Strange and Wonderful Brand Collaborations That Actually Work 

They say opposites attract, and the same goes for brand collaborations. 

Brand collaborations are a staple of marketing, often uniting similar brands to reach new audiences and strengthen credibility. Yet sometimes, the most unexpected pairings steal the spotlight – brands with nothing in common teaming up in ways that somehow just work. 

So what drives these unlikely partnerships, and why do they resonate? Here are some of the most surprising brand collaborations that prove opposites really can attract.

LUSH X SHREK

@itsmylondon

LUSH have ditched the clean girl aesthetic and released a brand new Shrek themed collab. It’s available online now and in select stores including Oxford Street from Monday! Let us know what you think and if you’ll be picking any items up in the comments section! #lush #lushxshrek #shrek #shrek2 #london #oxfordstreet

♬ I need a hero full song – full songs<3

Now, LUSH and Shrek may seem like they are from completely different universes – and they are. Yet, that is what makes this collaboration so flawless. 

Shrek is known for its meme culture and unmistakable characters. Lush, on the other hand, is known for its beautiful formulas and delicious scents. However, they share one important characteristic. Their love of fun. 

LUSH has long been a fan of releasing out-of-the-box, exciting campaigns that tie into strong pop-culture moments. As such, Shrek is the perfect match for this, given its relevance to LUSH’s target audience. 

The result is a bold, fun, and tongue-in-cheek, campaign with products loved by LUSH and Shrek fans alike. 

CERAVE X MICHAEL CERA

@haleyybaylee

Guys run to this pharmacy in BK, I just saw MICHAEL CERA signing bottles!! 😳😳😳I’m a ceravepartner, and I’m asking @CeraVe what is going ON #nyc #fyp #celebritysighting

♬ original sound – haleyybaylee

Out of the millions of brand collaborations bombarding us each year, one truly stands out amongst the crowd. Michael Cera and CeraVe. 

Over a month, and unveiling in style during the Super Bowl, CeraVe convinced the public that Michael Cera was their founder; putting the “cera” in “CeraVe”, to be precise. 

Through staged paparazzi pictures, social media posts, and dramatic TV ads, Cera was established as the brain behind the widely popular skincare brand – and they had us completely fooled. Not only did the internet fall for the prank, but it thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. 

To everyone’s surprise, it was revealed during the Super Bowl that the entire act was a farce. Cera was not behind CeraVe, a team of highly educated dermatologists were. Go figure. 

The partnership was surprising, bold, and completely nonsensical, driving high rates of engagement online and forever establishing CeraVe as not just another cosmetics brand. 

LIQUID DEATH X YETI 

@homefurnituremoncton

☠️ Chill your drinks to the max with the one-of-a-kind Casket Cooler, brought to you by @liquiddeath and @YETI! Featuring innovative Triple Foam ColdCell™ technology, this cooler is the ultimate statement piece for keeping your beverages ice-cold. There’s only one up for auction, so don’t miss out! Visit liquiddeath.com/YETI to place your bid before Friday, 8/30 at 12 pm PST. Stop in and check out our selection at 2463 Mountain rd, Moncton NB. Just by Casino NB & IHOP Tel: (506) 854-4753

♬ original sound – Home Furniture & Lighting – Home Furniture & Lighting

Liquid Death and Yeti drop a… casket cooler?

In what might be the most on-brand collab of the year, Liquid Death and Yeti have teamed up to release a limited-edition casket cooler. Yes, you read that right. 

The coffin-shaped cooler is a perfect blend of Liquid Death’s over-the-top marketing and Yeti’s reputation for ultra-durable gear. Designed to “keep your drinks as cold as your corpse,” the promo taps into the brand’s signature dark humour while delivering a genuinely high-quality product. With only a limited number available, this bizarre yet brilliant crossover is already turning heads and selling fast.

Perfectly chaotic, yet completely making sense, this team-up wins a spot on our favourite brand collaborations of all time. 

CROCS X BARK 

@brodiethatdood

I think she likes them… Maybe I should start a new series, “Angry Golden Retriever Reviews.” 😡🐶 @Crocs #dogcrocs #goldenretriever #dogdad

♬ Funny Song – Funny Song Studio & Sounds Reel

Crocs has officially entered the pet fashion game with the launch of dog-sized Crocs in collaboration with Bark, and honestly, it feels like this was inevitable. 

The mini foam clogs, designed to fit your furry friend’s paws, are already making waves online, with pet owners scrambling to get their hands (and paws) on a pair. While they’re more of a fashion statement than functional footwear, the hype proves once again that anything – even tiny plastic shoes for dogs – can go viral.

Love them or hate them, Crocs just secured another internet-breaking moment.

ADIDAS X YA KUN KAYA

@explodingbelly

this is probably the cutest collaboration of the year – Yakun X Adidas 🤣 I love it so much, and if you love your kaya toast as much as I do, THIS IS A SIGN TO HEAD TO YOUR NEAREST ADIDAS! #sgfoodie #hiddengem #adidas #kayatoast

♬ watashi wa star – jyne ᯓᡣ𐭩

In one of the most unexpected (but oddly brilliant) brand collaborations of the year, Adidas teamed up with Singapore’s beloved toast chain, Ya Kun Kaya, to celebrate the nation’s 59th birthday. 

The collaboration pays tribute to Singaporean breakfast culture, featuring a range of stylish merch inspired by Ya Kun’s signature offerings: kaya butter toast, soft-boiled eggs, and tea. As part of the campaign, Adidas also handed out free samples outside its store, blending streetwear with street food in a way that feels both playful and meaningful.

Beyond the novelty factor, this partnership is a clever nod to heritage. Both Adidas and Ya Kun Kaya are legacy brands in their own right, and this collaboration highlights the power of tapping into cultural nostalgia to strengthen brand affinity. 

By going local, Adidas proves that sometimes, the best way to connect with a community is through something as simple (and delicious) as toast.

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