A look back at fashion's enduring love affair with Disney

As Opening Ceremony gets ready to stage a show at Disneyland, Sabrina Carder looks at the love - from Givenchy to Gucci - that really lasts a lifetime
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Sabrina Carder18 March 2019

The fashion industry is ever-changing - trends come and go with every new season. But there does seem to be one constant at least: its love affair with Disney.

Ever since the 80s, the faces of Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and their loveable friends have been a popular garment graphic - and decades later, they continue to be a powerful trend that not even Walt Disney himself could have expected.

He might also not have predicted that Disneyland would one day be used as the stage for a fashion show. But this year, it's happening.

New York-based brand Opening Ceremony has already done numerous collaborations with Disney. However, for its next spring/summer 2018 show, it's taking things one step further by hosting the show at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland.

They will be the first to ever brand to hold a runway show at the theme park on March 7 in California, and we're guessing it definitely won't be the last.

Why? Because they're not the only fashion label who love the nostalgia of all things Disney.

Ever since Alessandro Michele took up the reins at Gucci, Disney has been a key feature in his eye-catching designs.

A Gucci design featuring Snow White
AFP/Getty Images

The Italian brand's spring/summer 2018 show saw a number of recognisable faces from Snow White to Snoopy hit the runway. Plus, the designer has previously dedicated an entire capsule collection to Donald Duck.

Moschino's AW15 collection
Getty Images

Over the last decade, Marc Jacobs, Jeremy Scott and Moschino have also put Disney to work in their womenswear collections.

But this isn't just a womenswear trend. In 2011, Dolce & Gabbana brought out a menswear Mickey Mouse collection and in 2014 British designer Bobby Abley showcased several Little Mermaid looks during London Fashion Week.

Bobby Abley's SS15 Men's show
Getty Images

Over the years, Disney designs have even managed to become coveted designer items.

2013 saw Givenchy create AW13’s ‘It’ sweater by juxtaposing an image of Bambi with a naked woman.

Givenchy's iconic Bambi jumper in 2013
Getty Images

The quirky garment became a must-have that season and, despite the £740 price tag, proceeded to be notoriously hard to get hold of.

However, Disney clothing isn't all about kitsch cartoon adornments.

For a more adult aesthetic, Christopher Kane created a sophisticated Beauty and the Beast collection in 2017. Meanwhile, Kenzo designed a vibrant floral collection inspired by everyone's favourite adventure story, The Jungle Book.

Kenzo's Jungle Book-inspired collection
Kenzo

As you can see, the list of designers who take inspiration from Disney is endless.

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