Brands That Work With Artists

According to Stackla 81% of consumers say authenticity is a key factor when making a purchasing decision. For brands, collaborating with artists can be a great way to generate revenue and communicate with creativity, authenticity, and originality.

Niches like fashion have some of the most iconic fashion-art brand collaborations, like Prada’s installation by Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, or Louis Vuitton accessory collection by Takashi Murakami. By understanding the continuous demand for uniqueness and diversity, brands leverage the power of artists collaborators like you to connect with audiences in a disruptive way.

In this article, we will explore 10 brands that work with artists, 3 key reasons they choose to do so, and the main common challenges artists face when looking for brand partnerships.

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Why Do Brands Collaborate With Artists? 3 key reasons why.

Brands collaborate with artists because their creativity brings a unique, and human touch to commercial products. With objectives like sales or building customer loyalty in mind, these businesses target authenticity hungry consumers with campaigns that evoke an emotional response of some sort. 

Here are 3 key reasons brands choose to work with artists:

1. Authenticity & Storytelling

Because of their creative nature, artists have a distinct style and voice that resonates with specific audiences. Artist partners make brand campaigns feel genuine because they often bring genuine storytelling and talent. According to The Wild Soul, when consumers see that an established artist has chosen to collaborate with a brand, it not only elevates the brand’s status in the market, but also enhances brand image.

Example: Nike’s collaboration with Kaws created sneakers as wearable art to introduce an innovative concept rather than just another shoe release.

2. Cultural Relevance & Trend Setting

Artists often influence pop culture and trends. By staying updated with emerging creatives or artistic movements, brands position themselves as an innovative and relevant partner, especially among younger audiences. 

‍A great discussion about a successful brand-artist collaboration can be found on this Reddit thread, where users share examples of brand partnerships that felt like a natural fit like Olivia Rodrigo’s partnership with Apple.

Example: With her viral hit “Messy” signer and song-writter Lola Young gained international recognition and topped UK singles charts in 2024. To resonate with contemporary audiences and reinforce their cultural relevance, brands like Dr. Martens partnered with Lola, an incredibly aligned and stylish rising star.

3. Limited Edition Appeal & Higher Perceived Value

According to Creative Resources, tapping into limited edition releases can create consumer FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) as a marketing strategy. Shaped by exclusivity and a sense of urgency, campaigns that tap into this strategy influenced purchasing decisions of 60% millennials according to Strategy online, making these collaborations highly rewarding for brands.

Example: Artist Takashi Murakami and the Major League Baseball (MLB) collaborated on a limited-edition collection of merchandise to celebrate the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series. This limited edition strategy generated significant buzz and urgency among fans and collectors. 

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10 Brands That Work With Artists

1. Threadless

• About the brand: Threadless is an online apparel store that offers unique designs created by a global community of independent artists. 
• Partner: Various independent artists
• Campaign example: Artist Shops & Community Design Challenges
• Results: Threadless has helped hundreds of independent artists gain exposure and sell their artwork globally, empowering creators to build careers through the platform.

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2. H&M

• About the brand: H&M is a Swedish multinational clothing retailer known for offering affordable fashion. It frequently collaborates with both high-profile and emerging artists to create limited-edition collections that merge art with fashion.
• Partner: Painter Jean-Michel Basquiat
• Campaign example: H&M x Jean-Michel Basquiat collection

• Results: The collection generated significant interest, with fashion and art lovers alike flocking to purchase pieces inspired by Basquiat’s iconic style.

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3. Puma

• About the brand: Puma is a global sportswear and lifestyle brand known for its innovative designs in footwear, apparel, and accessories. Puma frequently partners with artists to create unique collections that blend athletic performance with bold, creative design.
• Partner: Pop artist Romero Britto
• Campaign example: Puma x Romero Britto sneaker collection
• Results: The collaboration combined Britto’s colorful, joyful art with Puma’s sportswear, resulting in a vibrant, eye-catching collection that attracted both art lovers and sneakerheads.

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4. IKEA

• About the brand: IKEA is a multinational group known for its flat-pack furniture, home accessories, and Swedish design. It partners with various designers and artists to bring fresh, innovative approaches to home décor.
• Partner: Designer and architect Virgil Abloh
• Campaign example: IKEA x Virgil Abloh “MARKERAD” collection
• Results: The collection was well-received, attracting attention in both art and interior design worlds. It reinforced IKEA’s commitment to creativity and design excellence.

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5. Uniqlo

• About the brand: Uniqlo is a Japanese global apparel retailer known for its minimalist designs and high-quality basics. The brand frequently collaborates with artists to offer limited-edition collections, blending art with everyday fashion.
• Partners: Artists KAWS and Andy Warhol
• Campaign example: KAWS x Warhol, Uniqlo T-shirt collection
• Results: The collection became a hit, creating significant buzz in both the fashion and art communities, and reinforcing Uniqlo's reputation as an affordable gateway to high-end art.

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6. Red Bull

• About the brand: Red Bull is an energy drink company that has expanded its brand presence through extreme sports events and artistic collaborations. Known for pushing boundaries, Red Bull frequently supports creative initiatives that align with its adventurous and energetic image.
• Artist partner: Urban artist Mr Doodle
• Campaign example: Red Bull partnered with Mr Doodle to create and auction a one of a kind, hand drawn “doodle bull” car, where a share of proceeds went to the official charity of Oracle Red Bull Racing: Wings for Life
• Results: To help find a cure for spinal cord injury RedBull raised an incredible £143,000 for Wings for Life

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7. Adidas

• About the brand: Adidas is a multinational corporation that designs and manufactures athletic shoes, clothing, and accessories. Known for its performance-driven products, Adidas also connects with youth culture through collaborations with artists and celebrities.
• Artist partner: Musician and designer Pharrell Williams
• Campaign example: "Human Race" collection
• Results: The collaboration led to multiple sell-out collections and expanded Adidas' appeal to a broader, more fashion-conscious audience.

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8. Absolut Vodka

• About the brand: Absolut is a Swedish vodka brand known for its premium quality and innovative marketing strategies. Absolut often collaborates with artists and creatives to promote its image as a forward-thinking, culturally aware brand.
• Partner: Painter & graffiti artist Keith Haring 
• Campaign example: Limited-edition Absolut bottles featuring Haring's artwork
• Results: The collaboration helped Absolut establish a longstanding reputation for partnering with renowned artists, enhancing the brand’s image as a supporter of contemporary art.

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9. Nike

• About the brand: Nike is a global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, known for its innovation in sports and lifestyle products. The brand is deeply rooted in both sports culture and street fashion, with collaborations spanning a variety of creative fields.
• Artist partner: Musician and designer Travis Scott 
• Campaign example: "Cactus Jack x Nike" collection
• Results: The "Cactus Jack" collection sold out almost immediately, significantly boosting Nike’s presence in the streetwear market.

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10. Patagonia

• About the brand: Patagonia is an outdoor apparel company known for its commitment to environmental activism and sustainable fashion. The brand often collaborates with artists who share its eco-conscious values to create unique, purpose-driven designs.
• Artist partner: Illustrator and designer Lily McAlpine
• Campaign example: Patagonia x Lily McAlpine limited-edition T-shirt collection
• Results: The collaboration featured hand-drawn nature-inspired designs aligned with Patagonia’s sustainability message. The T-shirts promoted environmental awareness and resonated with Patagonia’s eco-conscious audience.

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Common Challenges In Brand-Artist Partnerships

As strong influences with an already established style, artists can sometimes represent a risk for brand alignment. When voices and values don’t match, collaborations might not feel natural and genuine for audiences. 

For artists, especially those just starting out, brand partnerships can seem strict and confusing. Apart from brand alignment, fitting a creative lifestyle into a brand’s expectations while also ensuring fair compensation can be a lot to manage.

Let’s discover additional tips on how to pull through these challenges:

Balancing Creative Freedom and Brand Requirements

One of the most significant challenges in artist-brand partnerships can be learning to adjust your creative insights into a brand’s requirements. Whether you excel in art, music, acting, sculpting, or other expertise, a brand’s commercial objectives may sometimes feel unnatural to communicate.

A helpful Tip: Clear communication and mutual understanding are a must when partnering. By discussing expectations in advance, you ensure your creativity is respected while aligning with brand goals. Don’t forget that they chose to partner with you because of your uniqueness, and can brainstorm together how to best communicate your value while honoring their requirements. 

Ensuring Fair Compensation

Artists often face the issue of being underpaid or overworked. As a talented individual, brands may want to leverage from your skills or recognition. An exposure exchange may be beneficial, especially with a young career, but it is important to set clear boundaries and understand your worth. Your time, talent, and intellectual property are to be compensated fairly and sometimes the exposure exchange isn’t enough.

Discover our in-depth look into brand ambassador pay rates and access a valuable resource for artists navigating these discussions.

A helpful Tip: You are allowed to negotiate a fair compensation based on your experience, reputation, or social media recognition. A fixed fee or a revenue-based model, as used in the music industry, helps maintain your partnerships sustainable, where both parties benefit.  

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Looking for Art Related Affiliate Programs?

If you’re an artist looking to expand your influence and earn income through affiliate marketing, partnering with the right brands is key. 

Navigate our top affiliate programs for artists and discover how affiliate marketing opportunities like can be a profitable way to start your journey as a brand partner, showcasing their unique style while earning commissions:

1. Top 10 best us art influencer affiliate programs
   
   
2. Top 10 best us craft influencer affiliate programs
   
   
3. Top 10 best us photography influencer affiliate programs
   
   
4. Hobby Lobby affiliate program: in-depth review, pros, and cons
   
   
5. Blick Art Materials affiliate program: in-depth review, pros, and cons

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Final Thoughts on Brands Collaborating With Artists

Additionally to being a source of income, partnering with established brands as an artist can expose your talent to new audiences and expand your reach. If you are just starting out, partnering with well established brands that work with nano influencers (1K to 10K followers) can boost your credibility as a serious creator, and can lead to future exciting brand collaborations.