Cover Photo: Mattel Creations
Photo: Mattel Creations
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The three exclusive NFTs are available by auction on MintNFT’s website and the physical collection is currently available on the Balmain website
Through the years, Barbie has been the first to do a number of things—she’s been to the moon in 1965 (four years before Neil Armstrong!), a scientist, paleontologist, computer engineer and many more. And now, Barbie is making her first foray into NFTs through a collaboration with French fashion house Balmain.
This collaboration serves as a stepping stone for toy manufacturer, Mattel Creations, to delve into the digital art realm. The exclusive collaboration includes three NFTs of Barbie and Ken avatars dressed in pieces from Balmain.
The limited NFTs will be available through an auction hosted by MintNFT from January 11. The winners of the auction will secure exclusive ownership of their avatar, as well as a real-life Barbie-scale version of the look from the collection.
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Above Photo: Mattel Creations
Photo: Mattel Creations
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Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are transferrable and unique digital items which have recently taken the fashion world by storm. NFTs offer several advantages to the creation, issuance and collection of digital items, including an irrefutable certificate of authenticity and an immutable record of provenance and ownership.
In case you missed it: NFTs: Everything You Need to Know About The Digital Phenomenon
In recent weeks, fashion NFTs have garnered traction from the general populace as well as from celebrities, such as Eminem, who most notably forked out 123.45 Ether—approximately US$450,000 for a piece from the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection, and Idris Elba, who purchased several NFTs from Singapore-based artist Shavonne Wong.
Above Photo: Bored Ape Yacht Club
Photo: Bored Ape Yacht Club
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Packing a punch of pink, a colour that has become synonymous with Barbie, Balmain’s collaboration with the legendary doll maker, Mattel Creations, instantly catches one’s eye. The physical collection comprises apparel and accessories, mostly in the colour pink, ranging from the softest hues to the most striking of tones.
Incorporating the iconic Barbie pink, as well as the mesmerising labyrinth pattern in its elaborate design, this limited-edition Balmain x Barbie capsule collection is the perfect crossover between the toy and fashion industry.
Above Photo: Balmain
Photo: Balmain
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“This collection also rejects any arbitrary gender limitations—this is an almost 100 per cent unisex collection. For, just as today’s Barbie makes clear, there’s nothing holding us back anymore,” Balmain creative director, Olivier Rousteing said in a statement.
Above Photo: Balmain
Photo: Balmain
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Many fashion companies, including Balmain, believe that virtual fashion will become ubiquitous. In fact, the luxury brand is no stranger to the lucrative world of NFTs. The luxury brand was one of the first to venture into multiple NFT projects, Balmain has previously released luxury NFTs focused on digital pieces of art and in-game items on online games.
Above Photo: Balmain
Photo: Balmain
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Despite its burgeoning popularity, the future of fashion collectables is still uncertain as detractors disparage its utility and simply regard it as a passing digital fad.
Will fashion NFTs find its place in the fashion scene? Or will it simply be phased out by the next fashion trend? Only time will tell.
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