NFT
Barbie maker Mattel has joined forces with female-led Web3 brand Boss Beauties to introduce a line of on-chain virtual collectibles that celebrate the many careers the iconic toy character has taken since the popular toy first became popular. launched in 1959.
The collection, Boss Beauties x Barbie, features NFTs designed in Boss Beauties’ signature style that pay homage to Barbie’s 250 careers. The first drop includes artists, astronauts, CEOs, doctors, vets, pilots and more.
The collectibles that live on Currentthe NFT-focused blockchain behind it NBA Top shot, goes for $25 for a pack of four. They are not available for purchase in cryptocurrency.
According to Mattel, that low price, combined with an easy checkout process, will lower the barrier to access Web3 for Barbie fans. Boss Beauties has long formulated its mission as one to get the next 1 million women and girls on board in a Web3 world.
“As Barbie continues her journey into the metaverse, we are proud to partner with Boss Beauties to empower women and collectors to explore Web3 through our virtual collection,” said Lisa McKnight, Global Head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel , in a statement.
Early access to the collection begins today. The official launch of the line will take place at Veecon next week, on May 18.
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Distributed among the Boss Beauties x Barbie virtual collectible packs will be NFTs of varying rarity, unlocking certain digital and real-world perks. Each pack contains two “common” cards and one “uncommon” card; the fourth card can be of any rarity level, including ‘super rare’, ‘ultra rare’ and ‘exclusive’.
“Ultra Rare” NFTs, just 0.67% of the stock, unlock a limited-edition Barbie “Career of the Year” doll set; “Exclusive” NFTs, only 0.47% of cards, give the holder a ticket to the immersive “World of Barbie” exhibition currently running in Los Angeles.
The collection also includes undisclosed perks, including additional physical goods made available to holders, and access to virtual career conversations with female leaders in various professional fields. Early access buyers will also receive a surprise virtual collectible with an exclusive career feature that will be revealed in July, the same month the upcoming Warner Bros. Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie, premieres.
This isn’t Mattel’s first foray into Web3; the company previously released a line of Cryptoys last summer, as well as a line of Barbie NFTs made in collaboration with the French fashion house Balmain. While it seems Mattel’s appetite for integrating blockchain-based products with its brands hasn’t waned since last year, its eagerness to associate those products with Web3 native terms may have: The Boss Beauties x Barbie collection will be referred to solely as a series of virtual collectibles, not as NFTs.