In May of this year Disney Parks and Resorts launched the first of 18 monthly limited-release Designer Disney Mickey Mouse Ears created exclusively for them by notable celebrities, fashion labels and artists. The Mickey Ear hats and Minnie Ear headbands range from retro to rococo and yes, they include a hipster version, complete with knit beanie and Wayfarers!
Designer Disney Mouse Ears
The collection introduces signature elements of each collaborator (most of whom have worked with the Disney brand before) to the iconic silhouettes of Mickey and Minnie Ears. For those of you not at the resorts, the mouse hats and ears are also available online here.
Although Disney Parks and Resorts already offer tons of variations on the classic Mouse Ears, these are created especially for Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort and each has the following in common:
• Limited Release
• Deluxe Mouse ear headband or hat
• Comes in Disney Parks Designer Collection display box with magnetic closure and velvet bed
• Part of the Disney Parks Designer Collection
• One size fits most adults
• All man-made materials
• 8 1/2” H x 10 1/2” W (sits 3 1/2” above head)
• Imported
HARVEYS
The first to launch was a collaboration with Harvey’s California, a brand best known for their seatbelt bags and who presently offer a a large collaborative collection with Disney.
The $78 designer Disney Mouse Ears are styled in a Patriotic retro red, white and blue Americana fashion and feature a bow made of seatbelts with the Mickey and Minnie pattern complimented by white stars on blue satin.
HIPSTER
As we alluded to in the headline, one of the upcoming limited releases is a Hipster version by Disney illustrator, character designer and artist Jarrod Maruyama whose Hipster Mickey Vinylmation for Disney is already a coveted collectible if you can find it.
The hat is all-out hipster as it’s topped with a pair of brown life-size reading glasses along with a knit beanie embellished with Mickey’s squeezable, plush nose.
BETSEY JOHNSON
Betsey Johnson’s version with sparkly pink puffy tulle, black sequins and white dots are the next to be available.
COACH:
The COACH collaboration features the Leather Tooled Tea Roses and Rivets you can find on some of their leather goods.
Heidi Klum:
Supermodel, TV host and businesswoman Heidi is shown here wearing a prototype of her bejewelled version available this Fall.
SHAG:
Artist Shag known for his retro Tiki illustrations was the perfect choice to collaborate on this designer version inspired by the park’s Tiki Room.
Noah:
Noah is a fine artist who has a collection of framed prints and giclees available through Disney. For his collaboration, he embellished the Mouse Ears with his vintage illustrations of Mickey and Walt Disney and the quote “It was all started by a mouse” on the backside.
Vera Wang:
Fashion and Bridal Designer Vera Wang used hand-sewn crystals and pearl embroidery with a chapel length veil for her version of the Mouse ears.
Upcoming are a decadent crystal-encrusted ear hat from The Blonds, a mommy-and-daughter set by Cupcakes and Cashmere, another stunning ear headband from American supermodel and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, a version by jewelry designers ALEX AND ANI, one from Loungefly and a design from a galaxy far, far away by Star Wars actress Ashley Eckstein for Her Universe.
Artists from around the world will also expand upon the stories of some of the most beloved characters and attractions in a whole new way. Some designs from other artists in the WonderGround Art Galleries coming out with Designer Mouse Ears are Dave Perillo and John Coulter as well as forthcoming designs by Disney Imagineers Kim Irvine, Kevin Rafferty and Joe Rohde.
Below are the scheduled release dates.
• HARVEYS – May 24th
• Betsey Johnson – Summer 2019
• ALEX AND ANI – Summer 2019
• Noah Fine Art – Summer 2019
• Kim Irvine – Summer 2019
• Her Universe – Summer 2019
• SHAG – Summer 2019
• Jerrod Maruyama – Fall 2019
• Heidi Klum – Fall 2019
• The Blonds – Fall 2019
• Loungefly – Fall 2019
• COACH – Fall 2019
• Joe Rohde – April 2020
• Vera Wang – Spring 2020
• Cupcakes and Cashmere – Spring 2020
• Kevin Rafferty – Spring 2020
• Karlie Kloss – Spring 2020
• John Coulter – Summer 2020
Shop the Designer Disney Mouse ears online here.
image at top courtesy of Jarrod Maruyama
images and information courtesy of The Disney Store, Disney Parks blog, Anthony Marmenia