Designers are known for getting their inspiration from surprising sources, but one of the most unlikely muses in fashion has got to be Mickey Mouse. Both Mickey and his coy consort Minnie feature in several new collections this season, from costume baubles to high jewellery. In fact Walt Disney himself worked with Salvador Dalí, Charlie Chaplin and Roald Dahl, and his company has been expanding its product base for decades, redefining the idea of high/low cultural collaborations.
In recent years, D&G, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Iceberg, Neil Barrett, Manish Arora, Hayden-Harnett, noted for handbags and accessories, and Italian ready-to-wear line Pinko, along with furniture maestros Cappellini and Cory Grosser have all also partnered with Disney. Castelbajac has used images from 101 Dalmations for its current autumn/winter collection.
A seriously “haute” hook-up comes from high-end jeweller and red carpet favourite Chopard. In October it will launch a new Mickey Mouse-inspired collection that will include watches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and writing instruments, all encrusted with diamonds and other gems. They will range in price from €30,000 to €150,000. And the demand is certainly out there: one Mickey medallion has already been prepurchased.