There’s so much going on in the world of streetwear, it can be a lot to keep track of. Established brands with access to ample resources continue to find ways to impress , but there are also just as many rising brands that have found creative ways to make noise.
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to assess the landscape and determine the 20 brands that did it best in 2025. We considered criteria like high-profile collaborations; memorable drops; retail expansion; buzz among general customers and celebrities alike; and quality of storytelling.
Here are our picks for the top 20 brands of 2025.
Standout Moments: The debut of NikeSKIMS, a holiday collection with CPFM, and a valuation of $5 billion
Kim Kardashian’s earth-toned shapewear brand is morphing into a fashion empire. Its most notable release this year was the much-hyped NikeSKIMS line that fuses Nike’s sportswear pedigree with Skims’ body-inclusive designs. For the holiday season, Skims tapped in with one of streetwear’s biggest brands, Cactus Plant Flea Market, for a playful capsule complete full of teddy bear graphics on cozy loungewear. As usual, the campaign featured some of the biggest rising stars in entertainment like Mariah the Scientist and Ken Carson. Oh, and did we mention Skims hit a $5 billion valuation this year after a new funding round? Not bad for only being six years old. –Shinnie Park
Standout Moments: Celebrity co-signs across hip-hop and k-pop, collaboration with Young Thug at ComplexCon 2025
Birth of Royal Child (BORC) blew up off of one viral idea: sparkle, sparkle, sparkle. Its signature “20K Diamond” denim, bedazzled with tons of Swarovski crystals, dominated social media and had some of the biggest names in music rocking a pair, from Future to Lisa of Blackpink. But BORC isn’t just being worn by big names. It’s also working with them. For its ComplexCon debut in October 2025, it debuted a collab with headliner Young Thug. The brand has proven that it’s not just a one-hit wonder. –Shinnie Park
Standout Moments: Debuting its New Balance 204L collaboration during Paris Fashion Week, an official collab with Disney sold in Selfridges
Not many brands are able to reference Hollister gear from the 2000s and the hardcore music scene and make it feel cohesive. Los Angeles-based label Basketcase is an exception to the rule. With a recent Disney partnership that reworked flannels into stylish-yet-adorable nods to Winnie the Pooh, and a collaborative relationship with New Balance brewing, Basketcase will continue its ascension from a niche darling to one of streetwear’s most prominent players. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Successful pop-ups in cities like LA, Miami, and Ginza; becoming a mainstay in pregame tunnels and on rap stages
Every few years, the rapper uniform gets a refresh. In 2025, Paly Hollywood provided the update. From the minds of James Franco (yes, that James Franco) and Kyle Lindgren, Paly draws heavy inspiration from the grungey skate and punk scenes of its home city, Los Angeles. Paly’s distressed, DIY design language has already gotten the copycat treatment by fast fashion brands, and its wares have been repped by stars including Travis Scott and Jacob Elordi— two important markers for any brand worth a damn. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Reviving the pillbox hat, releasing its best collection to date, collaborating with the New York Giants
Brigade, one of the best emerging brands in New York, had its watershed year in 2025. Its Fall/Winter offering, “Me vs. The Ave,” was its most robust, accomplished collection to date, highlighted by cowichan sweaters covered in world flags and zip-ups inspired by the iconic Jesus piece. It created a moment at Paris Fashion Week, no runway show required, when numerous tastemakers made an exclusive burgundy colorway of its signature pillbox hat their go-to accessory to trek around the city. It capped off the year with two big collabs with underground rapper Wiki and the New York Giants, respectively, that showcased the brand’s ability to stay true to its roots while also scaling up and working with bigger partners. Don’t be surprised if the brand levels up again in 2026. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Another stellar collaboration with Vans, being worn by most of your favorite rappers
Since 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto has been the pseudonym used by the person(s) who developed Bitcoin. Now, to a subset of fashionable individuals, it is also one of the flyest brands in the world. Much like the mystery that the LA-based label shares a name with, the brand Satoshi Nakamoto has kept information about its background and founders close to the vest, building interest through limited-edition Vans collabs and placements on notable celebrities like, Salehe Bembury, Veeze, and James Harden. Throughout 2025, the brand has continued to grow, with a wider variety of offerings. Its embellished sweats and motocross-inspired tops cater to current trends, but do so at a high level that few brands can replicate. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Hosting the Sweet Tooth Rodeo in Houston, merch for Young Thug’s Uy Scuti
Sp5der has developed a cult following. Most prominently co-signed by Young Thug, the brand’s web-covered sweatsuits have become a staple in the streetwear scene. This year, the brand expanded beyond its signature items to also offer cut and sew like teddy fleece zip-ups and moto denim jackets.
Not only are the pieces strong, but so is the marketing. Having Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel model for the brand immediately after Thug’s release was a genius move. Having Max B model the Black Friday campaign shortly after being released from a 16-year bid was another savvy decision. It even marked a western-themed collection with a legitimate rodeo in Houston. Sp5der is weaving a web all its own. –Breeana Walker
Standout Moments: Operating successful pop-ups on the east and west coast; partnering with NBA 2K on in-game products
The streetwear OG in your life may not be familiar with Jack and Jyde Manson, but the brothers behind Happy Memories Don’t Die’s embellished sweatsuits and logo patch pants have become a uniform for any stylish Gen Z’er in your life. Its community has grown virtually through a membership that offers exclusive products and early access to new drops. But this isn’t just a brand that you only see on the internet. Its pop-ups in major cities around the country have drawn huge lines that prove HMDD has genuine motion. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Major collaborations with KidSuper, WWE, Central Cee’s Syna World, and more
Bape’s reputation speaks for itself, but the Japanese streetwear titan has definitely cooled off since its founder NIGO stepped away from the brand over a decade ago. This past year, that changed. Fueled by Gen Z’s obsession with Y2K fashion and a renewed focus on impactful collaborations with a fresh crop of partners, ranging from KidSuper to WWE, Bape bounced back in 2025. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Release of the Chanel-inspired Vans Premium Old Skool 36 “Souvenir,” another collaboration with Satoshi Nakamoto, the “Pearlized” pack of Old Skool 36s
Vans is having a moment right now. The iconic skate footwear label had a major comeback this year, thanks to some bold moves that merged its classic cool with unexpected twists. The charge was led by its latest collab with buzzy label Satoshi Nakamoto that punked out the OG skate shoe with studs and pearls. But Vans really broke the internet with the “Souvenir” Old Skool 36 release inspired by Chanel’s famed graffiti messenger bag from 2014. By blending nostalgia with modern takes, Vans has firmly inserted itself back into the footwear conversation. –Shinnie Park
Standout Moments: Releasing its first major collaborations with ESPN, Adidas, and Avierex; launching an NIL program through Hellstar Sports
Hellstar exploded onto the scene in 2020 and gained a cult following through its in-your-face graphic tees and lore about the founder Sean Holland flipping product for a Virgil Abloh Maybach. Fast forward a few years and the brand has grown beyond sporadic drops into full-fledged collections that mix cut and sew with the graphic pieces that made it famous. Throw in benchmark collabs with household names like ESPN and Adidas and it’s easy to see why Hellstar is beating the “washed” allegations bestowed upon it by wishy-washy hypebeasts. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Re-releasing its Louis Vuitton collaborations to celebrate their 20th anniversary; collabs with the MLB to celebrate the Tokyo Series and World Series; the launch of the footwear brand Ohana Hatake
Takashi Murakami’s legacy was stamped many years ago. Yet the Japanese artist found exciting ways to capture the streetwear world’s attention in 2025. Some of it was a nod to the past, like a revival of his iconic collaborations with Louis Vuitton to celebrate their 20th anniversary. He also partnered with Major League Baseball to commemorate moments like the Tokyo Series and the Dodgers World Series title. His iconic flowers and characters were splashed across jerseys, hats, and trading cards. Murakami’s colorful motifs are once again a defining piece of another era of streetwear. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Its summer block party featuring a Clipse performance, a Fall/Winter 2025 campaign with Veeze, collabs with Stǔssy and Hardies, Swarovski Cotton Wreath sets
Denim Tears’ Cotton Wreath is still everywhere. This year, the brand’s signature design has been remixed in fresh ways, from Swarovski crystals to camouflage. But please don’t write Tremaine Emory’s brand off as a one-hit wonder. Throughout 2025, it continued to showcase its ability to evolve through new collections and collaborations like Stüssy Tears, Levi’s, and an expertly-timed drop with Tyshawn Jones’ Hardies shortly after news broke of the skater’s lawsuit against Supreme. Beyond designs and drops, Denim Tears excelled at one of the key pillars of streetwear, bringing the community together, through pop-ups across the country and block parties.
Let’s be real. Denim Tears is unapologetically Black and what it is doing is beautiful. While the Cotton Wreath continues to be its calling card, what really makes Denim Tears great goes beyond a single motif. The brand’s clothes tell stories with a purpose that double as some of the hottest pieces out. –Breeana Walker
Standout Moments: Major collaborations with WWE, FC Barcelona, Erewhon, and Oakley; continuing its impressive run of sneaker collabs with Nike and Jordan Brand
Following in the footsteps of his mentor Kanye West, Travis Scott has become the most marketable rapper on the planet. For the multi-platinum artist, that touch extends far and wide. He isn’t just making concert merch or valuable Nike sneaker collabs anymore. Throughout 2025, the laundry list of partnerships through his brand Cactus Jack has included WWE, FC Barcelona, the trading card company Topps, Michael Jordan’s tequila brand Cincoro, eyewear OG Oakley (he was named the brand chief visionary in June), everyone’s favorite grocer Erewhon, Coachella, and Fanatics, to name a few. The consistency and diversity of hits from Travis and the Cactus Jack team is impossible to ignore. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Releasing its first collaboration with Nike; drops with niche favorites like Needles and Engineered Garments
To some people, Palace is still Supreme’s little brother from across the pond. Quiet as it’s kept, the London label is producing some of its best collections ever right now. Each season is full of those “gotta have it” types of statement pieces, like painted leather jackets and patchwork puffers. It fills in the gaps with an even mix of core staples and the humorous offerings that have always given Palace its personality. Like any successful streetwear brand, Palace has also kept up a consistent output of collaborations throughout the year, from drops with cult favorites like Engineered Garments to its very first project with Nike. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Reopening its NY flagship store that commands daily lineups, a collaboration with Wales Bonner
Stüssy’s New York City Chapter store draws a line down the block every single day, no matter the weather. The relentless appetite from shoppers is for good reason. The pioneering brand continues to put out some of the most consistent collections around.
From beautiful leather pieces to classic graphic tees to impressive denim, these are the types of pieces that will live in your closet for years. From time to time, it still piques our interest with a splashy collab, like a capsule with Wales Bonner or its latest work with Nike that brought back the classic Baltoro boot in three new colorways.
Unlike other brands, Stüssy isn’t just dropping trendy items that only feel relevant for a single season. Instead, it delivers quality, timeless pieces you can build an entire wardrobe around. It will always remain relevant because it was never chasing trends in the first place. It started them. Don’t expect those lines to die down any time soon. –Breeana Walker
Standout Moments: Releasing its first collaboration with The North Face; adding to its impressive collection of projects with longtime collaborators like New Balance and Porsche
Aimé Leon Dore does everything well. Its thoughtful mix of preppy menswear and New York City street style have gone a long way in defining the current era of men’s fashion. In fact, it does it so well and with such consistency that maybe we mistook it for complacency.
In 2025, ALD reminded us of who it is. It did so on the back of monumental first-time collabs with The North Face, where it flipped its classics like the Nuptse with luxurious Casentino Wool bodies and new installments of its ongoing work with Porsche. Teddy Santis continues to cultivate a world that feels both attainable and aspirational, curated yet robust. ALD isn’t going anywhere. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: The Playboi Carti photo tee; opening its Miami location; drops celebrating New York legends like Max B and Wu-Tang Clan; standout capsules with GOODENOUGH and Girbaud
Despite lasting bruises to its reputation and unanswered questions about its workplace culture after its unceremonious split with Tremaine Emory in August 2023 and getting sued in May by one of its biggest faces for the past decade, Tyshawn Jones, Supreme marches on. New and longtime fans have been kept satisfied with everything that makes Supreme great: well-executed collaborations with hip-hop icons like Wu-Tang Clan and apparel brands once held in high regard like Girbaud that help bring them back into the zeitgeist; a Playboi Carti photo tee that had Opium heads fiending so hard they were ripping wheat pastes off of city buildings and framing them; and wacky accessories like Optimus Prime action figures. Beyond the spectacular pieces that garner the most attention, a series of reliable staples, from selvedge denim to flannel shirts, speak to the level of craftsmanship Supreme is now known for (some of the brand’s best products have no branding on them at all).
Supreme also continued its push around the country with the grand opening of a flagship store in Miami. You may no longer be able to flip anything the brand releases to make a living like you could back in 2017, but make no mistake: Supreme is still the standard that every streetwear brand strives for. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: Opening a new flagship store and Ronnie’s restaurant in London; holding a runway show in front of its newly-renovated New York City flagship; major collaborations with Nike and Marvel vs. Capcom
If Ronnie Feig has a bucket list for his business, it must be continually updating. This year, Kith expanded its global vision in sophisticated, powerful ways. Shut down a New York street for a runway show full of cameos from local stars like Jim Jones and Malik Nabers? Check. Put the Assistant to the Traveling Secretary in the lookbook for your official Yankees collab? Check. Revamp one of the greatest sneakers of all time, the Air Max 95, with your brand’s monogram pattern? Check. Open an eponymous restaurant inside of your new store in London? Check. Have your favorite sports team—which you serve as creative director for—host a night named after your brand? Check. However, the high volume of major projects does come with a risk. These monumental partnerships start to feel less special when they’re coming seemingly every week.
But maybe that’s sort of the point. Fieg doesn’t just want Kith to be your favorite clothing brand. He wants it to be your lifestyle of choice. He’s constructing an empire. –Mike DeStefano
Standout Moments: The release of the “Honey Black” Air Max 95s; campaign appearances from legends like Ronaldinho and Skepta; a massively successful pop-up series; collaborating with peers like Denim Tears and Barriers
From takeovers of strip clubs in Atlanta to subway cars in New York City, Corteiz put the streetwear world in a stranglehold this year. Over the past year, Clint419’s brand grew its following beyond London with a continuously improving line of products that keeps expanding beyond graphic tees and hoodies, immersive activations, and must-have collaborations. Despite the expansion, it hasn’t forgotten where home is either. Just look at collabs with Skepta’s BBK and Dave, or cameos from Slawn and Central Cee in campaigns.
It’s felt omnipresent, while still maintaining a tight distribution model. Outside of its handful of incredibly thoughtful pop-ups throughout the calendar year, you can only buy Corteiz from its web store. That type of scarcity still makes every piece feel like a must-have item.
A big part of what has made Corteiz so popular is Clint’s accessibility. He’s constantly engaging with fans on social media, whether he’s holding a contest for young designers, dropping motivational gems, or clapping back at his critics. He pulls up to every single pop-up to greet fans and be a part of the experience. In a day and age where brand owners stay out of the spotlight—some even choosing to remain entirely anonymous—Corteiz proves how valuable that extra layer of communication can be when building a community.
The Corteiz community stretches across hip-hop, sports, and fashion. One day, you’ll catch soccer legends like Ronaldinho in a campaign for “Honey Black” Air Max 95s. Next, Lil Yachty is modeling new sweatsuits. Clint will follow it up with a photo op with streetwear legend NIGO or the announcement of a new collab with Tremaine Emory’s Denim Tears. The brand hasn’t just piqued the interest of the youth with its rebellious demeanor and guerilla marketing, it has the industry’s attention too. When you can win over the public and your peers at the same time, the potential is limitless. –Mike DeStefano
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