair to create “cow camo” and “tiger” prints along with two wingtip designs using suede and pony hair to create a blue leopard and leopard print. The shoes have a high end feel and work perfectly for raising both brands profiles. Check out the collection below:

- Zach