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The NY-based label is aiming to uplift in these trying times with a collaboration between Disney and Keith Haring, one of the most influential artists of the 1980s.
A testament to American pop culture, Coach’s latest capsule collection sees an unexpected collaboration between world-beloved Disney and 80s art-icon Keith Haring. Providing us with some much-needed emotional relief amid widespread uncertainty, intermittent lockdowns, and the inevitable doom scrolling we’ve become far too accustomed to recently, the kitschy line is doing everything to uplift – and it’s most certainly succeeding.
On the back of what’s been a whirlwind year for fashion, during which we’ve witnessed Balenciaga launch a videogame (I was as surprised as you are), people dressing up to take the bins out, and a slew of creative individuals partaking in the #HomeCouture trend, Coach could not have dropped at a better time.
As we approach the end of 2020 and accept that the traditional seasonal structure of fashion has been thrown off balance for good, what with a complete absence of fashion weeks and all, Coach is seeing us out with one last hurrah, spotlighting two bonafide icons in the process.
One of the most influential artists of the 1980s, Keith Haring developed his practice throughout a period of major social change and, as a result, became widely renowned for his activism. Using art as his medium to express strong political statements, his oeuvre continues to inspire. After the transformative year we’ve just had, I’d say his designs are rather fitting indeed too.
Though you’ve likely seen pieces of his graphic, vibrant work previously, his never-before-released reimaginings of Mickey Mouse (to be featured on a range of bags, jackets, sweatshirts, and totes) are bound to warm the cockles in even the deepest recesses of our hearts, despite the best efforts of 2020.
‘Sometimes the best design comes from the most unlikely juxtapositions, and I can’t think of a cultural clash that brings me more joy than these two,’ explains creative director, Stuart Vevers. ‘Ahead of its time when it was first made, this art feels so timely today as we can celebrate and appreciate the diverse work of great creators whoever they may be, without social boundaries.’
It’s in this respect that the collab is a toast to both American pop culture and, more importantly, the values that Disney and Keith Haring held dear: that art should be for everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, location, or status.
