100 Years Of Magic!

Our first collection of 2023 is almost here and we can’t for you to see not only what’s in store today but what we’ve got planned for the whole year.

2023 marks 100 Years Of Disney. Disney’s 100th Anniversary ‘Disney 100’ or ‘100 Years Of Wonder’ has already begun with themed merchandise popping up online and in the Disney Parks and the thing that we’re most excited to see; the 100 Years Of Disney Concert! But before we talk about us and what we’ve got coming out this year, let’s go back 100 years…

On October 16 2023. brothers Walt & Roy O. Disney founded what was then named ‘Disney Brother Studios’, an animation studio which would grow bigger than they would have ever imagined. Now more commonly referred to as just ‘Disney’, The Walt Disney Company also operated as Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Productions and quickly grew in popularity and dominated the early animation industry with a character who was recognisable worldwide, Mickey Mouse, but before Mickey was the star that could have been, Oswald The Lucky Rabbit.

Oswald’s original sketches and Mickey’s original sketches show some strong resemblance, this is because Walt Disney & Ub Iwerks, Disney’s then Cheig Animator created Mickey Mouse almost in secrecy as Walt had doubt and fear that Oswald would be lost to none other then Universal. This was because before the ‘Disney Brother Studios’ Disney and Ub founded a company called ‘Laugh-O-Gram’ studios which went bust very quickly, leaving Walt and Ub in an almost vinerable postion, approached by Charles Mintz were asked to create a series of short films using a new character, and this is when Oswald was born. After producing over 20 films for Mintz using Oswald, it was discovered tha neith t Mintz nor Disney didn’t own any of intelectual property rights of the Oswald film but that Universal Pictures themselves who Mintz had the films made for on their behalf, and since a contract was signed, after requesting more money for his films Walt was back to square one and as a final blow Mintz also signed four of Walt’s animators to his own company, but as mentioed already that’s when Mortimor came in.

That’s right, Mickey was originally named Mortimer, it was in fact Walt’s wife who said to change his name, so we’ve got Oswald the star the could have been and Mortimer the star that never was, and from there on, well, the rest is history…

After decades and decades of classic movies, Snow White, Peter Pan, Dumbo, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, and dozens more before we even hit the year 2000, Disney had it’s rise and fall just like every company does, but it’s after the year 2000 where we saw the growth we know Disney as today.

Aquiring Pixar in 2003 after nearly a decaded working in collaboration. Marvel in 2009, Lucas Film in 2012, and the now 21st Century Fox in 2019 followed by the launch of Disney+ too.

And I’ve not even mentioned the Disney Parks, Disney at the theatre, almost in the past Disney stores, the Disney vault, the Disney highs, the Disney lows and everything in between, so we’ve got a whole lot of blogging to do this year!

To celebrate Disney’s 100 Years Of Wonder, we’re releasing what is the start of our 100 Years of Magic collection, a collection which will grow over the weeks and months with more and more releases dropping throughout the 100 Years of Disney celebration, launching today we’ve got two jumpers with the option of tie dye and back prints, some joggers and a rain coat!

All items are able to feature our ‘100 Years of Magic’ text and design. Our design ultimately tries to represent the growing animation and divisions of Disney we have seen throughout the last 10 decades and films / moments that we love the most.

Feautred Icons: Steam Boat Willie Wheel, Minnie / Daisy’s Bow, Mickey’s Sorcerers Apprentice Hat. Cinereallas Glass Slipper, Sleeping Beauty’s Crown, Mary Poppins Umberella. Winnie The Pooh’s Honey Pot, The Pumkpkin King Himself, Andy’s Cloud Wallpaper from Toy Story, Wall-E / Eve’s Plant Boot, A snowflake from Frozen & Captain America’s Sheild.

Launching tonight January 20th 2023, 6pm UK time. This is just the beginning.