Whether you’re into streetwear, gorpcore, or high fashion, 2022 has been a great year for style overall. Brands like Supreme, Aimé Leon Dore, and Awake NY have maintained their freshness. Meanwhile, heritage luxury labels like Gucci have released exciting collaborations that continue to draw new consumers in. Nigo’s Human Made collaborating with Lil Uzi Vert, Tremaine Emory’s Denim Tears presenting a runway show in Egypt with Dior, and Billie Eilish wearing Rick Owens to the Grammys were just some of the memorable moments.
Here are Complex’s picks for the best brands of 2022.
Louis Vuitton
Image via Complex Original
Standout Moments: Tyler, the Creator’s original composition for their Fall/Winter 2022 collection, the presentation of Virgil Abloh’s final collection as the creative director of menswear, and the release of Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1, designed by Abloh
As the artistic director of menswear, Virgil Abloh took Louis Vuitton to unforetold heights as he reinterpreted the brand’s legacy, and connected its heritage to the realms largely unrecognized by “high fashion” like streetwear, hip-hop, and Black talent. His sudden passing last November sent shockwaves throughout the brand, and at the tail end of 2021 we saw “Virgil Was Here,” Louis Vuitton’s first tribute to the late designer during the presentation of his Spring/Summer 2022 collection. This night would set the tone for the brand’s direction in 2022, as it kicked off a year imbued with commendations for the late designer.
The brand started off the year with the first release of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 collaboration exclusively through Sotheby’s. Two-hundred pairs of sneakers donning the iconic LV Monogram and Damier patterns were sold through the auction house, with an average price coming in at a cool $126,000. Before the general release of the collab, fans and prospective buyers got a look at the full 47-shoe lineup at the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Brooklyn where the brand hosted a pop-up event. Those who were lucky enough to cop a pair when they dropped online—the website was down most of the day due to high volumes of traffic—spent a minimum of $2,750 (and probably flipped them for much, much more).
In January, the brand presented its Fall/Winter 2022 collection called “An Octology According To Virgil Abloh.” It was the last collection Abloh touched before his death, and his vision reverberated throughout. Performance poet Mustafa opened the show by reciting his work, and was accompanied by an orchestra playing a glimmering soundtrack composed by Tyler, the Creator, who rode throughout the presentation on an LV bike. What followed was a series of callbacks to Abloh’s eight-season arc as creative director. Subverted-luxury was a runway staple, like a classic LV trunk decked out in climbing holds, carabiners, and radio antennas and leather monogrammed five-panel hats.
Virgil’s presence continued to be felt during Louis Vuitton’s standout Spring/Summer 2023 presentation at Paris Fashion Week. The show memorably opened with Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 band—an HBCU—opening the show, which also included a live performance byKendrick Lamar.Keeping the late designer’s vision in mind, one of Abloh’s longtime collaborators, Playlab Inc., created moving sculptures for the sequel presentation of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection in Aranya, China. It was the first collection Abloh had not touched and followed the release ofLouis Vuitton: Virgil Ablohin September, a book dedicated to his work.
Ending 2022 on a strong note, Louis Vuitton announced the revival of their collaboration with contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Their first partnership in 2012, under the creative direction of Marc Jacobs, brought Kusama’s signature polka dot designs to LV duffels, totes, watches, and more. Safe to say we’re excited for what 2023 will bring. After all, we’re still waiting on a new creative director of menswear to be crowned.—Alessandra Maldonado
Standout Moments: Union x Air Jordan 2, Union x Nike Dunk Low “Passport Pack,” Union x Supervsn “SuperUnion” capsule, Mr. Morale and the Big Stepperspop-up
Fresh off of a busy 2021 that saw Union celebrating its 30th anniversary, Chris Gibbs and Beth Birkett have kept up the momentum in 2022. Gibbs isn’t just stamping a Frontman on T-shirts to channel some nostalgia from streetwear OGs. Instead, Union’s in-line offerings go beyond graphics such as workwear tops that fuse a poplin shirt with a chore coat or liner vest made out of boiled wool.
Union’s steady stream of collaborations throughout the year prove that Gibbs still has his finger on the pulse of streetwear at every level. Just look at Union’s booth at ComplexCon 2022—an art installation that positioned a growing brand like Crenshaw Skate Club beside established names like Fear of God and clean merch for Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. Other projects saw Union use its platform to aid the youth communities in Haiti and spotlight fellow Los Angeles streetwear brands Supervsn and Camp High. And don’t forget about its sneaker collabs like the “Passport” Nike Dunk Lows or duo of Air Jordan 2s that also made some noise. The accompanying campaigns, like this short directed by Birkett, also deserve praise. Your Future Is Now highlighted various small business owners of color in the Los Angeles area who are helping create our “future utopia” to model the collection. Union, the streetwear boutique, has solidified its status by being at the forefront of the culture for three decades. Union, the brand, also needs its recognition. —Mike DeStefano
