Disney’s magic hits the runway with Coperni at Disneyland Paris. Discover why our fascination with its animated icons is skyrocketing
Disney isn’t just a childhood favourite—it’s fashion’s ultimate playground. And the luxury industry’s obsession with our beloved animated icons has reached dizzying new heights: Disney is now set to sashay down the runway—quite literally. Why, you ask? Because Coperni is bringing its Spring-Summer ‘25 show to Disneyland Paris during the upcoming Paris Fashion Week, making history as the first-ever fashion show to grace the theme park.
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But this is just the latest, and undoubtedly memorable, chapter in a century-long love affair. As The Walt Disney Company marked 100 years of magic last year, more and more of the world’s hottest brands have been diving headfirst into collaborations, infusing the runway with a nostalgic twist.
But let’s rewind a bit, shall we? To celebrate its centennial bash, Disney launched the Disney Create 100 project, inviting world-renowned creatives from fashion, film, music, and art to contribute a special piece or experience inspired by their personal connection to Disney stories and characters. These unique contributions were then auctioned to raise funds for Make-A-Wish. A few standouts? Swarovski’s Global Creative Director, Giovanna Engelbert, designed a jaw-dropping replica of Cinderella’s glass slipper, originally crafted by Swarovski for the 2015 live-action Cinderella film. Selling for $53,560, this masterpiece took over 150 hours of craftsmanship, boasting 221 facets and three crystal pieces in Crystal Blue Aurora Borealis.
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Schiaparelli’s Daniel Roseberry also contributed with a stunning sculptural necklace inspired by Cody’s flight from The Rescuers Down Under, dripping in gold and Swarovski crystals.
Meanwhile, the Karl Lagerfeld brand tipped its hat to Disney’s 100th anniversary with a limited-edition capsule collection, featuring a rare sketch of Donald Duck by the late Karl himself. He reimagined one of his favourite characters in his style—picture jeans, a black blazer, dark sunglasses, and, naturally, the couturier’s signature white ponytail.
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But Disney’s magic didn’t just flicker back to life last year. Even before that, Stella McCartney was channelling the psychedelic vibes of Fantasia in a collection that mixed recycled fabrics with classic characters. Over the years, brands like Miu Miu (2019) and Kenzo (2016) also hitched a ride on the Disney express, crafting iconic looks inspired by cherished characters from films like Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, and The Jungle Book.
And who could forget Givenchy’s love affair with Disney during Riccardo Tisci’s tenure? Long before Tisci turned heads with his “Why Did They Kill Bambi?” piece for Burberry’s Spring-Summer 2019 collection, his Givenchy Fall-Winter 2013 mashup of Bambi and a nude figure was a viral sensation, seen on all the right celebrities. Even after Clare Waight Keller passed the baton, her successor at Givenchy, Matthew M. Williams, embraced a Disney collaboration, featuring Bambi alongside a few of the 101 Dalmatians, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and Frozen’s Anna and Olaf.
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But beyond Bambi, let’s not forget the mouse that started it all: Mickey. From Supreme and Vans to Coach and Comme des Garçons, Mickey Mouse has become the ultimate fashion muse, adorning everything from streetwear to haute couture.
Disney’s magic has also lit up the runway with nods to The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Disney villains, and more, courtesy of fashion giants like Dolce&Gabbana, The Blonds, and Moschino. Even Alessandro Michele, in his Gucci days, couldn’t resist adding a sprinkle of Disney magic to his collections, featuring Donald Duck, Snow White, and other iconic characters.
And now, as anticipated, Coperni will dazzle at Disneyland Paris. Known for show-stopping moments like top model Bella Hadid’s viral spray-on dress, Coperni is ready to deliver a spectacle that blends high fashion with Disney’s legendary fireworks and lights. Coperni’s creative duo, Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, couldn’t hide their excitement on Instagram, quoting Walt Disney: “It all began with a dream…” For them, Disneyland Paris is a dreamscape of inspiration, merging entertainment, emotion, and a dash of magic—just like fashion itself.
Disney’s influence on fashion is undeniable, and as more designers tap into its boundless creativity, one thing’s certain: Disney’s magic and fashion’s flair are a match made in style heaven.
Angelo Ruggeri
Journalist, Master’s Programme Tutor & Fashion Styling Course Leader, Milan