Happy birthday, Mickey! Here’s how luxury brands are celebrating the iconic Disney mouse
Ninety years ago, Walt Disney put pencil to paper and Mickey Mouse (along with the Disney empire) was born.
The effect Mickey Mouse has had on the world since his debut via Steamboat Willie, a black-and-white animation film released on November 18, 1928, is undeniable.
His impact on the cultural world is immense, having shaped many childhood’s – despite his unnaturally high, squeaky voice.
“When people laugh at Mickey Mouse it’s because he’s so human; and that is the secret of his popularity,” Disney said.
From fashion houses to even a luxury housewares brand, we take a look at how Mickey Mouse is inspiring designers from around the world.
Rag & Bone
The young and hip fashion brand brings New York chic to the world of Disney.
The brand launched a limited-edition unisex collection featuring references to the world’s most famous mouse in a variety of styles and pieces.
Prices for the items, which range from T-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans and shoes, cost from US$150 for a T-shirt to US$2,995 for a coat.
Saint Laurent
While not officially a collaboration effort to celebrate Mickey’s 90th birthday, the fashion powerhouse did create a women’s black long-sleeved buttoned silk shirt with a Mickey Mouse print.
The shirt costs US$1,190.
Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs celebrates the anniversary with a capsule collection featuring abstract Mickey Mouse prints.
The collection, which dropped in late July, includes a skirt, relaxed T-shirt dress, denim jacket and zip-up hoodie.
Prices for the items range from US$295 for the dress, and go up to US$550 for the denim jacket and zip-up hoodie.
Beats
To honour the landmark anniversary, Dr. Dre and Disney are celebrating a key link that they both cherish: music.
The marketing campaign for the Anniversary Edition Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones (US$329.95) uses Walt Disney’s iconic quote, “It all started with a mouse”, as its starting point.
An international line-up of stars is headlining the brand’s marketing strategy: music duo AMIAYA from Japan, rapper Lil Yachty from the US, singer-songwriter Anne-Marie from Britain and actress Zhong Dongyu from China.
Marcel Wanders
Mickey Mouse has established itself as a source of inspiration for many artists, and designer Marcel Wanders is no exception.
The designer pays homage to the character with a limited edition series of sculptures that feature Delft Blue technique.
The sculptures, limited to eight unique pieces, showcase swirling and blue patterns on top of its white coat, and are reminiscent of Wanders’ earlier collection, “One Minute Delft Blue”.
Each sculpture is about 140cm tall and the price is available upon request.
Smeg
Even fridges are given a magical touch this year, over at luxury Italian appliance brand, Smeg.
The company has collaborated with Disney to create a 90-piece limited edition collection based on its iconic FAB28 fridge.
The new FAB28RDMM3 fridge collection showcases a black-and-white illustration of Mickey Mouse stretching upwards to grasp at the fridge door handle.
Bonus: Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress for Minnie Mouse
It’s not just Mickey who is getting all the attention.
Minnie Mouse, long-time girlfriend and better half, also received a fashionable update to her wardrobe this year.
American fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg created a special one-off wrap dress for Minnie to wear to the broadcast of the ABC prime-time special, Mickey’s 90th Spectacular, which was broadcast on November 4.
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Walt Disney’s iconic character, first seen in the cartoon ‘Steamboat Willie’ on November 18, 1928, is inspiring designers around the world