Facebook parent Meta launching avatar fashion store to sell virtual clothes by Balenciaga, Prada, for real money

Facebook owner Meta Platforms is launching an electronic apparel shop where customers can acquire designer outfits for their avatars, Chief Govt Mark Zuckerberg reported on Friday. 

Digital outfits created by fashion brand names Balenciaga, Prada and Thom Browne will be offered at the avatar vogue retail store for order to start off, reported Zuckerberg, speaking in a live video clip stream with Instagram’s head of manner.

A Meta spokesperson said they would be priced concerning $2.99 and $8.99, much less than the real outfits by individuals designers. Prada’s Matinee ostrich leather-based bag, for illustration, sells for $10,700.

Zuckerberg mentioned he hoped to build the keep out into an open up marketplace the place developers can produce and offer a huge array of electronic garments.

Avatars have emerged as one particular way for Meta to url user identity throughout Facebook, Instagram and its other companies, as it significantly ties the platforms alongside one another and steers toward constructing an immersive “metaverse” of shared, interconnected digital worlds wherever customers can obtain.

Consumers of the company’s digital reality headsets set up avatars to play online video video games, take workout courses and participate in conference calls, although originally the electronic outfits will be available only on Fb, Instagram and Messenger, Meta said in a assertion.

The business redesigned its digital reality avatars previous calendar year to be additional expressive and three-dimensional, then built them obtainable on Fb, Instagram and Messenger starting in January.