Disney x Gigi Burris
The Story Behind the Collection

In celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday, Gigi Burris puts her own spin on the American icon, creating a collection that honors Mickey Mouse’s timeless style and color palette.

Raised in Central Florida with Walt Disney World essentially in her backyard, Burris was transfixed by Mickey Mouse from a young age—his unmistakable ears shaping more than just an unforgettable character, but also the dreams of a young, creative spirit.

As a renowned milliner, Burris possesses a rare talent for taking the old and making it new, using centuries-old techniques to handcraft one-of-a-kind pieces that are all locally made in New York City. Her inventive approach that looks forward while paying homage to the past is just one of many reasons Burris was the perfect choice for this collaboration.

The first place that Burris draws inspiration is the top of Mickey Mouse’s head—the ears that have become as recognizable as the mouse himself. Burris plays off this silhouette in her Icon Cap, which comes in red, yellow and black. Now three dimensional, this innovative piece is a wearable sculpture.

The Icon is a limited edition drop with 30 hand-numbered pieces per color. 

“I wanted to create a forward-thinking take on the ears that looks as welcome at Walt Disney World as it would on the streets of New York,” Burris explains.

For a more classic silhouette, Burris creates a black and red fedora, in line with a popular style from the year of Mickey Mouse’s inception, 1928. For this piece, the ears appear as subtle, black circles that add interest to the crown of the hat.

Mickey’s black and white beginnings are referenced in an elegant veiled headband that features hand-applied sequins and Swarovski crystals on ears formed from hand-tacked French veiling. To emphasize Mickey’s natural charm, Burris individually places a pattern of Swarovski gunmetal pearls and red crystals onto a luxe, gunmetal headband in the shape of his ear silhouette.

Another headband is plated in 14 karat gold—a simple and chic way to portray Mickey’s hairline. “As a hat maker, I was drawn to what shapes Mickey’s face—the dramatic widow’s peak that punctuates his every expression.”

While Mickey’s ears are his trademark, the mouse has never shied away from headwear. He has always selected just the right topper to complement his most memorable looks. Burris was particularly impressed by the captain’s hat Mickey wore in his debut film, Disney’s Steamboat Willie, as well as the square brimmed hat he donned as a conductor in Disney’s The Band Concert.

These references are alluded to in the form of a lambskin leather Fisherman’s hat, featuring Mickey’s signature white buttons and a subtle nod to his hairline stitched in white thread on the top of the cap.

A cheery, red, square-brimmed hat is a modern update to the classic baseball cap, complete with three Disney x Gigi Burris pins—Mickey tipping his boater hat, the classic ear icon, and an “M” for Mickey.

This moment harkens back to the days when Burris, like many others, would leave Walt Disney World with a plethora of Mickey Mouse souvenirs and memories of another special day spent with the beloved mouse.

Each piece in the collection embodies what Burris and people everywhere love about Mickey Mouse—his playful mischief, joy, style and, of course, his ability to make you smile.