China’s hottest brand collabs of 2025

In China and around the world, 2025 was a year defined by kawaii comfort, sparked by the Labubu craze. From Pop Mart and Godiva joining forces on Labubu Dubai Chocolate to Heytea’s summer collaboration with anime IP Chiikawa, cute-led crossovers became powerful traffic drivers for brands. Western brands also grew their market appeal by teaming up with domestic players, as seen in collaborations such as Zara with Ao Yes and Audi with Feng Chen Wang. As Chinese designers continue to assert their strength in an increasingly competitive fashion industry, here are some of the hottest brand collaborations of 2025. Zara x Ao Yes Launch date: January 10 Details: Championing neo-Chinese style, Zara and Chinese designer label Ao Yes celebrated the Year of the Snake with a collection that incorporated the Chinese knot and zodiac symbols into contemporary designs across men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and home goods. Despite being a China-exclusive launch, the collection gained notable attention overseas. XG x Yueqi Qi x Didu x ENG Concept Launch date: March 20 Details: South Korea-based Japanese girl band XG teamed up with emerging Chinese labels Didu and Yueqi Qi for a fashion collaboration that bridged Asian pop culture and high-end merchandise. The line, ranging from knit beanies and camo caps to oversized T-shirts, spotlighted the contrasting signatures of Antwerp-trained Di Du and Central Saint Martins graduate Yueqi Qi. It launched through select concept stores in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen, as well as on the ENG online platform. Feng Chen Wang x Audi Launch date: April 24 Verdict: In April, Chinese-born, London-based designer Feng Chen Wang partnered with Audi on a collaborative project that included an art car alongside a range of shirts and accessories. Blending Audi’s forward-looking automotive language and Wang’s signature approach to reconstruction, the project presented a shared vision rooted in innovation, material experimentation, and progressive design values. Crocs x Dingyun Zhang Launch date: April 24 Verdict: Spring saw Yeezy-trained designer Dingyun Zhang and Crocs release two new versions of the Crocs Diffuser in “Sapphire” and “Black Sand” colorways, continuing their ongoing collaboration. Inspired by an earlier all-white design, the updated slip-on introduced a gradient blue-purple option and a solid black version, priced at around $85. Esoteric Thing x Anar FC Launch date: May 22 Verdict: Esoteric Thing and Shanghai-based football club Anar FC teamed up to fuse streetwear and football culture, marking both brands’ anniversaries with shared symbols, including the number “5.” The collaboration delivered some standout pieces, such as a retro-style jersey embellished with diamanté lettering and a limited “peace dove” colorway, designed to attract both fashion enthusiasts and football fans. Moynat x Kasing Lung (Labubu) Launch date: October 11 Verdict: Blackpink’s Lisa helped electrify the launch of the Moynat x Labubu capsule, a limited‑edition collaboration between the LVMH maison and Pop Mart’s cult‑favorite character. Commemorating Labubu’s 10th anniversary, the drop weaved playful Labubu motifs into Moynat’s heritage leather pieces, underscoring how celebrity endorsement and toy‑culture fandom can drive desirability in the luxury market. Shushu/Tong x Asics Launch date: December 5 Verdict: Shushu/Tong and Asics SportStyle recently rolled out a fresh iteration of their Gel‑Kinetic Fluent collaboration, reworking the performance silhouette with playful, hyper‑feminine details and balletcore elements inspired by the Shanghai label’s design language. The latest drop includes oversized bows integrated into the lacing and contrasting materials across sporty uppers, available in multiple colorways. The new styles hit select markets in early December, becoming one of the year’s most talked-about crossovers between contemporary fashion and sneaker culture. Susan Fang x Apple Launch date: December 6 Verdict: Running from December 6 to 9, Susan Fang’s “Air-Evolution” exhibition in Shanghai saw the Chinese fashion label team up with Apple to promote 3D-printed, nature-inspired tech accessories. In the entrance hall, visitors were introduced to Fang’s design philosophy, emphasizing technology that grows and evolves like living systems, along with her multicultural work with industrial designer Orelio De Jonghe. The projection chamber immersed audiences in generative digital gardens and interactive installations, while the final room displayed these digital forms as wearable objects, including Apple‑inspired accessories and sculptural garments. Esoteric Thing x Nike Launch date: December 12 Verdict: In December, Nike staged a flash pop-up in Shanghai with Chinese streetwear label Esoteric Thing, spotlighting their collaborative, fur-covered Air Max Goadome. The drop, teased as a hidden Easter egg in Esoteric Thing’s WeChat post, reflects Nike’s evolving China strategy, prioritizing community engagement and subculture-driven activations over reliance on traditional wholesale distribution. H&M x Jacques Wei Launch date: Early 2026 Verdict: In October, H&M announced that it had tapped Chinese designer Wei Donghui, founder of Jacques Wei, for a special designer collaboration for Chinese New Year 2026. The collection, the result of an ongoing partnership with Shanghai Fashion Week, reflects H&M’s strategy to deepen engagement with Chinese consumers and elevate homegrown designers on an international stage. Yvmin x Ashley Williams Launch date: Spring 2026 Verdict: British designer Ashley Williams brought her playful sensibility to chic and quirky jewelry brand Yvmin for her Spring 2026 collection, showcased at London Fashion Week in September. Featuring whimsical pieces such as floral toilet paper bracelets and cartoon-inspired window frame brooches, the collaboration seamlessly blends Yvmin’s craftsmanship with Williams’ offbeat creativity. 8on8 x Keen Launch date: Spring 2026 Verdict: Li Gong, founder of the Shanghai-based menswear brand 8ON8, turned heads at Shanghai Fashion Week in October with a show celebrating the upcoming Year of the Horse. In partnership with American outdoor footwear brand Keen, the collection features a limited-edition Jasper shoe in Rose Pink and Bishan Green suede, adorned with Pegasus motifs and tasseled heels inspired by a horse’s tail. It is expected to be released as part of the Spring/Summer 2026 collection. Kasing Lung x Porsche Launch date: 2026 Verdict: At Icons of Porsche 2025 in Dubai, Porsche teamed up with Hong Kong‑born artist Kasing Lung on an art car and a limited collectible, celebrating both 10 years of Lung’s The Monsters universe (which includes characters like Labubu and King Mon) and 60 years of the Porsche 911 Targa. The art car featured a life-size Labubu behind the wheel wearing a Porsche T-shirt, while the centerpiece — a highly limited “King Mon in Porsche 911 Targa” metal sculpture, of which only 60 were produced worldwide — is slated for release in 2026.

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China’s hottest brand collabs of 2025