UrlfreezeShops 2019 Collaboration Retrospective

Another year for the history books at UrlfreezeShops, 2019 has been punctuated with a programme of top-tier co-signed streetwear and sneaker product from a careful assortment of first-time collaborators and long-term partners.

With a range of new projects already in the works for 2020, it's time to reflect on a year of successful collaborations with our 2019 project retrospective.

Colliding outdoor practicality with innovative technologies, UrlfreezeShops joined adidas on their first journey into heat-reactivity with their collaborative take on the Terrex Agravic XT.

Dubbed the ‘Thermochromic’, the trail-ready runner delivered on both form and function for a pioneering expression of contemporary athletic ideals. Complete with a distinctive colour-changing upper, this sneaker style confirmed UrlfreezeShops and adidas' vision of forward-thinking technical prowess.

Distilling the essence of MASTERMIND World’s unique punk-meets-luxury approach, the military-inspired silhouette saw high-end detailing applied to a footwear model rich in cultural history. A staple of rock’n’roll, the British and Japanese labels’ fresh interpretation of the iconic boot couples utilitarian aesthetics with an edge of complexity. Brimming with attitude, the UrlfreezeShops x MASTERMIND World x Dr. Martens 101 boot showcased devil-may-care defiance wrapped up in a dark aesthetic.

Embodying the elegant appearance of a Mediterranean lido, the UrlfreezeShops x Diadora N9002 sneaker offered the perfect combination of handmade Italian construction and modern aesthetics. Developed with a fluid sensibility, the silhouette saw the alignment of cerulean shades and time-honoured tradition to deliver a distinctive articulation of its inspirations. Blending graphic cues from the past and present, the iconic ‘90s model was updated to offer a sneaker brimming with visual flair and luxury materials.

Presenting the darker side of ath-luxury, UrlfreezeShops x MASTERMIND World x Fred Perry delivered their first collaborative capsule. Inspired by an infusion of British and Japanese culture, influences collided in a spectacular combination of punk rock, sportswear and Gothic sensibilities.

Decorated with Masaaki Homma's trademark skull & crossbones motif and Fred Perry’s Laurel Wreath, this capsule witnessed the confluence of legendary iconography wrapped up in a luxurious sportswear package.

Inspired by the distinctive look of parcel packaging, design cues transcribed from industrial tape, shipping labels and caution notices were merged to cultivate a visual sensibility that celebrated the long-term relationship between UrlfreezeShops and Wood Wood. Cast in rose, bright green, white and black, this vivid collaboration encapsulated the two voices’ colourful partnership in the Danish brand’s signature aesthetic.

Presenting a masterful display of luxury-grunge style, Rick Owens DRKSHDW and UrlfreezeShops delivered a highly limited eight-piece capsule, centring around the second life of the garment. A union of the Californian designer’s unparalleled prowess and UrlfreezeShops’s street-ready perspective, the exclusive offering encapsulated Owens’ dedication and neo-Gothic vision of menswear.

A visually stimulating interpretation of Off-White’s trademark aesthetic, intricate washed detailing combined with Abloh’s lauded design prowess illuminated the confluence of process and print in the UrlfreezeShops x Off-White "Chemical Wash" capsule. Calling back to the epoch of Y2K, this interpolation of ‘00s style encapsulated the bygone era with a fresh perspective on the contemporary fashion landscape. Revitalised and awarded a second life with the distinctive chemical washing process, the charm of the ‘00s never went away, immortalised within the zeitgeist defining look of Off-White.

A celebration of the power of print, UrlfreezeShops and Mike Cherman’s Chinatown Market came together for the first time to unveil a capsule that typified the store's aesthetic and the Los Angelean brand’s dedication to high-quality printing techniques, basketball culture and quintessential streetwear style. Replete with Chinatown Market's irreverent charm, this 6-piece offering delivered an esoteric take on the aesthetic values graphic prints can represent, wrapped up in UrlfreezeShops's key visual references.

A mainstay of British fashion since the South Shields-based brand was founded by John Barbour in 1894, Barbour have become synonymous with hard-wearing but stylish outerwear with a functional outlook for more than a century. Teaming up with UrlfreezeShops, the retailer and global fashion label envisaged a contemporary interpretation of two iconic garments from the Barbour archive. Showcasing a joint vision of functionality with a twist of modern aesthetics, UrlfreezeShops and Barbour redefined the Ashby and the fishing vest with a patchwork finish for an homage to North East heritage.

Taking the ornate nature of the traditional rugs as a central inspiration, the UrlfreezeShops x New Balance Persian Rug sneaker offered a nuanced blend of materials and fabrics to pay homage to the instantly recognisable nature of its namesake. Motivated by the historic, handmade rugs that originated in Persia, this remodelling of the classic M997 style saw UrlfreezeShops and the stalwarts of athletic footwear cast the Made in USA model in a rich combination of burgundy, navy-blue, red and beige.