Over the weekend, it was all about the annual Art Basel show in Miami. An opportunity for some of Web3’s most prolific creators to mingle with mainstream artists, models and celebrities alike, the event made its way onto the radar of all major media outlets during Miami’s four-day lockdown. Luxury fashion participation was bigger than ever, with some of the industry’s biggest players bringing their brands to life through Web3 activations. Will 2023 be the year that Art Basel becomes the most popular fashion destination in the world?

It was also a busy week for China, which welcomed sportswear brand Fila to the country’s digital landscape through a partnership with Tmall Sports. The design duo behind menswear brand Staffonly is also back on the Chinaverse radar. After a year of virtual projects for creatives, including the launch of Staffonly’s Virtual Auction platform, they are closing out 2022 with their biggest effort yet: a cross-border collaboration with sports giant Puma. May the best player win.

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revered Artist Alejandro Arrechea Transform Balmain’s ‘Villa Balmain’ into a multifaceted virtual experience

What happened: On the heels of the unveiling of Balmain’s metaverse mansion, “Villa Balmain,” a digital interpretation of Pierre Balmain’s IRL estate built in the late ’50s, during Art Basel in Miami, Alexandre Arrechea is taking his partnership with the luxury home one step further. The artist-slash-architect has created four special masks inspired by the Villa Balmain honeycombs as an extension of the project. The skins, developed as digital animations, arrive with their physical skin counterparts made of Swarovski Crystals and Crystal Pearls, available for $95,000 (662,400 RMB).

The verdict: Balmain is slowly but surely curating a strong brand presence in the virtual world, and their latest project demonstrates the power of collaborating with artists in the space, particularly by bringing fresh perspectives and creative voices to the metaverse. Although digital skins command a steep price tag, his previous Need For Speed ​​and Barbie collaborations have fallen to a more reasonable price point, highlighting how the house is striving to make its Web3 roadmap accessible to everyone.

The Metaverse RSTLSS platform will give influencers and artists the space to create and sell their own digital fashion. Photo: Courtesy of RSTLSS

Charli Cohen Launches RSTLSS, a Metaverse Platform for Digital Fashion Creatives

What happened: Designer Charli Cohen has launched an innovative digital fashion platform created for and by her community. An expansion of their existing namesake brand, influencers and artists will be able to create and sell their multiverse fashion visions. To celebrate the launch of RSTLSS, the platform released its first release with a digital skin that unlocks the “key” to the experience. The virtual garment, created in collaboration with ten selected artists, can be personalized. Owners can also use their RSTLSS creations as “designer skins” in the gaming industry, and can then redeem a custom physical garment.

The verdict: Extending his eponymous label into the Web3 space makes perfect sense for Cohen, who has built a career on pioneering ideas and fostering innovation in fashion. With accessibility and creative freedom as key themes, RSTLSS is sure to resonate with the digital community. It can also encourage the traditional fashion cohort into the world of fashion online, extending Cohen’s creative vision through the physical world and multiple virtual realms.

After a jam-packed year of Web3 activations, Puma partners with menswear brand Staffonly to bring their vision to the Asian metaverse. Photo: Cougar

Puma turns to Chinese menswear brand Staffonly for new Web3 campaign

What happened: Sportswear leader and Web3 pioneer Puma is leveraging Chinaverse for its next virtual initiative. On December 3, the brand collaborated with local favorite Staffonly on a new collection, bringing a selection of digital sneakers to life. Inspired by the concept of the “unknown”, the launch focused on futuristic design and the possibilities of virtual reality. The three types of shoes on sale were layered: Wireless, X-Ray, and Metal Fuzz, each with their own unique qualities. Edgy design was a recurring theme throughout the collaboration, expanding the creative visions of both brands into new ways.

The verdict: Staffonly, a company best known for its menswear, is not new to the virtual landscape. In fact, this drop is just one part of an already existing roadmap for the brand. Earlier this year, the design duo launched the dedicated virtual platform, Auction for staff only. But this latest collaboration is set to introduce the line to a broader global market, pulling it out of the Chinaverse and into the mainstream realm of Web3.

With his latest project, can Fila break the Chinaverse through Tmall Sports?

What happened: Finally, Tmall Sports has partnered with sportswear brand Fila on a co-branded digital collectibles launch to celebrate the joy of tennis. Announced via Weibo on November 29, the limited-edition project features a selection of ape-inspired collectibles, plus an interactive event space where users can enter a raffle for both a free digital collectible and a physical gift. Of the brand.

The verdict: Fila has spent the last year regaining cultural relevance. Following her collaborations with Hader Ackermann in November and, more recently, with Michael Kors, the lifestyle brand is now moving into China’s virtual landscape with her latest campaign. After a strong year of growth across the continent, in 2021, the label achieved a record revenue of $3.37 billion (21.82 billion RMB) Will the drop also help Fila cement a strong and leading presence in the Chinaverse?