Nike Inc, in partnership with digital art design studio RTFKT, has announced the release of the physical form of its NFT Air Force 1 sneakers.
The Forging Event
Initially created by the American footwear giant RTFKT, and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, the digital Air Force 1 footwear will now be available for purchase in a physical form. The physical products are set to be released between April 24th and May 8th on RTFKT’s official website.
Forge the Future 4.24.23 🧬👟https://t.co/bnA9zuWSTJ pic.twitter.com/a8xZN7HgPC
— RTFKT (@RTFKT) March 18, 2023
The release will take place during a Forging event, where holders of eligible NFTs can exchange their digital tokens for limited, made-to-order physical items. Only those who hold items from the NFT Air Force 1 collection designed by RTFKT will be eligible to buy the physical Nike sneakers.
To participate, individuals must purchase NFTs of the desired color from the 10 available options. After selecting a color, tokens can be redeemed for the new physical footwear, along with paying the gas fee. Nike and RTFKT plan to deliver the physical Air Force 1 to owners in the year’s final quarter.
Pre-Forging Event Collection
For those who do not currently own digital collectibles but wish to participate in the Forging event, there is an opportunity to purchase NFTs from the Pre-Forging event collection on OpenSea and other secondary marketplaces. The cost of participating in the event will vary depending on whether a digital collectible is already owned.
If a digital collectible is owned, participants will only need to pay gas fees for transactions during the Forging event. Otherwise, individuals will need to buy a pair of NFTs on OpenSea or another secondary marketplace to be eligible for the Forging event.
Nike continues to thread into the NFT world
In January, Nike launched a new community-driven platform, SWOOSH Studio, which offers users the chance to co-create virtual sneakers, apparel, accessories, and other collectibles with leading Nike designers. The platform, which was released in beta in January, aims to create a space for Nike fans to co-create the brand’s future and build and display their own collections, as well as trade and flex their virtual creations as in-game wearables.
The virtual creations offered by .SWOOSH includes sneakers, apparel, accessories, and other collectibles that can be worn in games or other immersive experiences. Some of these virtual creations will also unlock benefits in the physical world, such as access to in-real-life products and exclusive events. Nike is designing virtual creations as a way to innovate and inspire people to build a creative, inclusive future with possibilities for everyone.
Release showcases the blending of digital and physical products
The release of physical NFT Air Force 1 sneakers by Nike and RTFKT marks a significant development in the blending of digital and physical products. This innovative approach, leveraging the popularity of NFTs, showcases the potential for merging traditional retail with digital assets. With the involvement of renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, this collaboration has generated excitement among art enthusiasts, sneakerheads, and NFT collectors alike.
As Nike and RTFKT plan to deliver the physical Air Force 1 sneakers in the year’s final quarter, anticipation continues to grow. This groundbreaking event will not only create a new avenue for NFT holders to enjoy their digital assets in the physical realm, but also demonstrates the evolution of the consumer market as technology advances. The successful execution of this event could pave the way for similar collaborations in the future, further blurring the lines between digital and physical products (phygital).
