A Tribute To Minnie Mouse, the Greatest Style Icon of All Time
If there’s one thing that fashion loves, it’s nostalgia. (How else can you explain the imminent resurgence of the velour tracksuit and other sins we committed in the early aughts?) But whatever your style, there is one icon that has been an influence on women for decades, and that is Minnie Mouse.
Since she was born in 1928, Minnie has always been a reflection of the hottest styles at the time. Initially Minnie wore a flapper-inspired look, a short dress that showed off her knickers (quelle scandale!) but in the 1940’s, she underwent a makeover that reflected the more conservative mores of the time. Her fitted dress with an A-line skirt and puff sleeves was the quintessential casual look of the decade, alongside the little pillboxes hats that she was prone to wearing when not adorned with a big bow.
The polka dots that sometimes covered her dresses have been in and out of fashion throughout the centuries, but it wouldn’t be out of line to say that Minnie had a hand in bringing them back. When it comes to patterns, polka dots are the most whimsical and carefree, and they certainly have a child-like characteristic about them — it’s no surprise that clowns love them! The design was initially popular in the late 1800′s, and surely it was Minnie’s stylish ways and playful allure that made it the pattern of the 1950’s. The look was the perfect compliment to the “peachy keen, jelly bean” attitude of the wholesome, all-American family. Of course it wasn’t long before the itsy, bitsy, yellow, polka dot bikini came along, which was a harbinger of the 1960s sexual revolution.
And so for almost half a century, the first image of a fashionable female for many (after our mothers, of course!) has been Minnie Mouse. When designers want to make the ultimate timeless wardrobe, they can look to Minnie for her simplicity and her joie de vivre. Similarly for those designers that like to make outlandish statements and put the status quo on its head, remixing Minnie’s look provides an instantly recognizable way to showcase their talents. Mega-influential fashion editors like Katie Grand and Carine Roitfeld, who are known for their cheeky approach to fashion, especially love experimenting with Minnie’s iconic looks, so it’s no surprise that polka dots, mouse ears, and oversized bows, make their rounds down the runway every few seasons. Celebrities like Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry, who are known for going out of their way to establish unique fashion personalities, have also known to dabble in Minnie Mouse-ing, a fail-proof way to make the press rounds, and of course, live out their childhood fantasies for a day.
Over the weekend, The Paper Agency, a Los Angeles-based gallery, showed an interactive fashion and art installation dedicated to everyone’s favorite cartoon character. Minnie Rocks the Dots opened over the weekend replete with a dress designed for the dotted darling. Take a tour or Minnie’s most stylish moments, including her new gown with the famed Project Runway designer.
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