Pop culture has always played a huge part in apparel trends, whether they determine the collaborations or are the focal point of what’s to be expected from the designs, streetwear brands have always jumped on every opportunity to allow consumers to express themselves in every way. From The Simpsons collaboration with Vans to LEGO and Adidas, streetwear is indeed everywhere.
Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes — or Warner Bros. at large — is another massive influence on modern culture. These cartoons were the very shows that brought joy to American adults everywhere during the ’90s. Because of the ubiquitous nature of Warner Bros. in the entertainment industry, it is no wonder that the animation sector of the studio has held its weight through the ages, staying relevant through collaborating with sneakers and streetwear brands. Below, we take a look at some of the most memorable and nostalgic collaborations.
Warner Bros x Converse Collection
This past July 2020 marked the 80th birthday of the loveable animated rabbit, Bugs Bunny. As such, Converse announced their way of paying tribute to the sleek and funny hare through the release of sneaker collections starring none other than Bugs Bunny himself.
The silhouettes of the shoes are designed in such a way that no matter what color blocking, design, or pattern you throw on them, they will be looking super fresh.
Converse’s collaboration with Warner Bros brings sneakerheads a set of Pro-leather, Chuck 70, and Chuck Taylor All-Star silhouettes. The shoes feature different styles of the animated bunny on its side, from full-body shots to face profiles stiched over. The shoes also feature signature details from the animation, such as the iconic catchphrase, “What’s up doc?” found on the inner sides of the tongue. Not only that, the collection releases a set of apparel to wear as well.
Warner Bros x Jordan Collaboration
Beyond Converse, the Jordan brand has always had a close relationship with Warner Bros. Owing to the resounding success of the iconic animated movie, Space Jam starring Michael Jordan, the loveable rabbit has had its hands in the basketball world ever since, inspiring generations of kids for years. Five years ago, the Jordan brand brought forth two beautiful sneakers that celebrated their reunion with Warner Bros, releasing the Air Jordan 1 Mid ‘Hare’ and Air Jordan 1 Mid ‘Lola.’
Shop Air Jordan 1 Mid ‘Hare’ on Novelship
Instantly recognizable by its signature Bugs Bunny silhouette on the multi-coloured tongue, the Air Jordan 1 Mid ‘Hare’ is a bulky shoe with a red and white colourway. The shoe is mostly white on the upper, with red appearing on the outsole and inner lining. Released in 2015, the sneaker pays tribute to Michael Jordan and the film Space Jam.
The Air Jordan 1 Mid ‘Lola’ is a woman’s shoe that comes in a colour blocking inspired by the Lola bunny character featured in the Space Jam animated film. With an off white top with yellow accents, the sneaker comes in a light shade of pink, with a flat yellow outsole covering the white midsole. Much like its counterpart, the tongue is multi-coloured, with a hint of pink and emerald blue. Accented with a defined feminine touch, the shoe is an excellent option for female athletes and/or sport-lovers.
Final thoughts
The Warner Bros. collaborations with Nike and Converse are gentle nods to Warner Bros and everything they’ve done to influence the modern American culture. These aforementioned collaborative releases in streetwear and sneakers have allowed modern adults that grew up with such shows to express their love and fanaticism.
With the upcoming release of the second Space Jam movie starring LeBron James, we can expect to see future collaboration releases coming out from Nike and others.