LONDON – Mickey Mouse and friends have gotten an edgy, surrealist makeover courtesy of Disney’s collaboration with the Indian brand KGL.
Titled “A Dream That Dreamed Itself,” the 114-piece capsule, which drops on May 20, blends KGL’s Indian heritage with brand founder Kanika Goyal’s dreamy childhood memories of Disney cartoons.
“The inspiration came from a mix of memory, travel and cultural archetypes. Of course, there’s my own childhood — growing up with Disney characters, their world so deeply embedded in the collective imagination. But there’s also the vividness of South India, where I remember being struck by a little boy in a bright lungi [sarong-like skirt], and the sheer majesty of temple architecture,” said Goyal.
A distressed denim set from the capsule.
Courtesy of KGL
“There’s a certain poetry in seeing these familiar characters — so rooted in Western pop culture — moving through an Indian landscape shaped by motifs like chili peppers and paisleys, and with temple gates acting as portals,” she said.
The capsule features deconstructed tailoring, upcycled denim, hand embroidery and layered textures. Pieces range from blazers with Mickey Mouse-shaped pockets to lived-in sweaters and heavily frayed denim sets. Pieces even feature abstract prints of Mickey and friends wandering through sci-fi scenery.
The collection includes ready-to-wear and accessories.
Courtesy of KGL
Goyal believes “the characters are instantly recognizable – but they’re not where you’d expect them to be. They’ve drifted far from the clubhouse, now wandering through a surreal, almost extraterrestrial landscape. Comets streak through paisley skies, temple gates open to metaphysical portals, identities blur—was that Mickey or Donald’s shadow?”
While it might nod to beloved childhood moments, these are no kiddie clothes. The capsule’s grunge distressed look makes this Disney collection for the punks and cool kids.
It will be sold on the designer’s site, kglabel.com, with prices starting at 35 pounds.