Sean Anderson of SOL3MATES
Words by Joseph Genest
Images via SOL3MATES (pictured above: SOL3MATES' SIROCCO 1s)
“One of the reasons SOL3MATES started was because designers couldn’t release their own sneakers.” notes Sean Anderson, lead at SOL3MATES, “They had to go work for someone else or get a freelance gig. I always knew it was challenging but this is unique.”
SOL3MATES learned a lot in its first year, establishing a different model for what a sneaker company could look like. Rather than bringing on freelancers or full-time staff to produce shoes for its brand, the team partners with independent designers, enabling the project to be more of a collaboration than a commission.
Launching in 2023, SOL3MATE’s first product was its SOL3MATE OG: a collection of 10,000 NFTs. Even in web3’s down market, the project generated a lot of excitement via its backing by The Chalhoub Group: the largest retailer in the Middle East that brought brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and others to the region. Despite the parent company’s noteworthy relationships, Anderson says that the complexity of sneaker design and manufacturing was a huge hurdle in getting SOL3MATE’s first shoe, the SIROCCO 1, out the door.
Designed by Kacimi Latamene, the SIROCCO 1 features a completely custom-injected EVA mold, which Anderson says took a lot of going back and forth through different iterations, adding to the challenge. Although the first one took a little longer than anticipated, the team says its community and The Chalhoub Group have been super supportive.
“We’re doing something quite different. It’s not just a new sneaker brand- we’re empowering designers which is giving us a bit of extra support from the community and retailers as well.” noting that some retailers are committing to buying the shoes before even seeing them, “which is really rare. Even just a basic t-shirt, buyers want to see the piece in hand.”
In the tongue of the SIRROCCO 1 is an NFC chip provided by ZATAP, which enables buyers to scan the chip and verify authenticity. “If you’ve bought the shoe on StockX or the secondary market, you’re able to track ownership back to the brand, seeing how many people have had the sneaker before you.” The shoe will also come with an NFT representing ownership on the blockchain.
Kacimi Latamene pictured with the SIROCCO 1
Now able to give extra perks to both SOL3MATE OG and SIROCCO 1s NFT owners, SOL3MATES and The Chalhoub Group will be able to learn quite a bit about these customer segments by offering extra discounts and other rewards. As Anderson started as a SOL3MATE OG collector before joining the team, he’s excited to make these events come to life.
With pre-orders available until March 10, the SIROCCO 1 is due out this May. Only 500 pairs are available (250 black, 250 white) via its website. For the rollout, Anderson says it's also partnering with global retailers in Japan, Paris, Qatar, and other fashion hubs for IRL activations. For the first, SOL3MATES is throwing an event with atmos in Tokyo.
As SOL3MATES has the set blueprint with its first drop, expect them to bring in more independent sneaker designers to collaborate with, ushering in a new era that Anderson’s team thinks the industry is overdue for.
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