Mickey Mouse is one of fashion's most enduring stars - he's appeared on catwalks and as the subject of capsule collections and collaborations more than most top models. Since his creation in 1928, the pop culture icon has become a fashion motif and muse for designers and celebrities alike. Upon the arrival of a Markus Lupfer x Disney collaboration, we look at some of Mickey’s best fashion moments from kitsch accessories to his subversive punk makeover.
1980s
Jean Charles de Castelbajac first brought Mickey into the fashion spotlight when he oversaw Iceberg in the 1980s. Pioneering cartoon-couture, Castelbajac sparked in motion fashion's love affair with Micky with his knitwear. Since then, Mickey regularly makes an appearance in the collections of both Castelbajac and Iceberg.
1990s
Just as Christina, Britney and Justin joined The Mickey Mouse Club, the '90s saw Mickey emblazoned on everything from dungarees to sweatshirts to swimwear. A rummage today in vintage stores will unearth many a t-Shirt featuring Mickey's face.
2004
Mickey looked set to continue his fashion journey through the noughties, as Paul Smith, Lulu Guinness and Bella Freud celebrated his 75th birthday by dressing Mickey mannequins at Selfridges. He also made an appearance on the catwalks of D&G AW04 and Marc Jacobs SS13.
2009
2009 was the year of the Mickey Mouse ears. The Jeremy Scott mouse helmet (he also made a coat out of the infamous white gloves in 2010), the elegantly poised Moschino Cheap & Chic ears and the My Mickey Ears project saw an explosion of designer interpretations.
2014
On the catwalk, the celebrity mouse has been punked up and fetishised by designers Katie Eary and Bobby Abley. Katie Eary’s AW14 collection saw oversized plastic heads, paired with punk hair, Mickey harnesses and digitally morphed mouse t-Shirts. Bobby Abley joins Katie Eary in subverting ideas about Disney using the famous Disney font and Mickey gimp masks within his AW14 collection.
2015
Mickey’s gloves have also caught designers imaginations. Anya Hindmarch has this year released a collection of leather stickers including a thumbs up from Mickey himself.
In tribute to Mickey’s other-half, designer Ashley Williams has created a Minnie Mouse bucket hat for the A Minnie Style exhibition that kicks off in September as part of London Fashion Week, curated by Georgia May Jagger.
And now following in the footsteps of Comme Des Garçons and Opening Ceremony, Markus Lupfer is the next designer to collaborate with Disney. Drawing inspiration from the Disney archive, Mickey's created in sequins across t-Shirts and sweaters. The collection is available now from Net-a-Porter, Selfridges, Harrods, Bloomingdales and the Markus Lupfer online store with pieces starting at £210.
Text by Hannah Downes
