UNXD

UNXD positions itself as a curated marketplace for digital luxury and culture, operating at the intersection of high fashion, art, and blockchain technology. Founded in 2021 by Shashi Menon and Nick Gonzalez, the company aims to bridge iconic luxury brands with the Web3 and metaverse ecosystems. The founders' backgrounds are rooted in high-end media; they are the driving force behind Nervora, the media company responsible for Vogue and WIRED in the Middle East. This editorial and cultural curation expertise forms the foundation of UNXD's strategy, focusing on narrative and creating significant cultural moments rather than just digital collectibles.

The company's business model is centered on collaborating with premier global brands to launch crypto-native products, immersive experiences, and NFT collections on its marketplace, which is built on the Polygon network. UNXD facilitates the entry of these brands into the digital asset space, managing the creation and storytelling around the collections. A key aspect of their product offering is the fusion of digital and physical items, where an NFT can be paired with a tangible, often bespoke, luxury good, providing a unique form of utility and value to collectors. This approach was exemplified in their historic collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana for the 'Collezione Genesi' collection, which featured nine museum-grade, hand-made items and their digital counterparts, generating nearly $6 million in sales. Subsequent partnerships have included other prominent luxury names like Jacob & Co. and Valentino.

In March 2022, UNXD secured $4 million in a funding round led by major crypto investors including Animoca Brands, Polygon Studios, and Red DAO. This capital was earmarked for expanding its team and platform capabilities to further build out the ecosystem for crypto-native fashion and luxury. The platform has hosted pioneering drops that have collectively generated sales approaching 10,000 ETH. Through these high-profile collaborations and by co-hosting events like Metaverse Fashion Week with Decentraland, UNXD is working to solidify its position as a key gateway for luxury brands venturing into the digital world.

Keywords: digital luxury, NFT marketplace, luxury brands, Web3 fashion, crypto culture, metaverse, phygital, Dolce & Gabbana NFT, Shashi Menon, Nick Gonzalez, Polygon network, digital collectibles, Nervora, Jacob & Co. NFT, Valentino NFT, crypto-native products, fashion NFTs, digital assets, Animoca Brands, cultural NFTs