I’ve always been inspired by Mickey and wanted to present a fresh take on his character. Both Mickey and our Runaway Girl have an inherent sense of adventure, so the collection is a nod to the heritage of both Karen Walker and Disney.
KAREN WALKER
To celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday, it-designer Karen Walker has teed up with Disney to create a limited edition range of clothing, accessory and homeware pieces.
The capsule range encompasses a selection of Mickey-inspired t-shirts, sweatshirts, statement glasses and jewellery as well as a number of kitschy home pieces.
Available from today, the Disney x Karen Walker collection embraces the fun-loving and adventurous spirit that has come to characterise both the iconic Disney character and the New Zealand born designer.
“When Disney approached us to help celebrate Mickey’s 90th, it was an immediate and unequivocal yes,” Karen reveals.. “Mickey is a true icon and it’s a great honour for me to have an opportunity to interpret his personality, which I’ve always loved, through my own lens.”
“I’ve always been inspired by Mickey and wanted to present a fresh take on his character,” she continues. “Both Mickey and our Runaway Girl have an inherent sense of adventure, so the collection is a nod to the heritage of both Karen Walker and Disney”.
Senior Vice President and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Kylie Watson-Wheeler adds; “Mickey’s 90th is a global celebration of Mickey’s heritage, personality and status as a pop-culture icon and we are delighted that Karen Walker is collaborating with us to mark this special occasion.”
Alongside Mickey emblazoned sweatshirts and t-shirts, the line also features a selection of bespoke pieces starring such Disney favourites as Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck.
Eyewear for the collection comes in four Mickey and Minnie Mouse-inspired styles, including a metal-trimmed, polka dot bow lens in sheer soft pink or black, acetate and metal frames that artfully incorporate mouse ears and hands, and coloured acetates trimmed with cartoon Minnie eyelashes. Each pair is finished with the signature Karen Walker arrow temple.
Fine jewellery in sterling silver and 9 carat yellow and rose gold sees Mickey as a delicate outline pendant and marching within a small disc.
Other items in the collection include a commemorative crockery- style plate and double-sided Mickey and Minnie mugs, spottykey rings, dusty pink totes, enamel badges, and a playful filigree- embossed pink purse and backpack.
A one-off Disney pop-up store will also open at Playpark by Karen Walker in Auckland on Wednesday, 7 November with the full Disney x Karen Walker collection, as well as a curation of other special 90th birthday collaborative collections, ranging from footwear, hats and watches to stationery, oven mitts and egg cups.
The Playpark experience and pop-up store is inspired by Karen’s own visits to Disneyland. She made her first trip to Disneyland as an excited seven-year-old and has been back several times since, most recently with her own daughter, Valentina. “I love the full Disney experience you get when you visit the parks and I wanted to give a little bit of that magic in my own store this Christmas,” Karen says.
Visit: https://www.karenwalker.com