From Rihanna to Gucci to the blockchain, famed fashion photographer Chen Man bets big on NFTs

Chen Man, a person of China’s greatest-profile vogue photographers, is extending her skills to World-wide-web3. 

Today, the polymath released her ‘Citizens of Mantle’ non-fungible token (NFT) selection in collaboration with blockchain challenge Mantle. The token drop is free of charge to mint, and will originally only be available to the early adopters of Mantle’s network. 

The task also introduces the thought of “modular dynamic NFTs” to the market place. It is a new take on the property, which Mantle claims in the drop’s press release will “usher in the upcoming era of interactive NFT experiences” and “redefine the boundaries in between creators and collectors.” 

“A modular dynamic NFT is a non-static asset, indicating that the NFT avatar can evolve in its overall look. With ‘Citizens of Mantle’ specifically, end users get paid exceptional increase-on traits primarily based on their engagement inside of the ecosystem,” Arjun Kalsy, Head of Ecosystem at Mantle tells Jing Daily. “As a selection, it displays the limitless possibilities in the Mantle Ecosystem and serves as a creative manifestation of our ethos of modular blockchain design and token-ruled technologies.” 

Renowned for her function that straddles the worlds of technological innovation, artwork and trend pictures, Chen’s portfolio is expansive. Due to the fact breaking into the fashion pictures scene in 2003, she has shot a quantity of world-wide mavericks, which include Rihanna and Enthusiast Bingbing.

Her operate has also graced the addresses of publications these as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and I-D Magazine, and has collaborated with trend behemoths like Gucci, Chanel, and Tom Ford. 

This is not Chen’s first Internet3 rodeo. The artist is turning out to be effectively-accustomed to the digital space next the accomplishment of her to start with token fall in May possibly this year, which observed Chen workforce up with electro-pop songs artist and metaverse advocate Grimes. 

The collection, “Silent Noise Selection: Episode 01,” aimed to examine humanity’s long term in a earth ever more intertwined with AI.

As photographers come across their groove in the NFT current market, business experts like Chen are dashing to grab a slice of the World-wide-web3 pie. British photographer Nick Knight released his NFT challenge in November previous yr, even though Ellen von Unworth (who shot the NFTs of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Claudia Schiffer in Oct 2021), Shavonne Wong, and Marco Glaviano are also exploring the probable of non-fungible tokens as a new type of expression.

“The inherent vitality of the NFT industry provides alone in the ongoing participation of luminaries like Chen Man and luxury trend residences. Continuing to seize the imagination of artists, collectors and buyers alike, authentic forays by environment-class manufacturers and corporations display a resurgence of the NFT narrative — one that goes past initial hoopla and reveals resilience post-current market correction,” Kalsy says. 

With World wide web3 having keep throughout quite a few sectors, its effects on the entire world of photography has been strong. As other segments like manner grapple with the place electronic belongings match into their game approach, graphic makers have scoped out a golden possibility for innovation in the arts, a prospect that appears set to extend the NFT enchantment.