Gucci may not have been part of the recent Milan Fashion Week but that doesn’t mean it has been sitting idle. In a new move, it has just released a range of digital-only sneakers as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Eyeing the lucrative world of high-end sneakers, and keeping pace with the latest virtual trends, the Italian fashion house has teamed up with fashion-tech specialists Wanna on a range of augmented reality (AR) sneakers. Sold as a package of 25 different styles, all designed by Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele, the set costs $11.99 on Gucci’s website, and just $8.99 through Wanna.
This is actually the second time Gucci and Wanna have worked together. Previously, Wanna created the virtual sneakers that customers could 'try on' via Gucci's app. Industry leaders in the field, Wanna has also worked with Reebok, Snapchat and Puma to create virtual clothing.
Gucci, too, is making inroads into the virtual fashion world, having already created looks for the gaming platform, Roblox, and game Drest, as well as for Sims 4, Pokemon and Zepeto, the 3D social media app.
By creating these virtual kicks, Gucci is aiming to tap into the latest cryptocurrency of NFTs, which assigns a unique and verifiable code to create a one-of-a-kind digital asset, which can then be bought or sold on blockchain.
While this is still a new concept, it is already gaining traction with people hoping to mimic the riches found elsewhere in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
Recently, the artist Beeple sold a digital collage of images as a NFT at Christies for $69 million, while a crude, 10-year-old GIF of a cat / Pop Tart hybrid called Nyan Cat has just sold for $600,000. The founder of Twitter meanwhile, Jack Dorsey, is currently inviting bids for the NFT of his first ever tweet. Bidding presently stands at $2.5 million.
While the NFT world is still very new, it has a vast potential that fashion is eager to explore. Technically, Gucci's new range of sneakers is not actually NFTs, which specifies uniqueness.
Gucci openly aims to release thousands of packages to try and make it accessible to as many as possible. What the long-term effect of this is will be, no one yet knows, as Gucci is experimenting with a totally new approach.
If these virtual kicks will trigger the same re-sale frenzy as their physical counterparts is equally unknown, but one thing is clear - this is the beginning of a whole new chapter in fashion.
if you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals (more at www.hertz.com/etihad). A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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The%20Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Movie
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
The%20Hunger%20Games%3A%20The%20Ballad%20of%20Songbirds%20%26%20Snakes
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Francis%20Lawrence%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ERachel%20Zegler%2C%20Peter%20Dinklage%2C%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Tom%20Blyth%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 0
Stoke City 0
Man of the Match: Erik Pieters (Stoke)
How%20champions%20are%20made
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The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
