In February 2021, Broken Promises turned up the heat with a collaboration that fused love, desire, and nostalgia in a way only they could—by teaming up with NBC Universal’s iconic Hot Stuff brand.
Launched just in time for Valentine’s Day, this capsule collection became an instant classic, combining the raw, burning emotions of love with the cheeky, mischievous energy that Hot Stuff has brought to pop culture since 1957.
Hot Stuff has always represented the playful dance between good and evil. And let's be real—we all have a little bit of both inside us. For Mandee Bence, co-founder and creative force behind Broken Promises, this project hit close to home. She reimagined some of Hot Stuff’s classic assets to create updated, visually stunning products that brought the devilish charm of Hot Stuff into a new era.
“We wanted this collection to capture that duality,” Bence explained, “Everyone has a good and bad side, but even the ‘bad’ isn’t all that bad. It’s part of who we are.”
The collaboration brought together a rich palette of reds, pinks, whites, and blacks—mirroring the fiery themes of love, desire, and temptation. With graphics that proudly declared phrases like “Let me set your heart on fire” and “Now you're dancing with the devil,” the designs weren’t just bold; they were alive. These reimagined pieces, including tees, sweats, and the ever-popular horn hoodie, became a canvas for embracing our inner devils.
The collection quickly became a celebrity favorite, with the likes of Post Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, and Lil Nas X all rocking their favorite styles. Lil Nas X, in particular, wore pieces from the collab just before dropping his groundbreaking Montero release, making this partnership even more of a cultural moment.
Incorporating these elements with Broken Promises’ best-selling styles, the collection found its way into Zumiez stores worldwide, becoming one of the top-selling collaborations of the year. It wasn’t just about apparel—it was about letting your clothing speak for you, a reflection of our "good" and "bad" sides, embracing the love and the chaos that comes with it.
In the end, this collection became a full-blown love letter to Hot Stuff fans and a testament to Broken Promises’ ability to weave storytelling into fashion while celebrating love in its most complex form—good, bad, and everything in between. Because when you’re dancing with the devil, sometimes you just have to let your heart burn.
Get in touch with Broken Promises Co Founders Mandee Bence and Jason Rotramel.
