Balmain, the renowned luxury fashion house, has introduced a captivating capsule collection in partnership with the widely popular Japanese anime franchise, Pokémon. This collaboration signifies Balmain’s debut into the world of anime-inspired fashion while also showcasing their dedication to expanding their audience.
The collection presents an array of ready-to-wear clothing pieces adorned with Pikachu, the iconic Pokémon character, along with a captivating labyrinth motif. T-shirts, jackets, shirts, and even the B-Bold sneakers proudly display these playful designs.
To add a unique touch to this collaboration, Balmain has teamed up with IoT company SharpEnd to create 15 meticulously hand-embroidered Balmain x Pokémon badges. These badges are equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology and will be available for purchase at nine Balmain stores across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Customers can scan these badges to access exclusive content and services, such as VIP tickets to the upcoming Balmain Festival, set to take place on September 28th during Paris Fashion Week.
Olivier Rousteing, the artistic director of Balmain, expressed his enthusiasm for exploring NFC technology for the first time, stating, “We are excited to incorporate new technologies that provide our customers with an engaging experience and make our brand more accessible than ever before.”
In addition to the physical NFC badges, fans of the Pokémon UNITE game can also discover virtual goodies that can be used to enhance their avatars within the game.
This collaboration follows in the footsteps of Kenzo, another prominent brand, which recently incorporated NFC technology into its pop-up store. Visitors had the opportunity to collect a unique NFT (Non-Fungible Token) called a POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) to commemorate their attendance at the event.
Luxury brands are evidently embracing new technologies and exploring the possibilities presented by the Web3 era. The Balmain and Pokémon collaboration exemplifies the fusion of fashion, anime, and technology, creating an immersive and thrilling experience for fans and customers alike.
If you’re interested in learning more about the potential of Web3 for the luxury sector, be sure to check out our thematic dossier available for download here.
Useful links:
– Balmain Official Website: https://www.balmain.com
– Pokémon Official Website: https://www.pokemon.com
