Awake NY founder Angelo Baque sees collaborations as a communal effort, a unfication of likeminded creative peers. Collaborations aren’t merely two brands coming together to drop a product, that’s for sure. And, considering the cultural clout that a guy like Baque commands, he could likely have his pick of the collaborative litter, so to speak.

But he prefers to patiently pick out opportunities that align with his personal taste, lifestyle, and ideology; intent is everything. That’s why it made sense to come together with Louise Trotter, creative director of Lacoste.