Wearing Keith Haring Artwork

Famously accessible streetwear brand Uniqlo is no stranger to artist partnerships, often joining forces even with art world institutions such as the Louvre. The brand has long collaborated with Haring’s estate, with each drop reflecting on a different aspect of the artist’s appeal. There was the 2020 collaboration, which highlighted Haring’s depictions of Mickey Mouse. The 2021 Tokyo collection, for example, explored Haring’s relationship with the city. There was also a joint collaboration with the estates of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, intertwining the lives and legacies of these artists even more. Finally, this summer they released another collection, aptly called Keith Haring Life Of The Party, inspired by his uniquely-designed invitations for parties and events in New York City.

In 2022, jewellery brand Pandora released a capsule collection with earrings, charm bracelets and necklaces featuring Haring’s iconic outlined figures. This marked the brand’s first collaboration with an artist, and Pandora claimed to be inspired by Haring’s “pioneering principles of inclusivity and diversity.” This was illustrated in the advertising campaign, where they teamed up with New York-based drag artist West Dakota. The collection was only available for two months, and sold out quickly everywhere, a testament to Haring’s mass contemporary appeal. The collection really spoke to the fun nature of Haring’s iconography, making it more accessible and appealing to a younger audience.

Dr. Martens launched their collection “Art Is For Everyone” in 2021, in collaboration with the Haring estate. The brand’s original silhouettes were overlaid with Haring’s signature silhouette illustrations, and finished with two bright character charms on the laces. The brand stated that Haring’s art aligns perfectly with their ethos of supporting youth culture and their sense of self-expression.

Another budget-friendly brand infusing their fashion with a touch of Haring's distinctive style is the fashion giant H&M, which has released two collaborations with the estate of Keith Haring so far, in 2021 and 2022. The original collection featured a selection of relaxed T-shirts, shirts, joggers and hoodies in muted colours contrasting against the artist’s bright figures. H&M also released some sneakers and accessories, completing the full Haring look. In 2022, new additions for the second drop included the printed pile jacket, underwear and slip-on canvas sneakers. Prioritising comfort and accessibility are in line with Haring’s ideals and his general appeal to youth culture.

Sportswear brand Reebok first released a collection featuring several of Haring’s motifs in 2013. This included several different reinterpretations of their classic sneakers, overlaid with Haring’s style. In 2021, they announced their second collaboration with the artist, featuring five sneakers and indicating the enduring appeal of his art. The items all drew inspiration from Haring’s motifs, from his famous dancing figures and dogs to his renowned subway chalk drawings, prominently displaying them across each shoe. Both collections struck the balance between being bold and colourful yet also extremely functional, allowing their buyers to wear a work of art.

Junya Watanabe’s Men’s S/S 23 collection chose to highlight iconic 20th century artists including Haring, Warhol and Basquiat. Haring in particular was crucial for the artistic development of the designer, something that is evident in the collection due to the prominence of his layered doodles on the garments. His doodles were used to enliven shirts, windbreakers and bomber jackets, offering a distinctly urban style to the clothes.

Tech-accessories purveyor Casetify has also collaborated with Haring, creating an extensive collection titled “Love Makes The World Go Round”. The items feature instantly recognizable pieces and motifs by the artist, such as Hearts Face and Radiant Heart Love, tapping into some of his most iconic works to transmit a wider message of love and optimism. The contrast between Haring’s signature 1980s aesthetic and contemporary technology creates an impactful object that celebrates self-expression.

As we have seen, Haring’s works go well on almost all kinds of objects – but they seem to lend themselves particularly well to clients of the streetwear and sneaker markets. This is evident in his estate’s collaboration with timeless brand Converse. Launched in 2021, the collection featured items such as T-shirts, hoodies and, of course, the classic shoe silhouettes that Converse is so renowned for. All four sneaker styles came in predominantly muted “White/Black” or “White/Blue” colorways, and unsurprisingly indulged in a number of arrangements highlighting Haring’s world-renowned bright and bold graphics. The limited-edition collection has now largely sold out, and the shoes have become collector’s items on the secondary market.

In August 2022, Primark launched a collection of comfortable and fashionable clothing inspired by Haring's iconic designs. The collaboration offered both Primark shoppers and Haring enthusiasts a selection of 28 items including loungewear, jumpers, T-shirts, accessories, and shoes featuring his signature vibrant and eye-catching patterns. The primary theme of this collection centred around love and the celebration of youth and pop culture. This successful partnership allowed Primark to honour Haring’s artistic legacy while providing individuals with an opportunity to express their personal style through wearable art. The collection remains available, with incredibly accessible price points.

Italian shape and loungewear brand Calzedonia also collaborated with the Haring estate, releasing a capsule collection in 2022. It featured tights, jeans and socks, all of which celebrated the fun, energetic and positive spirit of Haring’s art. This is particularly evidenced in the brand’s marketing for the collection, with clearly appeals to a fresh and young audience.