Brain Dead has never played by the rules. As a brand deeply rooted in art, counterculture, and experimental design, its collaborations are far from ordinary. Unlike many streetwear partnerships that focus on co-branding, Brain Dead brings a disruptive, avant-garde energy to each collaboration, transforming everyday pieces into wearable art.

From sneakers to workwear to outdoor gear, Brain Dead’s partnerships constantly blur the lines between fashion, functionality, and underground aesthetics. Below, we dive into some of their most stunning collaborations—the ones that shook up the industry and left fans craving more.

Nike x Brain Dead: A Sneaker That Redefined Chaos

Brain Dead’s collaboration with Nike in 2018 was a game-changer. The brand took the React Element 87, a futuristic running shoe known for its translucent upper and React foam sole, and infused it with its signature graphic-heavy, subversive aesthetic.

Why It Stunned Us:

• Deconstructed design featuring camouflage-like overlays and jagged patterns
• Muted earth tones with surprising pops of neon, creating an eerie, dystopian vibe
• An instant sell-out, proving Brain Dead’s ability to disrupt even the biggest sneaker collaborations

This partnership showed that Brain Dead wasn’t just a cult streetwear brand—it was a major creative force that could shake up sneaker culture.

The North Face x Brain Dead: Outdoor Gear Meets Psychedelia

The North Face is synonymous with performance wear, but in 2020, Brain Dead took its functional outerwear and injected it with chaotic, surreal energy. The result? A mind-bending fusion of streetwear and technical gear.

Key Highlights:

• Graphic-heavy Denali Fleece Jackets covered in Brain Dead’s signature abstract patterns
• A transformed Nuptse Puffer Jacket that merged outdoor durability with street-ready aesthetics
• A focus on both form and function, ensuring the pieces were wearable in extreme conditions

This collaboration bridged the gap between high-performance gear and urban fashion, proving that outdoor wear doesn’t have to be boring.

Converse x Brain Dead: A Deconstruction of Sneaker Norms

Brain Dead and Converse have collaborated multiple times, each time offering a new, distorted take on classic silhouettes like the Chuck 70 and One Star. Instead of just playing with colors, Brain Dead manipulated textures, fabrics, and construction techniques, making each sneaker feel raw and experimental.

Memorable Moments:

• A fur-covered One Star, turning a staple sneaker into a bizarre, tactile experience
• Misaligned stitching and offbeat color blocking, making each pair feel hand-altered
• Graphic prints that looked hand-drawn, reinforcing the DIY, punk aesthetic

This collab reinforced Brain Dead’s ability to reinterpret classics in a way that feels both nostalgic and futuristic.

Arc’teryx x Brain Dead: The Unexpected Outdoor Hype

Arc’teryx, known for its high-performance, minimalist outerwear, isn’t a brand that typically indulges in bold, chaotic designs. But in 2021, Brain Dead brought its psychedelic, counterculture energy to the Canadian outdoor brand, proving that hiking gear could have streetwear credibility.

Standout Features:

• The iconic Alpha SV Jacket, reworked with Brain Dead’s hand-drawn, tribal-like graphics
• A fusion of utility and creativity, making Arc’teryx desirable to the streetwear crowd
• An unexpected partnership that reshaped how people viewed outdoor apparel

This collab was proof that techwear could be artistic, and it introduced Arc’teryx to an entirely new audience.

Brain Dead x Dickies: Workwear Gets a Rebellious Twist

Workwear has always been a staple in street fashion, but Brain Dead took classic Dickies pieces and infused them with artistic rebellion. The collection turned utilitarian staples into streetwear statement pieces, making workwear feel fresh and unconventional.

Why It Worked:

• Classic Dickies work pants and jackets redesigned with Brain Dead’s signature bold prints
• A balance between durability and self-expression, proving that workwear could be both functional and creative
• A collaboration that resonated with skaters, artists, and creatives who live in Dickies daily

This drop reinforced Brain Dead’s ability to reinterpret everyday clothing through an artistic lens.

Reebok x Brain Dead: Reviving Retro Sneakers with a Twist

When Brain Dead teamed up with Reebok, they took classic sneaker silhouettes and distorted them into something surreal. Their approach wasn’t just about changing colors—it was about reimagining textures, materials, and compositions.

Memorable Pieces:

• Brain Dead x Reebok Pump Court, a ‘90s basketball sneaker reimagined with alien-like designs
• A mix of muted tones and acid-wash textures, making each pair feel like a relic from another dimension
• Unconventional details, such as jagged midsoles and warped paneling

This was retro sneaker culture through a sci-fi, underground art lens—something only Brain Dead could pull off.

Brain Dead x A24: When Film and Fashion Collide

Brain Dead’s partnership with A24, the indie film studio behind cult classics like Hereditary and Uncut Gems, proved that collaborations could go beyond fashion and enter the world of storytelling. This drop wasn’t just about clothing—it was a celebration of film culture, surreal aesthetics, and underground cinema.

Why It Was a Standout:

• Limited-edition apparel inspired by A24’s cult horror and indie films
• A blend of graphic storytelling and streetwear, giving fans a new way to engage with film culture
• A crossover between fashion and entertainment, proving that Brain Dead’s influence extends far beyond clothing

This partnership blurred the lines between streetwear, art, and pop culture, making it one of the most unique collaborations in Brain Dead’s history.

Conclusion: The Future of Brain Dead Collaborations

Brain Dead’s collaborations are never predictable or safe—they are bold, chaotic, and artistic. Whether it’s sneakers, outerwear, workwear, or even film-inspired collections, the brand pushes boundaries in every partnership.

What makes Brain Dead’s collaborations so stunning is their ability to take mainstream brands and inject them with underground, left-field creativity. They don’t just co-brand—they redefine what these brands can be.

As the brand continues to evolve, we can expect even more experimental, disruptive partnerships that challenge the norms of fashion, culture, and design. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that with Brain Dead, the next collaboration is always unexpected, always exciting, and always groundbreaking.