Web3 fashion pioneer Benoît Pagotto passes away, RTFKT founder leaves behind a cultural legacy worth hundreds of millions of dollars

Co-founder of virtual streetwear studio RTFKT, Benoît Pagotto, recently passed away unexpectedly at the age of 41. This pioneering entrepreneur in digital fashion and NFTs, with his foresight, elevated Web3 art onto the international stage, achieving remarkable business success in just a few years.

From Digital Artist to Metaverse Benchmark: How Benoît Pagotto Reshaped the Fashion Industry

In early 2020, Benoît Pagotto co-founded RTFKT with Steven Vasilev and Chris Le, bringing the concept of a Web3 art studio into mainstream awareness. Their virtual sneaker series quickly gained market attention, and they successfully invited industry heavyweights like sneaker designer Jeff Staple and contemporary Japanese artist Takashi Murakami to collaborate, building a bridge between digital fashion and traditional art.

According to DefiLlama statistics, the NFT series “Clone X × Takashi Murakami” launched by Benoît Pagotto in collaboration with Murakami has accumulated nearly $120 million in trading revenue, making it the fourth-highest NFT project in history, behind only Yuga Labs, Azuki, and VeeFriends. RTFKT’s own NFT collection has also achieved a total transaction volume of over $50 million, ranking ninth globally, demonstrating Benoît Pagotto’s deep understanding of art commercialization.

The Business Miracle of NFT Art: RTFKT as a Key Player in Sports Brand Transformation

Benoît Pagotto’s success not only proved the commercial potential of digital art but also attracted the attention of global sports giant Nike. In December 2021, Nike officially announced the acquisition of RTFKT. This merger was seen as a milestone for traditional sportswear giants entering the metaverse and NFT space, marking a significant turning point as Web3 moved from fringe culture to mainstream recognition.

Although Nike announced at the end of 2024 that it would gradually adjust RTFKT’s new business direction, Benoît Pagotto continued to serve as Senior Director of Brand and Partnerships within Nike, continuing to promote digital transformation in the traditional fashion industry.

Industry Mourning: The Sudden Passing of a Low-Key Genius

The news of Benoît Pagotto’s passing was confirmed by multiple industry insiders. Philippe Rodriguez, founding partner of Avolta Partners who provided strategic consulting for Nike’s acquisition of RTFKT, mourned on LinkedIn, describing him as “a creatively rich yet modest entrepreneur, passionate yet rational, inspiring many while continuously drawing inspiration from others,” and emphasized that his departure was “abrupt.”

Another RTFKT co-founder, Steven Vasilev, also posted on X confirming the sad news, stating that the vision, mission, and inspiration Benoît Pagotto imparted to the world would live on forever.

Benoît Pagotto’s Cultural Legacy: How to Continue the Future of Web3 Fashion

Benoît Pagotto’s sudden passing is undoubtedly a significant blow to the NFT and fashion crossover field. This reserved yet talented entrepreneur elevated digital art and brand management onto the international stage in just a few years, bridging the gap between traditional industries and Web3. His pioneering path of NFT art commercialization, collaborations with top designers and artists, and his vision that virtual assets can carry real value will continue to ferment and inspire the industry for a long time.

Industry insiders generally believe that the RTFKT ecosystem established by Benoît Pagotto has become a vital infrastructure in digital fashion. The innovative spirit and business models he left behind will continue to lead the next generation of entrepreneurs to explore the limitless possibilities of Web3 and physical industries.