NFT, Web3, Metaverse Projects November 2022

Creators and innovative start-ups continue to explore the possibilities of Web3 as a tool to tap into people’s creative needs. As the weather has turned radically gloomier and the days have begun to shorten, November’s fashion NFT and metaverse projects have served us a ray of sunshine and an energetic top-up. The scope and depth of digital landscapes continues to evolve, and we’re here to keep you updated on key players in the space.

This month saw RTFKT announce its first-of-its-kind iRL Cryptokicks sneaker, a futuristic basketball shoe design with unique, smart add-on features, while adidas unveiled the next step in its Web3 efforts with the launch of its first interoperable product, Virtual Gear. Elsewhere, Yuga Labs donated a CryptoPunk to ICA Miami during Art Basel.

Keep scrolling to see our favorite November cyber gatherings and Web3 initiatives.

Bang & Olufsen entered the metaverse with their first NFT release, “The DNA Collection.”

Bang & Olufsen teamed up with pioneering Web3 artists, including Hackatao, Thomas Lin and Shavonne Wong, to fuse art and music into a first-of-its-kind digital collaboration. Comprised of 1,925 digital collectibles as a nod to the label’s founding years, the DNA Collection took the form of iconic products, the Beogram 4000 turntable, Beoplay A9 and Beolab 90 speakers. In an effort to push the creativity of the metaverse forward, the release also featured the Beoverse Alpha, a conceptual boombox that was designed for use in Web3. After minting the exclusive NFT, holders gained token-gate access to exclusive Bang & Olufsen products and experiences.

Charli Cohen unveiled RSTLSS, a digital space to sell multiverse fashion.

Designer Charli Cohen introduced her latest creation in the digital space, RSTLSS, a digital fashion platform built for and by the community. Through a gamified experience, creatives have the freedom and accessibility to create and sell multiverse fashion. “The Key”, a digital, customizable jacket, represented the first release from the brand. RSTLSS creations can be used across the gaming industry, metaverse, and AR/VR social, in addition to being redeemed as a custom 1/1 physical garment. The exclusive jacket also gave owners unlimited access to pre-sales, brand updates, collaborations and access to over 4,000 games in partnership with Ready Player Me.

Yuga Labs donated a CryptoPunk to ICA Miami during Art Basel.

Yuga Labs, founder of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), CryptoPunks and Meebits, gave The Institute of Contemporary Art of Miami CryptoPunk #305, a nod to Miami’s iconic area code. The donation started the company’s “Punks Legacy Project”, an initiative to donate more CryptoPunks NFTs to leading contemporary art museums worldwide. ICA Miami showcased its newest artwork during Art Basel on December 2. In addition to the NFT installation, resources related to Web3 education, digital art history, crypto security and best practices for NFT were provided by Yuga Labs.

RTKFT Studios tackled IRL with their new physical Cryptokicks sneaker.

Nike’s Web3-based RTFKT Studios ditched the interface and launched its first-of-its-kind iRL Cryptokicks sneaker. Limited to 19,000 units, the platform sold the highly anticipated sneakers through NFTs which then gave access to the physical iteration. Paying tribute to the Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Mag, the drop saw a futuristic basketball shoe design with unique features. Highlights include automatic lacing, motion control, gait detection, lighting segments, app connectivity, wireless charging and more. Arriving in “Ice,” “Space Matter,” “Stone,” and “Blackout” colorways, RTFKT’s iRL Cryptokicks have been a next-generation innovation drop that combines decades of Nike technology.

Givenchy and (b).STROY released a contemporary SS23 NFT collection.

Luxury fashion house Givenchy teamed up with underground Atlanta-born and New York-based label (b).STROY, for a limited-edition Spring/Summer 2023 capsule collection. The duo released six exclusive NFTs in collaboration with online art collective FELT Zine. Each digital collectible was given free to all purchasers of the physical collection – making Web3 and fashion a little more accessible to the public. Givenchy’s parent company, LVMH, powered the release through its Aura Blockchain Consortium, which seeks to develop the applications of blockchain technology and raise the standards of luxury.

LØCI drove ethical steps into the Metaverse with a design competition.

This month, vegan footwear brand LØCI, recognized for prioritizing sustainability above all else, announced a partnership with online sneaker world Aglet to give every creator a canvas to express their creativity. The British brand encouraged Aglet’s 3.5 million user base of gamers and sneakerheads to submit their own digital sneakers. The semi-finalists will receive their own creation as a one-of-a-kind NFT, and the yet-to-be-announced winner of the competition will have their design turned into an IRL sneaker that goes on sale in 2023. physical release will closely follow LØCI’s eco-conscious manufacturing ethos, with 10 % of all online profits dedicated to wildlife conservation.

Candy Digital explored the dynamics of 3D NFTs with Stranger Things collectibles.

Candy Digital and Netflix Stranger Things teamed up again to release an NFT collaboration that explored the dynamics of 3D design and interactive ownership experiences. For their first collaboration, the duo dropped a total of 11,111 NFTs focused on fan-favorite characters from the series like Eleven, Dustin and Max – each with their own rarity and limited edition numbers. This time Candy Digital took things to the next level with “The Stranger Things Scanned Props Collection: Series 001.” The drop utilized a unique combination of innovative digital scanning technology and consisted of a total of 500 NFTs representing various iconic show elements such as Steve’s Spiked Bat, Eleven’s Rink-O-Mania roller skates or Hopper’s Police Boots.

adidas launched Virtual Gear, the next phase in the Web3 journey.

adidas unveiled the next step in its Web3 efforts with the launch of its first interoperable product, Virtual Gear. The first 16-piece collection of virtual wearables was released as NFTs for the wallets of the brand’s existing Phase 2 Capsule NFT holders. With the collection, adidas finally ventured into the digital era by connecting its past with its future, merging the virtual and the physical. Owners of the unique designs can use adidas’ new PFP dressing tool to try them on a variety of PFP avatars and across a wide range of digital ecosystems.

Prada dropped the sixth edition of its limited edition Timecapsule Collection series.

Prada unveiled the sixth iteration in its series of limited edition Timecapsule Collection drops, accompanied by its own gifted NFT. The November issue of Timecapsule evoked the quintessential patchwork shirts of the 1970s, which Prada continues to revisit through its luxury fabric archive, producing unique new pieces each time. The drop brought exclusive experiences for NFT holders at Prada Mode Dubai and the Prada Extends event at Art Basel Miami. The occasion was designed for creatives in different hubs globally and to ultimately connect like-minded individuals, encapsulating the identity of each locale and its creative community.

Dopamine took over Art Basel Miami with Streetwear+

Web3 brand Dopamine has quickly gained awareness for acting as a one-stop shop for all things fashion, streetwear and more. A milestone for the brand was developing a tangible NFC tag through emerging technology called “The Dopamine Tab”, which can be embedded into clothing (Streetwear+). To reach a wider audience and introduce the service, Dopamine hosted a pop-up shop at Art Basel Miami. The event brought together several collaborating artists whose work will be featured on phygital offers.

Soul Æther harnessed the powers of alchemy and the Metaverse with new animated series and virtual experiences.

999 Genesis Alchemists – A Pre-Reveal Rarity Look:
?18 pure elementals
?34 Elementals
?15 “handmade” outfits
?388 has a themed outfit; such as pure black, pure white, technology, desert, sunset, galactic, etc.

A carefully crafted rarity with help from @RarityPunks ? pic.twitter.com/5IUWrSwEsZ

— Soul Aether | Mint is live (@soulaether_) 7 December 2022

Sci-fantasy Web3 powered world Soul Aether explored the intersection of science and magic through the lens of digital assets, animation and games to create a new, immersive narrative in the Metaverse. The platform partnered with NFT ecosystem Notables to launch 6,699 digital assets. Minters could receive one of the three main alchemists, all with unique traits, characteristics, abilities, and elements that would then open the door to enter an alternate world. Each character came with over 230 custom clothing and accessory designs that draw inspiration from the worlds of fantasy and alchemy.

M&S was the first UK retailer to introduce its own virtual influencer.

Launched in 2018 to give M&S staff the opportunity to share style inspiration and product finds, M&S Insiders welcomed a new virtual member. Mira, the first digital influencer ever to be introduced by a UK retailer, joined the team to showcase M&S’s latest collections, trends and give style tips. By advertising a virtual character, M&S can now experiment more effectively, respond more quickly to trend calls and be flexible with how and when content is marketed. Also, the innovation allows the company to connect with a younger audience and build a community with a tech-savvy demographic.