Jovani Hernandez Ever-present at the edge of innovation, adidas recently unveiled its first set of virtual wearables.
Housed under the new “Virtual Gear” product category, the limited collection of blockchain-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is the next step in the Three Stripes mission to become a formidable force within the community-based, open metaverse. The inaugural virtual wearables lineup is already available within the wallets of existing Phase 2 Capsule NFT holders, delivering 16 pieces that tie together the past and future of adidas. The collection was developed by the brand’s /// Studio (Three Stripes Studio), which will continue to explore the metaverse for the German sportswear behemoth.
“Every capsule holder has a choice at launch – burn and express their virtual identity with adidas’ first Virtual Gear collection, or list and allow others to join this community,” said Erika Wykes-Sneyd, VP of /// Studio. “With our community and creator ecosystem at the core, adidas will explore every viable utility, platform, and experience within Web3 to unlock new possibilities for our wearables, with a focus on tangible value and immutable utility for our community members. No matter what, no matter where – adidas is synonymous with the boundary breakers. Now, in whatever realities they choose to inhabit.”
Despite how underdeveloped the metaverse is, each of the latest NFT offerings from the Three Stripes has been designed to respond and adapt to any Web3 environment being built. Items – which include biker jackets. hoodies, and puffer jackets – can be accessed through a profile picture (PFP) dressing tool and worn by virtual avatars. The inaugural “Virtual Gear” lineup unquestionably looks to the future with its disruptive designs, but nods to timeless adidas Originals silhouettes like the Superstar. Three limited edition creator-led wearables also form part of the 16-piece collection, nodding to the Three Stripes’ earliest Web3 partners: Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), Gmoney, and Punks Comics.
Owners of the adidas Originals: Capsule NFT Collection that launched in May 2022 are already able to discover which of the 16 unique pieces have been allocated to them once they choose to reveal and replace their Capsule NFT. Collectors will have to agree to “burn” the Capsule NFT they currently hold in order to randomly generate one of the 16 new digital wearable NFTs. All others interested in the genesis Virtual Gear collection can purchase the virtual goods via relevant NFT marketplaces from today, onwards.
For items you can wear in real life, check out the latest adidas Samba news.
