Disney’s favourite mouse is no stranger to fashion runways and retail spaces. Mickey Mouse celebrated his 89th birthday recently, and we cannot help but reflect on his metamorphosis from cultural hero to fashion muse over the years.
Gone are the days when only kids were obsessed with Mickey and the rest of the gang. Cut to the present and adults are swooning over clothes, shoes, and other accessories, that feature and are inspired by the world’s most famous mouse.
“Everyone around the world, irrespective of age, has an affinity for the classic character. Mickey Mouse radiates a fun and optimistic energy, making him the perfect muse for an array of designers. It is also a way for them to make consumers nostalgic and want to sport clothes with their favourite Disney hero on them,” says Divya Maben, a stylist.
According to Kamakshi Kaul, Vice President-Design, Max Fashion, “Mickey Mouse has been a visionary in the 1960s and a global household name loved by everyone irrespective of age or gender. Disney has always been part of the world of style. Those famous ears may never go out of fashion. Bright red tones and ruffled collars have been a favourite through the generations and it’s not very different now.”
Capitalising on the popularity of Disney and its favourite character, over the years, a range of designers and fashion brands have been inspired by Mickey to come up with fashion lines that evoke the quintessential Disney magic. Internationally, Mickey continues to be in high demand with leading brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Elie Saab, Forever21, IZZUE, Vans, NEFF, and COACH, among others. Closer home, the situation is not very different. Indian designers too, have taken him quite seriously.
Now if you’re wondering how to embrace the trend without looking like you’re dressed up for a kiddie costume party, Kamakshi suggests, “Women can sport the trend with delightful button-down shirts, crop tops, tees, sweatshirts, skirts, pyjamas, and plush-soft knit sweaters that feature Mickey’s shoes, gloves or his iconic ears. Men can grab more abstract versions of Mickey with tees and pullovers. One can also choose from a large range of accessories available in the market. Think sling bags, rings, pendants, or Mickey hairbands, for that fun vibe.”
Divya feels, “No matter how you style a piece with Mickey Mouse on it, you end up being reminded of those precious days of childhood. It also lets you bring out your quirkier side without seeming eccentric if and when styled right.”
“A great way for both men and women to re-embrace it would be to style it with your basics. Women could style a simple Mickey Mouse T-shirt with a pencil skirt and some heels or sneakers. Men could sport a cool Mickey Mouse sweatshirt with some distressed denims and white kicks.
If you’d like to edge it up even more, throw on a biker jacket, and you’ve instantly created a cool and fun look that’s going to get everyone’s attention,” she opines. Disney is a significant part of the millennial childhood, making it the perfect throwback trend. Thankfully, designers are giving an adult spin on childhood classics and so if you’re really reconsidering buying that super cute sequinned Mickey inspired sweatshirt you saw on sale, remember Walt Disney’s “Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.”
