It's March of 2023 and the metaverse is heating up again, and brands are charging ahead with their digital roadmaps. Balmain, the Parisian luxury fashion house, is making waves in the virtual world once again with the launch of its Unicorn sneaker silhouette in the metaverse. Teaming up with Web3 fashion brand Space Runners, the brand will release a series of NFTs based on the iconic sneaker in a new colorway that will also have a physical twin, available in different levels of rarity. Balmain's commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation is undeniable, and this latest project proves that the brand is determined to be a key player in the digital wearables market.

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But Balmain is not the only brand making moves in the metaverse. The beauty industry is also tapping into the potential of this digital world. NYX, the cosmetics giant, has recognized the power of China's virtual humans in its latest campaign and has appointed virtual influencer ALiCE as the sustainability ambassador for the brand's China arm. With over 729,000 followers on Weibo, this marketing push is expected to pay off big for NYX and position the brand as a leader in China's virtual beauty market.

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Meanwhile, OPI, the nail salon conglomerate, has rolled out a platform for emerging creatives to showcase their unique aesthetics in the metaverse. It's clear that the beauty industry is poised to grab the metaverse by the horns and make full use of its potential.

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Collaboration is also key in the metaverse, as evidenced by the partnership between RTFKT and Ledger. The two industry leaders have announced the launch of the first in a series of educational programs and collaborative drops, beginning with a physical release of a special all-white custom edition of the Ledger Nano S Plus and I’m Nano X hardware wallets. The partnership highlights how brands are pushing to offer their consumers more value-driven assets and tackle metaverse security concerns through education and empowerment.

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In short, the metaverse is quickly becoming a key space for brands to innovate and engage with their audiences in new and exciting ways. Balmain, NYX, OPI, RTFKT, and Ledger are just a few examples of how brands are charging ahead in the digital world, pushing the boundaries of what's possible and competing to be at the forefront of Web3 engagement. With the pace of innovation showing no signs of slowing down, it's clear that the metaverse is a space to watch in the coming years.

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Written By:  Coco Moore