Nike x RTFKT has just unveiled its Cryptokicks Smart Footwear Line

The importance of the creative process in the NFT space cannot be underestimated. After all, Web3 would not exist if not for the innovative fusion of art and technology as it exists via the blockchain. So for people and brands who create at the intersection of physical and digital, conception and presentation both weigh heavily on the creative process.

To bridge the gap between our tangible physical reality and a digitized existence presented to us by means of the metaverse, uncharted territory must be conquered. This is perhaps the reason why big brands, such as Nike, have chosen to make their big entrance into Web3 with the help of established market leaders such as RTFKT. Through a kind of surrogacy, brands can hedge their bets on blockchain technology while funding those manning the front lines.

But no matter how fast things move in Web3, nothing happens overnight. While market conditions and unscrupulous events have sent the blockchain industry into a difficult phase, RTFKT, during their panel at nft now x Mana Common’s The Gateway, showed exactly why building a quality project/product is a long game, not a shortcut. to success. Working from this point, RTFKT Co-Founders Steven Vasilev and Chris Lee gave the collective NFT community something to think about by giving a sneak peek at their upcoming Cryptokicks smart footwear line.

Digital meets physical in the most literal way

During The Gateway panel “Merging Worlds: Fashion, Lore, and Empowering Creators,” Vasilev and Le took the stage with influential Web3 builder and Rug Radio founder Farokh Sarmad to have an informal conversation about what had happened within RTFKT. Considering the young company was acquired by Nike almost exactly one year earlier, the collective NFT community has kept the metaverse fashion house in the spotlight as a champion of the Web3.

Vasilev and Le did not disappoint. The pair not only appeared wearing prototypes of the highly anticipated “Cryptokicks” shoes that have been making the rounds on social media lately, currently in development by RTFKT and Nike, but also gave some insight into what the near future may hold for fans of labeled.

“It’s basically RTFKT’s smartwatch in a sneaker,” Vasilev explained to the room. “In terms of functionality, they have accelerometers, automatic lacing and lighting. They have everything you can imagine a shoe could have in terms of haptics and vibration. For us, we use them as a tool to merge worlds.”

Alongside an app that can control the shoes, allowing owners to change functions with the push of a button, Vasilev noted that decades of Nike technology went into creating the upcoming footwear line, which he says is the first true Web3- the sneaker. Despite the amount of information he offered during the panel, he ultimately noted that all details will be released on December 5th.

RTFKT, and the journey to icon status

Even beyond the upcoming Cryptokicks project, Vasilev and Le made it clear that RTFKT will venture far beyond the current scope of digital wearables. Speaking about connecting RTFKT IP going forward, Le said projects from the company’s past will continue to influence knowledge and storytelling going forward.

“This is the storytelling phase of RTFKT. This is probably a stretch, but I really think we’re going to crush the Marvel Cinematic Universe down the road,” Le said. “We’re going deep and we have really good story writers. We make sure all plot holes are filled because we’re trying to set the tone and the environment for our community to come in and add to the story.”

For years, RTFKT has existed as a premiere source for metaverse fashion. Early on in its journey, the fledgling company became an NFT community favorite through innovative digital wearable collaborations with acclaimed young creator FEWOCiOUS – and of course CLONE X creative partner Takashi Murakami. RTFKT achieved a unique presence in the NFT space as a company built by and for the non-fungible community and hopes to continue to capitalize on this NFT native connection.

“I think we’re the first brand to combine fashion, sneakers and crypto in a way that hasn’t been done before,” Vasilev added. “What we’re trying to build is a platform for new designers and new collaborators. We want to build with our community.”