How the future of sneakers is digitisation: from Nike’s RTFKT to Zellerfeld’s 3D-printed shoes, innovators are pushing the boundaries
- Digitisation is reshaping the sneaker industry, offering new possibilities for brands, designers and consumers spanning design, production, retail and ownership
- Streetwear designer Jeff Staple sees a future where customers’ feet are scanned in store for on-the-spot, zero-waste shoe production using recycled materials
In fashion’s ever-evolving landscape, the footwear industry stands out as a fast adopter of new technologies, pushing the boundaries of design, manufacturing and consumer experiences.
Now more than ever, the sneaker industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation driven by digitisation, which offers new possibilities for brands, designers and consumers alike spanning design, production, retail and ownership.
At the forefront of this wave is RTFKT (pronounced “artefact”), a Web3 studio that has captured the imagination of the sneaker community with its futuristic designs and groundbreaking use of blockchain technology.
Acquired by Nike in 2021, RTFKT marries physical sneakers with their digital counterparts, creating unique experiences that blur the line between the real and virtual worlds.
Each RTFKT sneaker is equipped with an NFC chip, allowing users to unlock exclusive digital assets, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), that enhance the sneaker’s story and value.
