Having more than an exceptional history of a Burbank-based Disney’s biggest star, starting back in 1928 in the short Steamboat Willie, ‘Mickey Mouse’ – is all about history, timelessness and more. A star not only in cartoons and amongst the kids but also in the fashion world, thanks to his ageless image, Mickey is known to be one of the most licensed characters ever by endless brands overtime, and now it’s time to bring him back with a bang…
Even though Mickey has never gone out of the picture, being featured in one collection or the other somewhere in the world consistently, he is now here to witness his moment of fashion, yet again after almost three decades of fashion. An icon of the 1980’s, with Disney jumping onto the aerobics trend then and releasing their first exercise album Mousercise that turned into a success, followed into Mickey finding him being featured in one of the first Disney Channel original TV series, Mousercise in 1983. Being a favourite of almost everybody at that time, one could find him on colouring books, special events in Disneyland and on aerobic clothing that spread like a rage.
Eventually growing out of the trend, along with the popularity of the show, the whole Mickey fever slowly faded away in the late ’80s, but nevertheless turned him into a legend. And now, as the fashion cycle re-witnesses the comeback of the 80’s era, with almost everything from that period making a revised appearance, it’s even Mickey who is happily hanging back on the windows, starting from the thrift shops the world over.
“I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing, that it was all started by a Mouse.” – Walt Disney
But not only it’s all about retro, the sudden frenzy is also an outcome of Disney bringing back Mickey Mouse for TV, web and app in 2013. In an attempt to revive the character, soon to be launched are 19 2D cartoon episodes on the Disney Channel as well as online at Disney.com, which will be a growing hype globally starting from the month of June, making a lot of adults relive their childhood now. “Over time we thought that maybe Mickey lost some of those impish or innocent qualities, that vitality which people once saw in him. So we decided to bring him back,” said Bob Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Co.’s who also stated that the shorts harking back to the days of founder Walt Disney, highlighting Mickey’s playful qualities.
So gone are the days, when Mickey was all about kids and children’s wear as at the moment, be it the high fashion brands like Marc, or the low cost local brands and the high street brands like Forever 21, it’s becoming cooler to pair a Mickey Mouse T-shirt or sweat shirt with a chic skirt. Realizing the trend in time, the runways have been smart enough to showcase Mickey well in advance, for the industry to follow the lead.
Realizing the trend in time, the runways have been smart enough to showcase Mickey well in advance, for the industry to follow the lead. Appearing in the collection of Meadham Kirchhoff for Spring/Summer 2013, the designer’s use of the cartoon imparted the right inspiration for his whimsical, colour-wonderful approach to design, to begin with. Following was the range by Marc Jacobs who took a sophisticated approach to portray Mickey in a more old school black and white collection printed right on a cropped top. Not only the designers, but the fashionistas have been quick enough to sport the trend on the streets of Paris, as a Mickey Mouse T-shirt worn with a prim and proper high waisted skirt. Claiming yet another season, this time at the men’s runways for Fall 2013-14, the collection of Comme des Garçons, had Mickey inspired styling in hats which featured Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny ears, showcasing the indomitable pride of cartoon characters in clothes.
So gone are the days, when Mickey was all about kids and children’s wear as at the moment, be it the high fashion brands like Marc, or the low cost local brands and the high street brands like Forever 21, it’s becoming cooler to pair a Mickey Mouse T-shirt or sweat shirt with a chic skirt. Making popular rounds in news is also the brand Silvian Heach based in Italy, which targets teenagers and young women who want to look sexy yet stylish, selling many Disney character T-shirts such as ones of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, making the trend a hit giving it a fashionable makeover than a childish one.
Considering the fact that sporting a Mickey T-shirts can be suddenly new for a lot of people as the look has been a classic, manufacturers should keep in mind that it is the demand of the character which will unexpectedly increase in times to come, with the trend easily moving onto different silhouettes as well. Having it in the form of prints, a motif or a collection in a Mickey Mouse colour palette for red, blue, yellow and white can be some ideas that can be explored creatively in even shorts, skirts, tops and headgears. The key is to give Mickey either a stylish makeover that is completely contemporary, or to bring back the original 80’s feel to him, either way to make him turn into a style icon for adults.
