Digital fashion label MNTGE has launched Patchwork, a limited 7,500 edition NFT collection where each patch is a unique physical-digital item designed by 11 renowned artists.
The vintage-inspired, Web3 brand’s NFT patches feature custom artwork spanning digital art, embroidery, illustration, and tattooing from contemporary creators. These include NFT artists like Coldie, Ovie “OSF” Faruq, digital artist Grant Yun, and Nyan Cat meme creator Chris Torres.
Each NFT can be redeemed for a physical patch equipped with an NFC chip. By bridging digital collectibles and tangible artworks, MNTGE is enabling owners to access exclusive physical artist merchandise through its latest NFT drop.
MNTGE co-founder Nick Adler stated the brand prides itself on craftsmanship and collaborating with premier artists to bridge Web2 and Web3 while celebrating artistry.
The roster features major figures like pseudonymous artist All Seeing Seneca, former lead artist for Bored Ape Yacht Club now known for surreal digital art. Her patch highlights a new character called Shermie.
Seneca told the media her creative process remains consistent across mediums because an art canvas should have multifaceted utility. By partnering with renowned artists like Seneca, MNTGE is underscoring its ethos of fusing digital and physical while spotlighting talented creators.
Additional prominent Patchwork creators include Jen Stark, known for illusion art displayed at the Smithsonian and ranking as Foundation’s first female top 10 highest-selling NFT artist.
Tattoo artist Scott Campbell, who has inked many celebrities, stated patch and tattoo culture share parallels. He has explored minting tattoo designs pre-inking.
However, some artists like chain stitch creator StayChillBill are entirely new to NFTs. By blending renowned and emerging talent, MNTGE demonstrates its ethos of bridging digital and physical art while providing artists exposure to Web3.
Adler said the eclectic mix of artists was highly exciting, like chainstitcher StayChillBill who embroiders for musicians and has an authentic punk brand.
The Patchwork public sale starts today at 2 PM ET on OpenSea with each 0.07 ETH NFT costing around $130.
MNTGE is also utilizing Ethereum’s ERC-6551 “NFT Inception” protocol enabling NFTs to hold other NFTs, unlocking novel utility.
By bridging digital and physical, showcasing diverse talent, and leveraging Web3 technology, MNTGE is pioneering new dimensions of fashion and art with its latest NFT patch drop.
After scanning the integrated NFC chip via smartphone, each patch can be digitally signed by its creator with the signature permanently saved on the digital record, like a real-life artist autographing a garment.
Co-founder Brennan Russo compared this to having artists like business partner Snoop Dogg physically sign apparel. In June, Gmoney and Jeff Staple leveraged ERC-6551 for signed 9dcc X Stapleverse caps using similar digital signature tech.
By incorporating NFC chips and Ethereum’s NFT Inception protocol, MNTGE replicates tangible artist signatures digitally, pioneering new avenues of connecting physical fashion items with blockchain technology and provenance.
After Patchwork, MNTGE will sell vintage jackets with sleeve NFC chips. Physical jackets can be customized by stitching on patches, while digital patches can be added to digital jacket twins via ERC-6551.
Adler stated customization is core to fashion, influencing all of MNTGE’s work. They created 100 special physical-digital jackets for guests at Christie’s Art + Tech Summit dinner, underscoring this ethos.
Between the patch NFT drop and the upcoming jacket rollout, MNTGE is pioneering new dimensions of fashion by bridging physical customization with digital provenance via NFTs and blockchain technology.
Russo said the digital jacket will function like a wallet, with plans to gamify levels based on owned patch quantities.
Adler noted the potential for event storytelling, embedding tickets in garments to unlock perks. The founders believe MNTGE’s cultural/technological fusion spearheaded by compelling products will drive adoption.
As Russo stated, niche communities spawn wider trends, making vintage culture the epicenter. By identifying emerging trends early, MNTGE seeks to capture lightning in a bottle.
Through vintage fashion, cultural icons, blockchain technology, and IRL experiences, MNTGE is pioneering the intersection of digital and physical to drive the adoption of Web3 concepts.
