Today, Adidas took a significant leap into the digital realm by unveiling Virtual Gear, the brand’s first interoperable product line. This marks a pivotal stage in Adidas’s Web3 strategy, introducing its first 16-piece collection of virtual wearables available as NFTs for Phase 2 Capsule NFT holders.
Traditionally, Adidas has been synonymous with tangible, wearable goods. However, this new collection of 16 digital outfits is designed to be worn by online avatars, symbolizing the brand’s seamless blend of the virtual and physical worlds.
Each item in the Virtual Gear collection is interoperable with various identity-based projects, PFP NFT collections, and virtual worlds. NFT holders can use Adidas’s innovative PFP dressing tool to showcase their new three-stripe outfits across multiple PFP avatars and metaverses.
Adidas began its journey into the metaverse (ITM) in December 2021, releasing 30,000 officially licensed Adidas Originals NFTs and making its first Web3 commitment. Collaborating with Bored Ape Yacht Club, Gmoney, and Punks Comic, Adidas quickly sold out the collection, earning nearly $23 million USD within hours.
Following the successful launch, NFT holders were given the option to “burn” their NFTs in April 2022 in exchange for physical products. This was succeeded by the debut of Ozworld, an AI-driven avatar creation platform that generates personality-based avatars.
In May 2022, Adidas introduced Phase 2 of ITM, conducting one of the largest NFT airdrops in history. The culmination of this phase is now realized with the unveiling of the hidden contents inside the mysterious capsules, providing a thrilling surprise for the holders.
The release of Virtual Gear not only highlights Adidas’s innovative approach to fashion in the digital age but also reinforces its commitment to bridging the gap between virtual and real-world experiences.
