Remember the time when you were just a little kid, munching on cereal while watching your favourite cartoons on the telly? Even after we’ve grown older, we tend to seek objects and experiences which bring us back to the good ol' times. Similarly, fashion brands are also hit hard by the nostalgia bug and continue to release collaboration collections featuring some of the most beloved cartoon characters. Whether you’re a Disney geek or a hardcore fan of Japanese animated films, here are five fashion-meets-cartoon collaborations for you to check out right now.
Gucci x Doraemon
There was plenty to process from Gucci’s #GucciEpilogue 12-hour-long live-stream fashion show which took place on 17 July. For starters, fans and industry insiders were eager to witness the Italian luxury brand’s approach towards staging a fashion show in the midst of a pandemic. Plus, it was also the brand’s first show ever since its creative director Alessandro Michele announced the Italian luxury brand’s decision to reduce their yearly fashion shows from the usual five to two.
The looks from the collection perfectly showcase Michele’s signature kitschy-librarian aesthetic and were modelled by his own team of designers. What caught our attention though, was the brand’s quiet debut of its new ‘Epilogue’ tote featuring motifs of Doraemon to celebrate the adorable cat robot’s 50th anniversary. According to an Instagram post by the brand, the motif depicts Doraemon in a variety of poses and is printed all over the bag, such that it resembles a comic strip. Two words: Totes adorable.
Kith x Looney Tunes
Bugs Bunny as a streetwear icon? Never say never. New York-based retail store and lifestyle brand Kith launched its 80-piece Looney Tunes collection on 13 July to celebrate Bugs Bunny’s upcoming 80th ‘birthday’ on 27 July, and we see the rabbit getting a style upgrade as he sports cool sweaters, beanies and hoodies in the collection’s fully illustrated lookbook.
Apart from the usual staples mentioned above, the collection also introduced Converse Chuck 1970 sneakers which feature Looney Tunes’ graphics on the sides alongside lifestyle items such as home rugs and plushies. As with all highly anticipated collabs, the collection has already sold-out. Better luck next time!
Samantha Thavasa x Winnie the Pooh
We love a good fashion collab as much as Pooh loves his pot of honey, hence we were thrilled to learn about Japanese luxury fashion brand Samantha Thavasa’s new collection with Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, which combines the loveable character with elegant, botanical-inspired art. The leather goods and accessories range launches on 3 August and features soft colours such as mellow yellow, dusty pink and white, along with a pop of red.
Key pieces from the collection include the rucksack shown above, which comes with a mini rucksack charm featuring precious Pooh, as well as the clear iPhone cases, which feature a delicate illustration of Pooh floating in the air with a yellow balloon.
Studio Ghibli’s GBL Hawaiian Shirts
International fans of Studio Ghibli have been well-fed during the past couple of months after the Japanese animation film studio granted Netflix and HBO Max the rights to most of their films, and they are in for another treat as the studio’s GBL brand expands its lifestyle range with the launch of two new Hawaiian shirts and skirts.
The printed pieces from this latest drop are inspired by Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbour Totoro and are perfect for our all-year summer weather. The Kiki’s Delivery Service shirt and matching skirt boast a calming shade of yellow and they feature illustrations of various scenes from the film, while the My Neighbour Totoro shirt and skirt come in vibrant green and blue, and playfully depict the film’s characters hiding among acorns and leaves.
This is not the studio’s first foray into fashion though, seeing that it has collaborated with American brand L.L Bean in launching Totoro tote bags in 2019, as well as recently released its own line of vintage tees inspired by its iconic films back in June.
Skechers x Sailor Moon
Following its successful launch in February, American footwear brand Skechers has teamed up with the folks at Sailor Moon once again for a colourful capsule collection comprising of laidback graphic tees, slides and sandals.
In terms of footwear, each of the slides is adorned with a satin bow and Sailor Moon’s transformation brooch, while the monotone sandals feature either Sailor Moon’s feline friend Luna or Sailor Venus’ guardian cat Artemis. As for the tees, the designs feature Sailor Moon and her squad and are a nod to colourful manga block designs from the ’90s. The collection is now available on Lazada and will be available in selected Skechers concept stores in Singapore in August.
Which childhood cartoon would you love seeing a fashion collab with?
(Cover photos from: @gucci, @samantha.thavasa_official and @kith)
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