NBCUniversal has collaborated with fashion-tech incubator, VARIANT3D, to create limited-edition, custom-knit sweatshirts and beanies inspired by Universal’s Classic Monsters, such as Dracula, Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy and Frankenstein’s Monster.  

VARIANT3D’s knitting technology can produce on-demand, made-to-measure garments directly from its knitting machine, so each product requires less sewing and material waste. 

“The VARIANT3D platform creates custom textiles with zero waste utilizing environmentally conscious fibers,” says Garrett Gerson, chief executive officer, and founder, VARIANT3D. “Each of these products is knit to shape, removing the need for cutting while not losing the high-end artisanal craftsmanship of linking to assemble each garment. VARIANT3D utilizes a digital twin in our software to iterate and rapidly reduce sampling; our products are 98% cleaner and more eco-friendly than today's current product development.” 

The collection includes collectible patches on each item that unlock a free NFT of that character, as well as virtual “try on” Lenses using Snapchat augmented reality and virtual apparel items for the metaverse through Ready Player Me avatars.    

The patches for each monster.

“Fashion is a powerful way of expressing one’s personal identity – both in real life and online,” says Greg Reed, vice president, technology partnerships, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. “This unique collaboration bridges how fans can express their fandom both IRL and through digital fashion experiences. Through Universal Pictures’ partnership with MoonPay and their HyperMint platform for NFTs, combined with this apparel offering through VARIANT3D, and virtual apparel with Ready Player Me and Snapchat, NBCUniversal is able to bring this digital fashion to the masses.” 

As an additional feature, the owner of the physical apparel item can allow their friends to scan the NFC chip to share a copy of the NFT as a proof of attendance (POAP) with each other. Every time the POAP NFT is shared with another person, points are awarded to the physical product owner and tallied on a leaderboard.  

The apparel and digital products are available now; for more information visit UniversalMonsters.Store.