AI Barbiecore On Roblox, Paris Hilton In The Sandbox, Charles & Keith

With Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie release incoming July, Barbiecore has infiltrated retail in physical and digital worlds alike.

Alongside the Dua Lipa Versace collaboration unveiled last week on the Cannes runway come a Roblox artificial intelligence created fashion collaboration with Barbie creator Mattel and retailer Forever 21 plus a Sandbox avatar drop with entrepreneur Paris Hilton.

To coincide with its physical Barbie capsule, Forever 21 has partnered with metaverse creation company Virtual Brand Group on an AI-designed virtual version available exclusively on gaming platform Roblox.

“Virtual fashion is an important part of meeting consumers everywhere they are,” said Jacob Hawkins, Chief Marketing, Omni and Digital officer, Forever 21 in a statement.

“This one-of-a-kind Metaverse Barbie collaboration between Forever 21, Mattel and Virtual Brand Group is at the forefront of bringing physical and virtual products together.”

As for the AI aspect, Virtual Brand Group founder and CEO Justin Hochberg stresses that the technology doesn’t work in silos. “Practically speaking AI is still just a tool,” he said via email, making comparisons with the wheel, printing press or personal computer.

The AI is used in conjunction with human talent and pre-existing human creation.“This collection ultimately comes from the inspiration of Barbie who has developed the intellectual property over 60+ years, forever 21 who invented the physical collection that is now in stores,” he continued, “all underpinned by the amazing human designers who did the virtual collection.”

He recalled Steve Jobs who once likened the computer to a bicycle for the mind: “I say artificial intelligence is like a Tesla at ludicrous speed for creativity.”

Elsewhere, 11:11 Media founded by Paris Hilton and Bruce Gersh is launching a 5,555 strong playable nonfungible token avatar collection on The Sandbox based on Hilton herself — all dressed in her signature outfits accessorized with headphones, gloves and fairy wings.

Following an allow list mint taking place over the course of this month for the Paris Hilton community plus Sandbox avatar and land owners, the collection becomes available for public mint May 31.

It also features a subset of 11 one-of-one NFTs that come with VIP tickets to Hilton’s concert in Los Angeles Fonda Theater taking place June 7. Looks include a take on a Met Gala gown designed by Marc Jacobs.

“Avatars are central to the metaverse experience,” said The Sandbox co-founder Sebastien Borget in a statement. “Choosing avatars – and kitting them out with new looks – is one of the most fun and creative aspects of play across virtual worlds.”

“11:11 Media’s collaborations with The Sandbox marks a significant leap into a world where virtual and real experiences blend seamlessly,” added Cynthia Miller, Director of web3 and metaverse at 11:11 Media.

Decentralized virtual world The Sandbox has previously partnered with Gucci on a pop-up activation last year. Most recent collaboration is a gamified experience with Singapore-based, global footwear and accessory brand Charles & Keith. Originally slated to run over two weeks in March, the activation highlighting the brand’s hero Petra bag has been extended til May 31 due to its success.

The first two weeks alone saw 23,000 total unique users. To put that into context, the second edition of Metaverse Fashion Week in Decentraland
MANA
racked up just 50,000 visitors in total across multiple brands.