Timberland, The Last of Us, and the Power of Entertainment Collaborations: When Fashion Meets the Screen
- Raffles Jakarta
- Oct 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 21, 2025
Collaborations between fashion and entertainment have evolved into one of the most innovative marketing tools of the 21st century. They merge two fan worlds: the cultural influence of movies and TV shows, and the aspiration for style. Timberland recently introduced its 6-inch premium waterproof boot, inspired by The Last of Us, in partnership with Sony Pictures Consumer Products, based on the popular HBO show of the same name (Read More Here).
How Fashion Changes Because of Entertainment
Fashion brands thrive when their designs become cultural icons, such as Manolo Blahnik's Hangisi heels in Sex and the City and Meryl Streep's character Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Timberland's work with The Last of Us is part of a growing trend of telling stories through product design. The series's rugged, post-apocalyptic look fits perfectly with Timberland's DNA of being tough in the outdoors. The Last of Us itself has come up with some very creative ways to market itself. The series shows how modern entertainment goes beyond the screen and into the lives of consumers. For example, there are immersive pop-ups at Comic-Con and interactive campaigns, such as the Google "fungal outbreak" button, which went viral online.
Famous Collaborations In Fashion and Film
For a long time, fashion brands have drawn inspiration from movies.
Prada worked with Baz Luhrmann on The Great Gatsby to make costumes that looked like they were from the 1920s.
Riccardo Tisci designed costumes for Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour, which blurred the lines between stage fashion and couture.
Balmain worked with Netflix's Stranger Things to make capsule collections.
Adidas and Star Wars, as well as Nike and Back to the Future Air Mag (which Michael J. Fox famously wore), turned movie nostalgia into collectible clothing.
Nicolas Ghesquière has been heavily influenced by sci-fi movies like Tron and Star Wars in his futuristic collections for Louis Vuitton.
These crossovers are made bigger by celebrities. Zendaya's Euphoria style made her a Valentino ambassador, and Billie Eilish's connection with Barbie went so far as to have her perform the soundtrack while wearing Chanel couture.
Fashion and Gaming
Gaming has made it easier for people to collaborate in ways beyond movies. Fortnite and Balenciaga released digital skins and hoodies simultaneously, bringing together digital and real-life fashion. Nike and League of Legends collaborated to create shoes inspired by the game's world. The Louis Vuitton x Final Fantasy collaboration made news when the house dressed up video game characters in complete Vuitton outfits. Timberland's triumphant collaboration demonstrates that entertainment crossovers are not mere gimmicks; they are strategic, long-term initiatives to unite people.
What Can Business Leaders Learn?
The main point? Collaborations are more than just ways to get people to buy things; they are ways for businesses from different fields to work together. They make things more visible, culturally relevant, and create limited-edition scarcity that drives up demand. These projects require not only a creative vision but also a sharp business sense. Business leaders can learn from these collaborations the importance of a clear creative vision, the value of cultural relevance, and the power of scarcity in driving up demand. They also need to understand the complexities of negotiating supply chains and licensing deals with movie studios.
Students in Raffles' Business Administration and MBA programs explore the intersections of business and creativity. They learn how to negotiate, establish, and execute partnerships, such as Timberland x The Last of Us, Nike x Travis Scott, or Dior x Gran Turismo. This equips them to become leaders who can craft compelling narratives and devise effective strategies, drawing inspiration from successful industry collaborations.
Arman POUREISA
Marketing Manager
References
Business of Fashion. (2025). Why entertainment collaborations are the future of fashion. Business of Fashion. https://www.businessoffashion.com
Nike. (2024). The story behind Nike’s Back to the Future Air Mag. Nike News. https://news.nike.com
Rimowa. (2024). Louis Vuitton and sci-fi inspirations. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com
Timberland. (2025). Timberland unveils ‘The Last of Us’ boot made with Sony Pictures. WWD. https://wwd.com/footwear-news/shoe-trends/timberland-the-last-of-us-boot-1238225986/
WWD. (2024). Balmain and Stranger Things capsule launches. WWD. https://wwd.com
Forbes. (2024). Gaming x fashion: Why Balenciaga and Fortnite changed the rules. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com
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