Author
Senior Packaging Designer
Published
April 21st, 2025
Length
2 Minutes
Fashion collaborations have gone from niche experiments to cultural events that shake the industry. But some collabs? They catch us completely off guard—in the best way possible.
While brands go big on the designs, we don’t always see the same energy in the collaboration packaging. The box, the bag, the wrap—those details are the first thing we touch. So why aren’t they getting more love?
Maison Margiela x Christian Louboutin: Torn Between Two Worlds
Margiela’s deconstructed ethos met Louboutin’s theatrical flair in a collab that looked like fashion fan fiction in the best way. The pieces were bold, sculptural, and glam—but what really stole the show? The collaboration packaging.
Rather than settling for anything ordinary, the brands literally split the packaging in half: one side Maison Margiela’s editorial white, the other side Louboutin’s iconic striped kraft. Torn edges and dual-branded elements made even the box feel like wearable art. A rare case where the packaging was just as conceptual as the shoes.
Gucci x The North Face: Where Adventure Meets Luxury
Now this is how you do collaboration packaging. Gucci and The North Face reimagined what a luxury-outdoor fusion could look like, from bold outerwear to floral puffer jackets—and they didn’t stop at the garments.
Soft pink packaging, luxe textures, and a perfectly mashed-up logo made the unboxing feel like part of the collection. Even the shopping bags were collectible. Gucci understood that packaging is a moment, not just a container.
SKIMS: Mastering Packaging Across Bold Collabs
SKIMS has mastered the art of collaboration packaging, seamlessly blending its minimalist style with the identities of its high-profile partners. From The North Face to Swarovski, Fendi, and Dolce & Gabbana, each collection has unique packaging that reflects the essence of both brands.
In the Dolce & Gabbana collab, bold leopard print contrasted with glossy logos, while Fendi brought monogrammed luxury and The North Face embraced outdoor ruggedness. With Swarovski, a nod to its sparkling crystals was incorporated; going with full silver packaging, adding a luxe touch. Each collaboration was met with packaging that didn’t just contain the product—it elevated the entire experience.
Honorary Mention: Louis Vuitton x Supreme
Louis Vuitton x Supreme is an iconic collab that redefined fashion. After Louis Vuitton issued a cease and desist in 2000, the two came together in 2017, blending high fashion with streetwear in a groundbreaking collection.
However, this collab dropped just before creative packaging took off. The collection came in standard Louis Vuitton packaging—elegant but lacking the co-branded flair we now expect. Imagine if this dropped today: a monogrammed skate deck box or a red-and-brown logo mashup shopping bag? The packaging possibilities would have been endless.
Give Packaging Its Moment
Fashion collabs continue to surprise us with daring designs and wild brand pairings. But as Gucci x The North Face, SKIMS x Dolce & Gabbana, and Margiela x Louboutin showed us, collaboration packaging can be just as unforgettable. It’s time to turn every box, bag, and unboxing into part of the story—because the outside matters just as much as what’s inside.
