- RTFKT mourns co-founder Benoît Pagotto after his sudden passing.
- Tributes pour in celebrating Pagotto’s creativity and impact on Web3.
- His legacy in digital fashion and art continues to inspire many.
The creative and tech community has been struck by the sudden death of RTFKT co-founder Benoît Pagotto, who passed away at 41. According to a post by Philippe Rodriguez, founding partner at Avolta Partners, Pagotto’s death came unexpectedly. Rodriguez, who described him as a “client and friend,” remembered him as a discreet yet passionate visionary who inspired many.
Tributes Flow from the Web3 Community
RTFKT’s co-founder Steven Vasilev later confirmed the news on X. He noted that Pagotto’s “vision, mission, and inspiration will live on forever,” emphasizing his lasting influence on the Web3 space.
Pagotto helped launch RTFKT in early 2020 alongside Vasilev and Chris Le. The Web3 studio quickly gained attention for merging digital fashion with blockchain technology. It became well-known for its NFT sneakers and collaborations with leading creatives such as Jeff Staple and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.
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Among its biggest achievements was the Clone X × Takashi Murakami project, a 20,000-piece NFT collection that ranked among the most profitable in the industry. According to DefiLlama data, it generated nearly $120 million in lifetime earnings, placing it fourth overall, while RTFKT itself stands ninth with over $50 million.
Nike acquired RTFKT in 2021 and later announced plans to wind down the startup in December 2024. Despite the shift, Pagotto continued his work at Nike as senior director of brand and partnerships, remaining committed to creative innovation.
Former RTFKT CTO Samuel Cardillo also paid tribute, recalling Pagotto as “a unique human being” and sharing that he once raised crows from his apartment windows, a small detail that reflected his eccentric creativity.
A Lasting Impact on Digital Art and Culture
Pagotto’s influence extended beyond RTFKT’s projects. He helped shape how art, technology, and culture intersect in the digital space. His leadership brought together artists and designers to explore new ways of blending fashion and NFTs, setting a precedent for future collaborations.
Benoît Pagotto’s death marks a major loss for the global creative community. His ideas and projects continue to inspire artists, brands, and innovators who share his vision of merging digital and physical creativity.
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