Opening Ceremony designers talk about duo’s Disney line
Mickey Mouse, the beloved cartoon character created by Walt Disney, is turning 90.
His milestone birthday is being celebrated by the fashion world with several collections and collaborations, including one by the brand Opening Ceremony. We caught up with designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon to chat about the magic of Mickey Mouse, their celebratory collection fashion show at Disneyland and their upcoming event in Vancouver.
Q How did this collection featuring Mickey Mouse come about?
A We are from California and were lucky enough to have our families take us to Disneyland when we were children. (It) started was a lifelong passion for Mickey and all the creations that have come out of Disney.
Our relationship with Disney began years ago with our first project with the Muppets for Fashion’s Night Out, and has since grown throughout the years.
When Disney approached Humberto and me to celebrate Mickey’s 90th anniversary, we were so excited to create something together that was truly special for our beloved mouse.
Q What does Mickey Mouse mean to you?
A Mickey is timeless and represents pure joy, fun, and magic to us, when we were kids and now as adults and parents. He and his fabulous friends have always held a nostalgic place in our hearts.
Q You showed the collection at Disneyland. What was that like?
A It was a dream come true, a show that will always make us smile when we think back on it. Humberto and I have created and produced many shows
through Opening Ceremony and Kenzo, and while none of them was formulaic by any means, our show with Disney at Disneyland was truly unique. We could see the audience having a genuinely fun time from beginning to end. And so did we. Our show at Disneyland reminded us how important it is to really enjoy what we do. Also, Disney had never closed the park off to create a fashion show like this before, so it was truly a momentous occasion.
Q And how did people respond to that experience?
A The response was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging.
Q Who is this collection for?
A It’s for people who love to have fun with colour and prints, who appreciate Mickey and his story, who enjoy making a bold statement through fashion.
Q Which design is your favourite and why?
A My personal favourite is the black faux fur Mickey jacket. It’s such a fun statement piece, perfect for the fall weather.
Q You’re coming to Vancouver to launch the capsule collection exclusively at Holt Renfrew. What makes this market a good fit for the launch?
A We’re so excited to be in Vancouver. It’s such a vibrant, beautiful city with an appreciation for culture and the outdoors, so it definitely feels like the perfect place for Opening Ceremony to host a celebration.