The year is finally nearing its end, and as we begin tying up all things 2022 in a neat little bow, we can’t help but notice the many tech collaborations that have come our way—some are inspired, others are tired. One thing is certain, big and boutique brands alike continue to tap into the world of fashion whether to come up with original creations or reinterpret iconic staples.
BEATS X KIM KARDASHIAN
Creative collaboration at Apple isn’t particularly a newsworthy event; the tech behemoth has been engaging with global creators for years. But the buzz was through the roof when the streets caught wind of a possible partnership with reality TV star, business mogul and breaker of the Internet Kim Kardashian.
What transpired thoroughly lived up to the hype. The Beats x Kim collaboration brought forth a trio of Beats Fit Pro earphones reimagined in a neutral colour palette—a signature of Kardashian who has splattered the minimalist shades across her own beauty and clothing labels—namely Moon, Dune and Earth.
But more than just an accessory to complement one’s daily wardrobes, the wireless earbuds parade technical mastery that will satisfy the most discerning audiophile. Among the highlights here are the secure-fit wingtips that flex to fit your ears as well as the Spatial Audio feature with dynamic head tracking.
BALENCIAGA X BANG & OLUFSEN
Imagine the dapper John Cusack—or Timothée Chalamet for the Gen Z readers—blasting Peter Gabriel’s In Your Eyes in your driveway but instead of a boom box, he’s holding the speaker bag by Balenciaga and Bang & Olufsen over his head. This piece of accessory has become a cultural phenomenon in its own right.
Debuted at Balenciaga’s 51st couture show in Paris and paraded across the room by a number of models, the fully functional bag slash portable speaker that resembles the sculptural form of Balenciaga’s mainstay handbags marries the worlds of technology and fashion in ways that have never been done before.
The limited-edition hybrid bag features Bang & Olufsen’s powerful portable speaker and signature portable speaker styling. On the bag’s rear, a door opens to reveal a sizeable compartment wrapped in Balenciaga’s Italian lambskin leather. The piece is finished with a set of controls placed under the handle.
GUCCI X OURA
Perhaps the idiosyncratic sartorial vision of Alessandro Michele has become so ingrained in the mainstream media that we’ve sometimes mistaken heart palpitations for pure excitement. Then came the special edition Gucci x Oura ring—a health-conscious collaboration we didn’t know we needed.
Developed in tandem with health and wellness platform Oura, the ring boasts all of the brand’s research-grade technology. It offers tailor-made wellness that comes with an Oura membership and packs the advanced features of the Oura Gen3 including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, sleep analysis and more.
Gucci, on the other hand, lends its original aesthetic and further elevates the ring’s sleek and versatile appearance. The design details of the ring include a subtle impression of the Italian fashion house’s instantly recognisable interlocking G monogram and a delicate, braided trim in 18k gold.
COTODAMA X MASTERMIND JAPAN
Those who have been keeping up with the latest trends in audio and sound would know of the retro-futuristic Lyric Speaker Box by Tokyo-based design company Cotodama. Often cited as the next-generation wifi speaker, it is equipped with innovative and fun-filled Lyric Sync Technology.
The latest edition of Cotodama Lyric Speaker Box, a third iteration from the brand, takes it up a notch through a partnership with fashion label Mastermind Japan. Leaning heavily on the original’s minimalist aesthetic, the speaker now comes in new stainless steel Military Silver and Night Black versions.
Everywhere else, the Cotodama Lyric Speaker Box pretty much preserves all the fan-favourite functions. The lyrics of the playing songs are still displayed on the transparent LCD monitor in matching motion graphics and fonts, and the sonics are articulated through a two-way bass-reflex speaker for a wide range of sound.
LEICA X A BATHING APE X STASH
Street photography meets streetwear meets street art. Leica’s hottest drop this year brought the three creative branches together as the German high-end camera manufacturer tapped Japanese cult label A Bathing Ape and American visual artist Stash aka Josh Franklin in a special collaboration.
Featuring A Bathing Ape’s signature ABC Camo look and its Ape Head insignia as well as Stash’s distinctive wild style tag, the Leica D-Lux 7 A Bathing Ape x Stash compact camera lands with a black-finish or silver treatment, and offers the same technical specifications as the serially produced model.
Among the notable functions here are Leica’s large Micro Four Thirds sensor and the fast zoom lens with optical image stabilisation that guarantee a higher image quality. Not only that, in addition to high-resolution photographs, the sensor also delivers exceptional 4K 30fps and full-HD 60fps videos.
TEENAGE ENGINEERING X OFF-WHITE
Virgil Abloh’s artistic legacy and cultural impact will endure for generations to come—this much we know is true. But who knew that there’s more to his story that what’s already been written? Teenage Engineering, a Stockholm-based company known for its uber-stylish synthesisers, tells all with its latest output.
Aptly called the OB–4 Off-White, the device reimagines the original OB–4 portable high fidelity loudspeaker with Abloh’s own spin and trademark on its disk mode—a space that activates Teenage Engineering’s experimental features that include ambient, karma and metronome.
The limited-edition magic radio is refreshed in a shade of luminous orange, and comes with a new and exciting feature: the gyil music by Ghanaian artiste SK Kakraba. A traditional instrument of Ghana, the gyil has 14 wooden keys that are played with rubber mallets, and is known for its distinct buzzing sound.
