- Sports brand Puma, Web3 streetwear brand Gutter Cat Gang, and NBA player LaMelo Ball are collaborating to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) sneaker collection.
- The NFT sneakers, named “GutterMelo MB.03,” will be available to mint on OpenSea on June 29 and will come with a physical pair of shoes.
In an exciting development blending the worlds of sport, street fashion, and blockchain, Gutter Cat Gang, a renowned Web3 streetwear brand, is partnering with footwear giant Puma and NBA professional LaMelo Ball to release a collection of non-fungible token (NFT) sneakers.
Named “GutterMelo MB.03,” this digital sneaker collection is set to open its minting gates on the popular NFT marketplace, OpenSea, on June 29. As per the brand’s website, this innovative sneaker collection ushers in a “new era for hoops apparel and fashion.” Ball, in collaboration with Puma under his fashion line MB, has designed these digital-physical sneakers.
In a break from tradition, the purchase of these NFT sneakers also grants the buyer a tangible, real-world pair of shoes, allowing enthusiasts to showcase their unique style both in physical spaces and the digital domain. As the brand’s website explains,
“this collaboration pushes the boundaries of innovation by empowering hoopers to express their unique style both on the court and online, while bringing more mainstream awareness to web3 technology and digital collectibles.”
Potential buyers can currently register to purchase on the allowlist platform, Premint. However, with the site already stating an over-allocation, not all hopefuls will have the opportunity to mint into the collection. The early access allowlist offers collectors the chance to purchase the GutterMelo MB.03 sneakers at $175. Buyers on the early access waitlist will face a slightly higher price tag of $195. Once the collection is open to the public, the price escalates to $215.
This collaboration adds another milestone to the journey of fashion’s transition into the NFT space, with sneakers and streetwear emerging as frontrunners in the digital fashion revolution. Earlier in the year, Nike launched its first digital sneaker collection on its Web3 platform, .Swoosh, which, despite technical hiccups, exceeded $1 million in sales. Meanwhile, Adidas introduced its initial series of NFTs in tandem with its Web3 ecosystem, Into the Metaverse, in April.
