By FEMALE Staff ,
Streetwear is set to endure for at least another decade, with designer brands continually pushing the trend and releasing new styles of sneakers. Notable examples include Salomon’s collaboration with Sandy Liang and Puma’s recent tie-up with streetwear brand Carrots. Even if streetwear isn't your style, sneakers are hard to ignore due to their versatility. Here are sneaker styles that work for everything from a casual Friday #ootd to a weekend brunch with friends or a partner.
Since its first drop in 2003, Louis Vuitton's era-defining tie-up with Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami has set the standards for blockbuster collaborations. In 2024, the fashion house launched a re-edition to mark its 20th anniversary, with the second chapter (which focuses on Murakami's popular cherry blossom motif) dropping in stores this month. It's all but guaranteed to be catnip for the girly girls out there.
Fashion meets function for Marni's newest collaboration with running shoe and performance wear brand, Hoka. The collaboration is a stylish take on Hoka's B3LS sneaker, available in four colours (red, black, blue and yellow). With a highly responsive rubber sole, cushioned EVA insoles, and a subtly rubberised, lightly padded polyester upper for enhanced comfort and durability, these running shoes are for the sporty fashionistas looking for a functional statement shoe for their high-intensity gym workouts or run clubs.
Perfect for hot girl walks and run club sessions, Salomon's XT-Whispers got a girly makeover with the help of Sandy Liang, the New York-native known for her playful coquette-core design.
Song For The Mute x Adidas 004 Country OG faux calf hair, suede, and patent faux leather sneakers, US$205 (S$273), www.ssense.com
Aussie designer label Song For The Mute’s (SFTM) latest collaboration with Adidas introduces the Country OG 004 Collection, blending past and present chapters. Known for their deconstructed aesthetic, SFTM reimagines the classic Country OG with a mix of pony hair, patent leather, and suede inspired by vintage adidas designs. The three-shoe lineup features bold hues—Bronze Strata, Maroon, and Core Black—accented with vivid suede Three Stripes, dual-branded details, and EVA-cushioned soles. With cream rope laces and a drawstring toggle, the collection continues SFTM’s narrative-driven approach to design.
From Loewe's second collaboration with sportswear brand, On, the Cloudtilt 2.0 sneaker merges Spanish luxury with Swiss engineering, refining the original Cloudtilt with enhanced durability and comfort. The design features a multi-layer performance mesh upper, rubber toe-guards, extra padding, and an ultra light foam sole ensure superior cushioning - this season’s refresh introduces soft palettes, with crisp white bases accented by playful colour pops.
Unveiled at Cecilie Bahnsen’s Fall/Winter 2024 show, the ASICS Gel-Terrain rework merges performance with romance. Built on the GT-2000 8 base, it features a ripstop mesh upper adorned with padded 3D florals, a glossy finish, and a monochrome palette for a sleek contrast. A technical speed lacing system, complete with a bespoke floral puller, adds a delicate touch to this refined yet functional sneaker, available in three colourways.
Comme des Garcons x Salomon XT-6 Expanse Platform synthetic and rubber sneakers, $573, Club21
In 2024, Salomon reunited with Japanese streetwear brand Comme Des Garcons to rework the XT-6. Mix Salomon's sportswear know-how with Comme Des Garcon's fashion-forwardness is a black and white monochromatic makeover, complete with more layers, mesh, and a towering 70mm platform sole.
Comme des Garcons x Nike Air Foamposite One sneakers, $445 Dover Street Market Singapore
Exclusively crafted for Dover Street Market, these high-top sneakers boast a psychedelic embossed ripple pattern that ensures your shoes steal the spotlight in any fit.
The partnership between Miu Miu and New Balance, which began in 2022, is proving to be a collaboration that just keeps on giving. The latest release shines a spotlight on the 190s-era 530 model – ideal for those who favour a sleeker, more streamlined look over those chunky kicks.
100 Thieves x Adidas Originals Rivalry Nadeshot Shoes, $199, Adidas Brand Centre Orchard
Gamers, listen up! 100 Thieves, the brainchild of Matthew 'Nadeshot' Haag, has just teamed up with Adidas Originals for a collaboration that's set to up your sneaker game. The low-top sneakers feature Nadeshot’s touch: an off-white upper, a gum rubber outsole, and co-branded details like lace charms and sock liners. Oh, and don’t miss the Nadeshot logos on the right heel, moustache, and tongues – because even your kicks deserve a bit of flair.
In recent months, it's fair to say that the French footwear brand has become a staple for many, particularly those interested in the Gorpcore trend, thanks to its signature XT-6 models. This season, the brand is raising the bar by blending a masculine trend with a touch of feminine flair. For the second drop of their ongoing collaboration, Salomon has teamed up with Sandy Liang to introduce two advanced designs that add a bit of pizzazz to your look. First up is the RX MJ, an updated version of the RX MOC 3.0 from their previous collaboration. This model offers a more classic take on the quintessential Mary Jane, featuring the same feather-light 3D-mesh upper as its predecessor and elasticated straps reminiscent of traditional ballet slipper
MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon XT-4 Mules sneakers, US$635 (S$853), Maison Margiela
Sneaker hybrids are rapidly gaining popularity, and Salomon has swiftly jumped on the bandwagon with its latest collaboration with Maison Margiela. First announced earlier this year, the brand has officially launched the much-anticipated MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon XT-4 Mules. Transformed into a slip-on style, these shoes embody MM6’s distinctive design elements while retaining their technical sneaker qualities.
School is back in session, and what better way to step into the halls than with Fenty’s latest collaboration with Puma? Enter The Creeper Phatty – Rihanna’s newest take on the original Creeper. Bigger and bolder than ever, this new silhouette features an oversized design and stacked gum sole, available in various colourways including triple-black and classic red and white corduroy.
Known for her sustainable and tongue-in-cheek designs, Boulder-based designer Nicole McLaughlin has given Hoka’s Mafate Three2 a fresh makeover. This revamped version features Hoka’s cushioned sole paired with a full-coverage, four-in-one gaiter system. Additionally, the shoe includes five utility pockets and co-branded labels, offering a street-ready look with a cinched entry and Velcro heel spike.
Los Angeles-based label Carrots by Anwar Carrots has teamed up with Puma for a summer collaboration. Alongside its vibrant apparel, the collection features reworked versions of Puma’s Suede XL and 180 silhouettes. In particular, the Suede XL is a striking choice, completely enveloped in a textured orange hue and highlighted with bright green laces.
This summer, Nike celebrated its 50th anniversary by collaborating with Jacquemus for the first time ever, launching a collection of apparel and footwear. Versatile and highly functional, the collection is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. Infusing tennis-ready activewear with Parisian allure, the designs feature elevated elements that merge Parisian fashion with the future of the sport. Besides the stunning colour palette, we can’t help but rave about the waffle-like outsole that makes these sneakers truly stand out.
New Balance shows no signs of slowing down with its collaborations. Following partnerships with Jaden Smith and WTAPS, the Boston-based brand is now joining forces with Stone Island – their first collaboration since 2013. Founded in 1982 by Italian designer Massimo Osti, Stone Island is renowned for its garment-dyed, military-inspired outerwear. The brand has previously collaborated with other sportswear giants, including Nike and Supreme. The collection features Stone Island’s signature garment-dye technique and incorporates fabrics such as Dyneema, the strongest material on the planet. With this in mind, you can expect some of the most durable sneakers on the market. The first chapter of this long-term collaboration updates New Balance’s RC_Elite, giving the sneaker a more heritage-inspired design. Featuring hyper-light FuelCell technology and a carbon fibre plate, the midsole enhances performance with a propulsive transition and 360-degree functionality.
This article includes portions of an article that first appeared in Her World