Trapstar, a London-based streetwear brand, has risen from the underground to become a global cultural phenomenon. Known for its gritty, rebellious style and roots in UK grime and hip-hop culture, Trapstar has long been a favorite among musicians, celebrities, and fashion-forward individuals. The brand’s signature dark aesthetic, utilitarian designs, and bold graphics have earned it a cult following, but it’s Trapstar’s collaborations with high-fashion brands that have propelled it into the luxury fashion world.
In this blog, we’ll dive into Trapstar’s most significant collaborations with high fashion brands, exploring how the brand has successfully merged streetwear with the world of luxury fashion.
The Rise of Trapstar: From Streetwear to High Fashion
Founded in 2008 by Mikey Trapstar, Lee, and Will, Trapstar started as a small label selling T-shirts and hoodies out of the trunks of cars in London. The brand’s DIY ethos and its connections to the UK’s music scene—particularly grime—helped it quickly gain a loyal following. With celebrity endorsements from the likes of Rihanna, Jay-Z, and A$AP Rocky, Trapstar grew into a global streetwear brand.
Trapstar’s unique ability to bridge streetwear culture and high fashion is what has made it so influential. Over the past decade, as streetwear has gained increasing respect within luxury fashion, Trapstar has stood at the forefront of this movement, collaborating with major brands and pushing the boundaries of what streetwear can achieve in the luxury space.
Key High Fashion Collaborations
Trapstar x Puma: Luxury Athleisure Meets Streetwear
One of Trapstar’s most significant collaborations with a global fashion brand came in the form of its long-running partnership with Puma. This collaboration, which started in 2014, marked Trapstar’s first foray into the world of athletic wear, and it quickly became a favorite among streetwear and sneaker enthusiasts.
The Trapstar x Puma collections were notable for their seamless blend of high-performance athletic gear and Trapstar’s signature street-ready style. The collaboration featured sneakers, tracksuits, jackets, and accessories, all designed with a dark, militaristic aesthetic that Trapstar is known for. Key items, such as the Puma Disc Blaze sneakers and military-style jackets, became iconic pieces in streetwear culture, often selling out shortly after release.
What set the Trapstar x Puma collaboration apart from others was the focus on premium materials and attention to detail, which elevated it beyond standard streetwear into the realm of luxury athleisure. Each piece was designed with the same rebellious energy that defines Trapstar, but with the added quality and performance Puma brings to its athletic wear. This collaboration has solidified Trapstar’s ability to compete in the high-fashion arena.
Trapstar x Netflix (Money Heist): Blending Fashion and Pop Culture
In 2021, Trapstar took a unique approach to high fashion by collaborating with Netflix on a collection inspired by the global hit show Money Heist (also known as La Casa de Papel). While not a traditional high-fashion collaboration, this partnership demonstrated Trapstar’s ability to intersect with popular culture and create luxury streetwear collections that resonate with a broader audience.
The Trapstar x Money Heist collection included limited-edition T-shirts, hoodies, and jackets, all featuring iconic imagery from the show, such as the infamous Dali mask and red jumpsuits. The collection was instantly popular among both fans of the show and streetwear enthusiasts, highlighting Trapstar’s global appeal and ability to create culturally relevant fashion.
Although this collaboration was tied to a television show, the collection was designed with the same premium quality and attention to detail that Trapstar brings to its high-fashion collaborations, further cementing its reputation as a brand that can bridge different industries and still maintain its streetwear ethos.
Trapstar x Gucci (Rumored): Crossing into Luxury Fashion’s Upper Echelons
Trapstar’s connections with high fashion have led to persistent rumors of a potential collaboration with Gucci, one of the world’s most iconic luxury fashion houses. While no official collaboration has been confirmed, Trapstar’s founders and celebrity fans have often been seen sporting custom Gucci pieces that align with the brand’s aesthetic, sparking speculation about a future partnership.
A Trapstar x Gucci collaboration would represent a significant step for Trapstar, marking its entry into the highest echelons of luxury fashion. Such a collaboration would also signal the continuing influence of streetwear on the luxury sector, as more and more high-end fashion houses look to streetwear brands like Trapstar to stay culturally relevant.
If this collaboration were to materialize, it would likely include luxury streetwear pieces, such as hoodies, bombers, and accessories, crafted with Gucci’s signature craftsmanship and high-quality materials, but infused with Trapstar’s rebellious, street-inspired aesthetic. This fusion of luxury and street would not only push the boundaries of both brands but also reinforce Trapstar’s influence on the evolving relationship between streetwear and high fashion.
Trapstar x Bape (A Bathing Ape): Streetwear Powerhouses Unite
While Trapstar’s collaborations with athletic and luxury brands have garnered much attention, its work with A Bathing Ape (Bape), one of the most iconic streetwear brands globally, stands out as a collaboration between two streetwear heavyweights. In 2018, Trapstar and Bape teamed up to create a limited-edition collection that showcased both brands' signature styles.
The collection included a variety of pieces, from camouflage hoodies and graphic tees to bomber jackets that combined Bape’s famous camo designs with Trapstar’s gritty, militaristic style. This collaboration represented the ultimate fusion of Japanese streetwear innovation and UK urban culture, with the collection selling out in record time.
While Bape may not be considered a traditional high-fashion brand, its influence on global streetwear and its collaborations with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton make it a key player in the high-end streetwear movement. The Trapstar x Bape collaboration further showcased Trapstar’s ability to collaborate with global brands and elevate streetwear to a luxury status.
5. Trapstar x 24k Goldn: Fashion Meets Music in a Luxury Collaboration
Trapstar has long been associated with the music industry, and in 2020, the brand collaborated with American rapper 24k Goldn on a limited-edition collection. While primarily a streetwear collaboration, the attention to detail and premium materials used in the collection brought it into the realm of high fashion.
The Trapstar x 24k Goldn collection featured exclusive graphic hoodies, T-shirts, and accessories that reflected the rapper’s bold, energetic style while staying true to Trapstar’s dark, urban aesthetic. The collaboration was a hit among both streetwear fans and music enthusiasts, further cementing Trapstar’s position at the intersection of music, fashion, and luxury.
Trapstar’s Influence on the Luxury Fashion Landscape
What makes Trapstar stand out in the world of fashion is its ability to stay true to its streetwear roots while successfully collaborating with global brands and high-fashion houses. The brand’s signature rebellious aesthetic, bold graphics, and militaristic themes have remained consistent throughout its collaborations, even as it has entered the world of luxury fashion.
Trapstar’s collaborations are unique because they don’t just slap a luxury logo on streetwear. Instead, they maintain the integrity of Trapstar’s underground, street-ready vibe while infusing luxury elements like premium materials, high-end craftsmanship, and limited-edition releases. This balance of streetwear authenticity and luxury appeal is what has made Trapstar such a successful brand in the high fashion space.
The Future of Trapstar in High Fashion Collaborations
As streetwear continues to dominate the luxury fashion world, it’s likely that Trapstar will pursue more collaborations with high-fashion brands in the future. Rumors of partnerships with brands like Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga have been circulating for years, and as Trapstar’s influence continues to grow, these collaborations could soon become a reality.
Trapstar’s ability to collaborate with both streetwear and luxury brands, while maintaining its own identity, ensures that it will remain a key player in the evolving fashion landscape. The brand’s commitment to quality, creativity, and cultural relevance positions it perfectly to continue leading the charge in the merging of streetwear and luxury fashion.
Conclusion: Trapstar’s Legacy in High Fashion Collaborations
Trapstar’s collaborations with high-fashion brands have demonstrated the power of streetwear in today’s fashion world. From its early partnership with Puma to the potential for future collaborations with Gucci, Trapstar has proven that it can hold its own in the world of luxury fashion while maintaining its underground, rebellious roots.
The brand’s ability to merge streetwear culture with high-fashion aesthetics has made it a key player in the fashion industry’s ongoing shift toward a more inclusive, diverse, and culturally relevant future. As Trapstar continues to grow and expand its influence, its collaborations with high-fashion brands will remain at the forefront of this movement, solidifying its legacy as one of the most important streetwear brands of our time.