eBay snaps up NFT marketplace KnownOrigin

June 27: US e-commerce giant eBay has bought non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace KnownOrigin for an undisclosed sum.

Pritish Bagdi

Pic Courtesy: eBay press room

Founded in Manchester in 2018, KnownOrigin’s technology and platform enables artists and collectors to create, buy and resell NFTs via blockchain-support transactions.

eBay said the acquisition of KnownOrigin is an “important step” in its “tech-led reimagination, ushering in a new era of digital collecting to the world's top destination for collectibles”.

NFTs are ‘one-of-a-kind’ digital assets - such as art, pictures, videos, or even memes - that can be bought and sold online.

The highly speculative digital assets exploded in popularity during the pandemic, with a flurry of fashion companies launching their own collections as they looked to capitalise on the popular but nascent NFT space.

In December 2021, sportswear giant Nike snapped up RTFKT, a virtual sneaker and fashion start-up that makes wearable NFTs for the digital world.

Commenting on the acquisition of KnownOrigin, eBay CEO Jamie Iannone said: “eBay is the first stop for people across the globe who are searching for that perfect, hard-to-find, or unique addition to their collection and, with this acquisition, we will remain a leading site as our community is increasingly adding digital collectibles.”

The move comes after eBay began allowing the buying and selling of NFTs in May 2021.

Iannone continued: “KnownOrigin has built up an impressive, passionate and loyal group of artists and collectors making them a perfect addition to our community of sellers and buyers. We look forward to welcoming these innovators as they join the eBay community.”

#thecommunique #tc #tcn #nft #ebay #metaverse #metatainment

Clinique drops NFT makeup campaign addressing diversity in metaverse

Beauty brand Clinique has revealed a new non-fungible token (NFT) campaign in partnership with digital artist Daz 3D, addressing the lack of representation in the metaverse.

Swati Bhat

Pic Courtesy: Clinique x Daz 3D, Tess Daly

For the ‘Metaverse More Like Us’ campaign, the Estée Lauder-owned brand has collaborated with a number of global makeup artists, including Tess Daly and Sheika Daley, on the design of the digital artwork.

Each of the makeup artists curated two looks for non-fungible people (NFP), with varying skin tones, face shapes, hairstyles and makeup inspired by real-life Clinique products.

Next to the avatar designs, the artists will share the inspiration behind the NFP looks via social media channels.

Released in three drops over the course of the summer, the digital art will be offered to 1,968 randomly selected avatar NFP collection holders, with the first drop in July, second in August and the third occurring in September.

“Over the past 20 years, Daz 3D has consistently created inclusive representation in the digital environment and is thrilled to continue this tradition with Clinique,” said Jessica Rizzuto, SVP of e-commerce at Daz 3D, in a release.

Rizzuto said: “Our ground-breaking NFT collections, like NFP and our partnership with Clinique, are breaking barriers and challenging the status quo. Through this campaign and the stunning NFT makeup looks, we are proud to bring this to life in the metaverse.”

#thecommunique #metaverse #look Clinique #makeup #tc #tcn #metatainment