"HIGH END" MICKEY MERCHANDISE--THIS JUST ISN'T RIGHT

[tertullian]

Here's a quote from an article titled, "HOUSE OF MOUSE COUTURE", which appeared in the Business section of today's(Wednesday, October 11, 2006) Los Angeles Times:

"A thermal shirt sold at Fred Segal features "Pimp Mickey"
complete with a gold-studded chain, rhinestone-rimmed
glasses and a fedora."

Now look, I want Disney Consumer Products to be very successful and to make a lot of money from merchandise featuring their library of wonderful characters, but the above-mentioned example of the company's attempt to tap into a more adult and sophisticated market just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. In the past, this sort of apparel is something one would find only as a "knock-off" sold at flea markets or shops on Melrose Avenue in L.A., not at Downtown Disney! Mickey Mouse and all of the Disney characters deserve better.

[Geezil]

Had you read that article down to the next-to-last paragraph? Quoting here (and emphasis mine):

"Although Pimp Mickey isn't at Vault 28, that's the vibe the store is pursuing."

[tertullian]

Had you read that article down to the next-to-last paragraph? Quoting here (and emphasis mine):

"Although Pimp Mickey isn't at Vault 28, that's the vibe the store is pursuing."

Thank you, Geezil, I stand corrected. It's the second part of the above sentence, though, that still has me somewhat concerned: "...that's the vibe the store is pursuing." Look at the front page of the Business section, and you'll see a photograph of an actual shirt available for purchase at the Vault 28 store at Downtown Disney featuring a "Skull and Crossbones Mickey" pattern, which is obviously aimed at the teenage market. Even if this sort of merchandise is successful sales-wise, I think in the long-term it will hurt Disney. It simply cheapens the characters that are portrayed in that way.

[nickramer]

If you think that T-shirt is bad, you should see the Tomy(who also did the great Magical Collection action figures with obsure characters) figures called Coordes from Japan that has Mickey with occupations like a punk!:eek:

[tertullian]

If you think that T-shirt is bad, you should see the Tomy(who also did the great Magical Collection action figures with obsure characters) figures called Coordes from Japan that has Mickey with occupations like a punk!:eek:

I just found images of the "Gangsta Mickey" and "Punk Mickey" toys at a couple of different websites.................I'm speechless. I was disappointed in WB when they decided to dress Bugs and his pals in gang attire, but I never thought Disney would go down that path.

[cpdavison]

http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/FR/TNKS/TNKSHM/newpro/photo/0606291.jpg

Is THIS what's causing the ruckus?

[Thad]

I'll say this, Pimp Mickey is gonna have one heck of a pimp hand! Look out Minnie!