5 Best Brand Collaborations of '22...so far!

2021 was a big year for brand collaborations, but it pales in comparison to 2022. In the past 6 months, collaboration standards have climbed as brands push the boundaries of partnership to become more creative, connected, and involved in the world.

Rising stakes means collaborations are getting harder to execute, so we like to celebrate a job well done. After much deliberation, we’ve rounded up our top 5 picks for best brand collabs of 2022. 

1. Adidas x Everyone

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Collabs are strategic and Adidas is your proof: this sneaker brand pulls off at least 2 collaborations per month, and each one uplifts their image and resets any negative beliefs about them. 

Adidas x Parley for the Oceans was one of our favorites this year. This collaboration made history by creating the first line of activewear made from ocean plastic. If you didn’t believe Adidas was interested in sustainability, this partnership would prove you wrong.

And Adidas isn't just concerned with saving the planet; they're also passionate about helping people, as evidenced by their collaborations with Ravi Restaurant and Waffle House. These partnerships were part of the ‘Addilicious’ project, which aims to support and uplift community-driven restaurants around the world. 

By partnering with so many diverse organizations, Adidas slides into every niche, and as a result, everyone becomes their audience.  

2. Gucci x Oura 

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We’ve all seen health-tracking wristbands, but there’s something extra luxurious about a health-tracking ring. 

Despite this being OURA’s first collaboration, they managed to pick the perfect partner. No brand can disguise wearable technology quite like Gucci. Like OURA’s other rings, the OURA x Gucci ring tracks your sleep, heart rate, and activity level, but you’d never know because it looks like another one of Gucci’s classic, sleek accessories. 

Gucci elevates the OURA ring by embedding not only their style, but also their attitude. Health-tracking accessories typically capitalize on feelings of shame or guilt, but by making it a luxurious fashion statement, the ring transforms into a tool for self-expression and empowerment. 

This collaboration is a great example of how big brands and small brands can benefit from partnering up. OURA provided Gucci with a path into the wellness market, while Gucci elevated OURA’s brand image…and their prices!

3. Patagonia Provisions x Dogfish Head

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The outcome of Patagonia Provisions X Dogfish Head has us believing that partnerships can save the world. Their co-created beer is made from Kernza, a regenerative grain that pulls carbon directly from the atmosphere and confines it to the ground.

As a sustainable food brand, Patagonia Provisions had already experimented with kernza-based beer. However, they needed help making a beer that could be distributed across the country. 

That’s where collaborations come in handy. As one of the largest breweries in the U.S., DogFish Head was the perfect partner to bring Kernza Pils to market.

What we love most about this collaboration is that it sparks a movement in which we can all take part. By opting for Kernza, customers incentivize farmers to harvest more of it, which directly benefits the planet and helps contribute to a more sustainable brewing industry. 

The brands are literally creating a better planet, one beer at a time.

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4. Merrell x Sweaty Betty

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In 2022, the outdoors are in. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen an uptick in brand collaborations that promote being active in nature, and the trend isn’t going away.

The Merrell x Sweaty Betty collaboration embodies outdoor chic, . Outdoor clothing isn’t usually geared towards women, or if it is, it’s overtly feminine. This collab strikes a perfect balance with hiking sneakers in 3 vibrant colors that are on trend for the target audience. The collection is meant to inspire young women to spend more time outdoors, and it doesn’t disappoint. 

It’s also a great example of how collaborations allow brands to inherit important qualities from their partners. Merrell is not typically thought of as a young person’s brand, but they definitely know how to make outdoor shoes. As a smaller activewear brand, Sweaty Betty benefits from Merrell’s credibility, and they offer hipness in return.

Together, the brands made versatile shoe that makes you want to go hiking but also take an Instagram photo when you get to the top of the mountain. That’s the type of excitement that all brand collaborations should strive to achieve.

5. Minions x Olipop

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A minion-themed, banana cream soda with only 4 grams of sugar? It’s a parent’s dream come true. 

The Minions x Olipop collaboration is brilliant because it appeals to kids and adults alike. The cheeky mischief we associate with Minions makes the soda seem like an indulgent treat, but it’s actually healthy. 

As Olipop’s first collab, this yellow icon marks a coming of age for the brand itself. Collaborations have become such an crucial part of a brand’s growth and marketing strategy that doing your first is a sign you’ve made it. And for a small soda brand, having Universal Pictures as a first partner is shockingly impressive.  

This collab has arrived just in time for summer and Minion’s upcoming sequel, Rise of the Grew. Nothing screams summer like a fun movie and a cold can of soda, and the brands took advantage of that by creating an advertisement that’s almost as entertaining as a movie preview. Heck, the minions are so cute, you might buy the soda based solely on the commercial. 

It’s a diabolical strategy, indeed. 

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There you have it! We hope these collaborations provide you a little inspiration. Stay tuned for our top picks for the best brand collabs of summer ‘22!