For close to 100 years now, Mickey Mouse has been so much more than just a beloved character. He has always been a source of joy, inspiring creativity and artistic expression for generations.
The Disney “Mickey Faces” Collection will launch at Uniqlo in Disney Springs on February 10, inspired by Mickey himself. The collection celebrates Mickey Mouse as a global icon, highlighting the creativity of Disney artists around the world.
The three artists introduced below used their unique creativity to bring Mickey Mouse to life in this new collection.
Nelson Ribeiro
Nelson Ribeiro first encountered Mickey Mouse face-to-face as a child. One of his earliest Disney memories is finding Mickey Mouse on the Tomorrowland bridge in Magic Kingdom. “For that brief moment, it was just me and Mickey Mouse talking about cartoons,” he recalled. That magical encounter stayed with Nelson, demonstrating the world-changing power of imagination and propelling him into a career with DCP.
Now a Senior Graphic Designer supporting Marvel in the United States, Nelson infuses his work with that same imagination. As a father, he’s rediscovering Mickey Mouse through the eyes of his 3-year-old daughter, Amália, whose love for “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” fills their home. “Mickey Mouse, Toodles, and the rest of the clubhouse feel like family,” he explained. Nelson’s passion for both Marvel and Mickey Mouse collide in his “Mickey’s Faces” design. Drawing inspiration from the action-packed style of classic Marvel comics and the joy Mickey Mouse brings to his family, Nelson created a vibrant tribute to Mickey Mouse, reflecting his belief that storytelling—whether in comics or cartoons—has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.
Kaori Matsuo
As a Lead Artist with DCP in Japan, Kaori’s love for Mickey Mouse is connected to her passion for art. She was inspired to become a designer because of countless hours watching classic Disney cartoons like “Magician Mickey” — a tradition she continues to cherish. “I think he’s wonderful,” Kaori said when reflecting on Mickey Mouse.
When designing for the Disney “Mickey Faces” collection at Uniqlo, Kaori wanted to create a piece that would seamlessly fit into people’s lives while bringing a touch of extra happiness. “I wanted to enrich the hearts of those who see it,” she explained.
Kaori’s design is heartfelt in a unique and unexpected way. “The goal was for the elements in this design to come together subtly, forming Mickey’s shape only when viewed as a whole,” she explained. Kaori’s design is a reflection of how something familiar can be reimagined into something new and timeless—just like the personal connections we all have with Mickey Mouse.
Catherine Chen
Since her early days at Disney Consumer Products, Catherine Chen has had a small sketch of Mickey Mouse playing tennis taped to her drawing table. The sketch, a gift from a colleague, has served as a daily reminder that while many generations of artists have reinterpreted Mickey Mouse, his spirit remains unchanged. Now, as a Senior Designer primarily supporting Mickey and Friends in the United States, Catherine is adding her digital-age twist to his legacy.
For the Disney “Mickey Faces” collection at Uniqlo, Catherine merged nostalgia with technology, drawing inspiration from early computer graphics. “I drew heavy inspiration from ’90s, early-Macintosh era computer GUI’s and their almost cross-stitch-like pixel graphics,” she explained.
Just as Mickey Mouse’s history has evolved from hand-drawn sketches to digital art, her design layers pixelated patterns with flowers, blending the mechanical with the natural. Hidden within the design is even a special tribute—the number “1928” scattered amongst the code on his ear pays homage to his origins.
Much like the little sketch she keeps with her every day, Catherine’s “Mickey Faces” design demonstrates how artists continue to reinterpret Mickey Mouse in new and unexpected ways — blending the past with the present while keeping his spirit unmistakably original.
The Disney “Mickey Faces” Collection will be available beginning on February 10 online and also at the Uniqlo location in Disney Springs. Discover a whole new way to see Mickey Mouse when you stop by searching for your favorite design.
Do you like how the artists have used their creativity to bring Mickey Mouse to life?