French luxury fashion house Balmain has unveiled a limited-edition phygital version of its iconic Unicorn sneakers in collaboration with digital fashion community SpaceRunners. The physical sneakers are accompanied by a limited-edition series of NFTs to commemorate the collaboration. These NFTs give the holder access to exclusive digital experiences such as i.e. early access to Balmain drops, exclusive physical accessories, digital wearables for games and metaverses, token airdrops and also feature unique artwork designs inspired by the collaboration, making them a desirable collector’s item.

Image Source: Official website of Balmain
The process is relatively simple. Upon purchasing the Companion Bundle using traditional payment methods or cryptocurrency, buyers will get an email link to claim their limited-edition NFT which unlocks exclusive benefits including early access to future Balmain drops, exclusive physical accessories, future token airdrops, digital wearables for games and metaverses, and much more. From there, owners can redeem a physical pair of the unicorn sneakers, which are available in contemporary designs from Balmain Spring/Summer 2023. So, why is there so much excitement about this collaboration? NFT collectors share common ground with stylish sneakerheads: after all, both thrive on the hype, scarcity and a close-knit community. And, each pair has a digital keychain that verifies its authenticity and is permanently documented on the blockchain.
“As the physical and the digital continue to merge, Balmain is dedicated to continually exploring emerging avenues that help recruit new recruits to the very busy, diverse and global Balmain army. Therefore, knowing that this collaboration allows us to introduce this historic house to a wider audience, Balmain is very pleased to have partnered with Space Runners to focus on the bold spirit and silhouette of Olivier Rousteing’s latest unicorn designs,” Txampi Diz, Chief Marketing Officer, Balmain.
The Balmain x Space Runners Unicorn collection is available on Balmain’s official website and customers have the choice to pay with either ETH or credit/debit cards.

Jasmeen Dugal is a senior writer and author for FashionABC where she is responsible for writing stories that cover the fashion industry as a whole, from fashion events to innovative brands that are transforming the industry through the use of the metaverse, sustainability, and new digital solutions. She is also very active on Instagram with more than 92k followers.
Before joining FashionABC, Jasmeen worked with Condenast India as Digital Editor, and she was instrumental in launching Vogue India’s official website. Her experience in the industry spans over a decade, during which time she has gained invaluable insights into the workings of the fashion world.
Four years ago, Jasmeen embarked on a new adventure and launched her own luxury portal, where she continues to focus on telling the stories of the people behind the brands. Her unique approach to editorial has helped her stand out in the industry, and her work is highly regarded by her peers.
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