hasbro™ x ascq™

Elevating Pop Culture Icons: A Shop Called Quest x Hasbro® Collaboration

Front Shot of MLP™ / ASCQ™ Crewneck ©2017

KILLTHEGIANT™, as the creative director at A Shop Called Quest from 2016 to 2020, orchestrated a groundbreaking collaboration with Hasbro®, leveraging the iconic intellectual properties of Transformers™, My Little Pony™, and G.I. Joe™, as well as Wizards of the Coast™ lines Magic: The Gathering™ and Dungeons & Dragons™. This partnership birthed a series of innovative streetwear pieces that seamlessly blended pop culture nostalgia with cutting-edge fashion design.

Pioneering Pop Culture Streetwear

KILLTHEGIANT™ brought an unparalleled creative vision to the collaboration, infusing each design with a unique streetwear aesthetic. The Transformer tee, created in partnership with the artist Peabe, cleverly referenced the classic film Boyz n the Hood™, merging urban culture with the beloved Transformers™ brand. The My Little Pony™ crew neck featured a bold, unprecedented streetwear style, showcasing the characters in a way that had never been seen before with toy properties.

Iconic Collectibles and Market Innovation

The collaboration didn't stop at apparel. KILLTHEGIANT™'s expertise extended to collectible pins, where his innovative approach set new industry standards. Notably, A Shop Called Quest became the first to create a Magic: The Gathering™ Black Lotus™ pin, a coveted item among fans. The G.I. Joe™ pins were blister packed to mirror the classic toy packaging, a nostalgic nod that resonated deeply with collectors and fans alike.

Ad made for Diamond Distribution Catalog presenting our Cobra™ x ASCQ™ pin collection.

Exclusive Events and Unmatched Hype

KILLTHEGIANT™ also spearheaded exclusive releases that became legendary in the convention circuit. The Dungeons & Dragons™ ampersand pin, launched as a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive for two consecutive years, became one of the most sought-after items at the event. On preview night, the anticipation was palpable, with fans lining up a quarter mile just to purchase these limited-edition pieces.

ASCQ x Hasbro & ASCQ x WOTC Pin Packaging mock ups ready for print.

Strategic Marketing and Consumer Engagement

Securing the license to use these iconic properties was a testament to KILLTHEGIANT™'s marketing prowess and strategic vision. By creating exclusive, high-demand items and leveraging the cultural significance of beloved franchises, he not only elevated A Shop Called Quest's brand but also set new benchmarks in the industry for collaboration and consumer engagement.

We took the pingame by storm when we released these official G.I. Joe / Cobra licensed pins.

First to use retro blister packaging on limited edition collectible pins. (as seen above.)

ASCQ x Hasbro produced some amazing results; implementing accurate trend analysis, classic silhouettes w/ modern design and implementing a tongue in cheek Humor for the grown up kids investing in these limited edition exclusives. Look at more styles below…