Odds on the Next Male Fashion Collaboration

Like drunk freshmen and competitive anglers, fashion loves hook ups. As far as designers go, two is often better than one: style mash-ups combine the best of design and artistry, and streamlines them into one chic package.

Chain retailer H&M has mastered the art of the designer collaboration, bringing high-street looks from the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Balmain to the masses at affordable prices. Topshop, Target, and JCPenney have all followed suit with their own critically acclaimed designer collections.

On the other end of the fashion spectrum, luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, YSL, and Chanel have turned to male artists and celebrities to reinvent their classic designs for a younger generation. Everyone from Yeezy to Justin Bieber have acted as muses for the top fashion houses, and that trend shows no signs of slowing down.

Which fashion power couple will take the spotlight next? We take a look at some of the likely candidates below, and set the odds on the next male fashion collaboration.

Kanye West X Balmain: 3/2

“Kimye” has had a love affair with Balmain for years. They are both friends with creative director Olivier Rousteing and have donned the French fashion house several times on the red carpet. Yeezy is also really into fashion. (Evidently, he shops so much that he unconsciously acquired the ability to speak Italian and no longer has need of a stylist.)  He’s already worked with Nike, Louis Vuitton, Bape, and Adidas, so a collaboration with Balmain is certainly not a stretch.

Marc Jacobs X Louis Vuitton: 4/1

Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton have collaborated a number of times over the years. Who can forget those iconic graffiti-emblazoned bags from the early 2000s, or the adorable anime-inspired prints from the spring/summer 2003 runway collection? Jacobs is celebrated for his artistic partnerships with streetwear designers, and is proof that art and fashion can have a mainstream audience. As Louis Vuitton continues to reinvent its monogrammed leather pieces, we can expect another artist collaboration in the near future.

Tom Ford X Jay Z: 7/1

Tom Ford is one of America’s most prominent fashion designers. Jay Z is one of the greatest hip hop artists/business moguls in the country. So it would come as no surprise if these two titans joined forces. We know Jay Z is already a fan of Ford’s style, having been his brand ambassador for years. Young Hov even named a track after the American designer. We know Ford likes to work with celebs as well. Past collaborations have included Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga.

Timberland Shoes X A$AP Bari: 10/1

A$AP Bari was recently featured wearing Timberland’s new Highway Super Boot in Hyperbeast Magazine, which may hint at a partnership down the road. Timberland has a history of collaborating with streetwear brands and hip-hop artists. Pharrell, Wale, 10.Deep, and Mastermind are just some of the creative minds behind some of their most popular models in recent years. Well-received by consumers, Timberland’s blend of streetwear and function has kept the classic brand current in the fashion world.

Apple Watch X Rolex: 12/1

In an effort to make the Apple Watch more fashionable, the tech giant recently teamed up with luxe brand Hermes to create an exclusive line of chic leather bands for their high-end timepieces. If Apple’s luxury-centric approach is to continue, a partnership with Swiss watchmaker Rolex would make sense. Known for their ultra-expensive wristwatches, Rolex would up the extravagance (and the price tag) of Apple’s already top-notch tickers.

(Photo credit: By S. Affandi (http://flickr.com/photos/saffandi/455093343/) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)