Chalhoub Group unveils web3-native, community-centric sneaker brand SOL3MATES
Luxury retailer Chalhoub Group has launched its web3-native, community-centric sneaker brand SOL3MATES. Designed to reshape the industry SOL3MATES aims to produce limited-edition sneakers to guarantee exclusivity while simultaneously avoiding waste, and pushes the boundaries of innovation, creativity and storytelling, while empowering global sneaker designers to positively disrupt the current sneaker industry.
SOL3MATES aims to create an immersive and engaging experience by involving its community members in all aspects of their sneaker journey, from onboarding new designers to the co-creation of upcoming sneaker drops. Customers will be able to buy a membership NFT (SOL3MATES OG NFT) to join the community and experience exclusive membership benefits including early access, preferred pricing, virtual wearables, free merchandise, community events but also access to monthly sneaker giveaways, hype sneakers at retail and surprise perks at event and retail partners.
“SOL3MATES will be to the sneaker industry what the lace is to the shoe: the element that ties it all, that brings the physical and the digital together and that links the sneaker community with the web3 community in an original way,” said Michael Chalhoub, President of Strategy, Growth, Innovation and Investment and Joint Ventures at Chalhoub Group.
All of SOL3MATES’ sneaker collections will be designed in collaboration with upcoming sneaker designers across the globe functioning as the creative directors of their collections. SOL3MATES’ first sneaker collection will be revealed on April 12, and is designed by up-and-coming French designer KACIMI LATAMENE known globally for his viral sneaker concepts.
SOL3MATES sneakers will be available for pre-order in limited quantities and community members owning an NFT will have pre-access to the sneakers at a preferred price. The public will be able to pre- order after the community pre-order window closes, if any sneakers are remaining. The SOL3MATES sneakers will be delivered for free to community members worldwide one month before the public and they will also feature NFC-authentication, AR-augmentation and a virtual counterpart, wearable in Decentraland.
“Since we sold out our Christofle NFT collection in 5 minutes, we started thinking what we could launch that could generate an even bigger impact. SOL3MATES aims to be the small snowball that creates an avalanche of positive disruption in the sneaker industry, together with its community and the designers we’ll collaborate with,” added Nick Vinckier, Head of Corporate Innovation and Founder of SOL3MATES.
Watsons to open 20 new stores in the GCC
In 2020, global health & beauty retailer AS Watson Group signed its
April 29, 2024 | By Rupkatha B / 
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) in cooperation with Lulu
What does it take to sustain profitable growth in the post-IPO phase?
Mahalle began its operations in 2022 as an “Authentic Turkish Grocery in
“Retail is a people’s business. When building a retail brand or the
From being one of the first retailers in Dubai to ban single-use
For starters, Rabbit is a growing e-commerce grocery platform in Egypt always
In 2024 grocery retail major Choithrams has achieved several milestones underscoring its
Industry pioneers are embracing a comprehensive strategy that integrates consumer insights, digital
The regional grocery retail market is evolving fast keeping pace with constantly
From ethical and local sourcing to adopting cutting-edge technologies to curb food
/ 
Regional eyewear retailer, eyewa has raised $100 million in its series C
Marchon Eyewear, Inc., one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of
Born in Senegal and raised in Lebanon, Leïa Khalaf’s journey to becoming
Softlogic Holdings PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerates, has a diverse
During her SOLOx session at the IMAGES RetailME Awards 2024, Mrunal Khimji,
This panel discussion at MRF 2024 explored the balance between digital-first brands
Following the successful launch of its flagship store in City Centre Deira,
In what comes as a significant announcement, Middle East based eyewear majors
Abu Dhabi based retail company LIWA Trading Enterprises, a subsidiary of Al
Aligned with the principles of ‘slow fashion’ UAE-based homegrown brand Ryokō Bags
From designing collections to creating campaigns, from analysing user preferences and purchase
Previous Article
