Elie Saab, Stella McCartney and Prada: The best fashion collaborations of 2026 and what's still to come
From Victoria Beckham’s polished take on Gap classics to a Royal Oak-inspired Swatch that caused crowds to spill into the streets of Dubai, fashion’s appetite for unlikely partnerships shows little sign of abating. The appeal is simple – collaborations offer a way to borrow a little of another brand’s cultural currency, while giving customers the thrill of something that will not be around…
In the world of fashion, collaborations have become a popular way to combine different brands and create limited-edition collections. One of the most anticipated partnerships for the autumn is Elie Saab x H&M, which will bring the Lebanese couturier's red-carpet glamour to H&M's high-street offerings. The 55-piece collection, set to launch on October 22, will be available in selected H&M stores and online across several Middle Eastern countries, with prices starting at around Dh130 ($35).
On the other end of the spectrum, Victoria Beckham's collaboration with Gap offers a more accessible approach to designer fashion. The first installment of a multi-season partnership, the collection reworks Gap staples from the late 1980s and early 1990s, including denim, trenches, khakis, T-shirts, and fleeces. Prices range from Dh125 for a T-shirt to Dh1,200 for more substantial pieces, making this collaboration one of the most affordable designer options of the year.
Meanwhile, Swatch x Audemars Piguet demonstrated the power of scarcity in the world of luxury fashion. The Royal Oak-inspired watches, created in colorful Swatch form, generated extraordinary demand when unveiled in May. In Dubai, large crowds gathered at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates before the launch, leading to the cancellation of sales events due to safety concerns. The limited availability of these watches reinforced the idea that scarcity can be an effective luxury marketing tool in the age of social media.
Stella McCartney has also collaborated with H&M for the second time in 21 years. The new collection features sustainable materials such as regenerative organic cotton, industrial corn, and recycled metals. The pieces reflect McCartney's signature roomy tailoring and oversized silhouettes, including trench coats, bomber jackets, crystal-embellished bodysuits, and her famous Rock Royalty T-shirt.
Lastly, Prada x Gentle Monster brought together Milanese fashion and Seoul's experimental eyewear culture. The limited-edition sunglasses feature a subtly altered, flipped Prada logo and sculptural shapes, accompanied by a campaign starring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi. The collection, released in July, was made available exclusively through pop-ups in Japan, South Korea, and China, keeping the release narrow and exclusive.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
