K11 Musea’s phygital playground, plus more Web3 drops

This week in Web3 news, Hong Kong’s buzzy retail-meets-art concept space K11 Musea and Spin.Fashion will up a new phygital portal to the public. In collaboration with Peter Yee, the unsung maestro behind Oakley’s hyper-futuristic silhouettes, the store will introduce shoppers to the burgeoning world of phygital design. Across the pond, digital fashion house The Fabricant is teaming up with milliner and denim artisan Guild on a digital accessories collection, leveraging the power of augmented reality and 3D design. K11 Musea x Peter Yee x Spin.Fashion unveil phygital design exhibition What happened: Hong Kong’s buzzy retail destination K11 Musea has announced its latest conceptual venture: a phygital exhibition in partnership with artist and designer Peter Yee. Launching in March, coinciding with Art Basel Hong Kong, the project will utilize phygital technology to showcase Yee’s never-before-seen prototypes, personal sketches, and rare limited edition eyewear and watch pieces from the golden age of Oakley. Each piece arrives with its own 3D digital twin and is paired with an NFC chip authenticated on blockchain. Spin.Fashion will also power immersive AR and VR experiences, accessed via the Apple Vision Pro. Why it matters: Hong Kong is ahead of the curve when it comes to experiential concept spaces, backed by shifting consumer expectations in the post-pandemic climate. “The preferences of inbound tourists have shifted from a sole focus on shopping towards a greater emphasis on experiential retail and social media-driven activities,” writes Cushman & Wakefield. A trend that’s yet to snowball across the rest of Asia and the West, phygital activations are a promising avenue for brands looking to up their retail game. The project also turns the spotlight on the unsung creatives in fashion design who often find themselves overlooked in the industry. The Fabricant launches 3D AR headwear with Guild What happened: Marking Guild’s first foray into the world of digital design, the headwear and denim atelier has teamed up with digital fashion leader The Fabricant to transform two of its hero headwear pieces into virtual wearables. Coined “Master Peace,” the AR-enabled hats will be available to mint on January 30 via The Fabricant’s site. Why it matters: Digital accessories have become a more appealing entry point for users who want to invest in digital fashion but are not yet convinced by virtual garment designs. 3D hats, for example, are an accessible feature that can be easily tapped by everyone. For Guild, a brand committed to preserving artisanal crafts like millinery, the tie-up demonstrates how forward-thinking pioneers like The Fabricant can honor old-school design techniques via Web3. As of today, The Fabricant’s primary audience base remains early adopters of tech and virtual fashion; the next step is working on how to expand that influence without diluting its image or impact in Web3. KIKI.World releases community-voted skincare for beauty lovers What happened: Following the release of its community-voted products last year — a nail polish and liquid makeup pen — Web3-native beauty brand Kiki launched its first skincare product to its members on January 23. The “Skin Development Kit” was created in partnership with Kiki’s community, who could vote on the product’s format, formula, and fragrance. Those who voted were rewarded with Kiki points, which they could redeem for products. Meanwhile, regular voters will be invited to dive into the behind-the-scenes development process. Why it matters: Kiki’s concept brings new meaning to the “you spoke, we listened” mantra that so many beauty brands claim they swear by today. With beauty enthusiasts demanding more personal relationships with their favorite brands, in which they feel represented and heard, co-creation is the way forward for intimate industries like beauty. Not only can crowdsourced products bolster brand loyalty, but they can also increase sales conversions by decentralizing influence.

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K11 Musea’s phygital playground, plus more Web3 drops