For nearly a century, Disney’s Mickey Mouse has been more than just a beloved character —he’s been a spark of creativity, a source of joy and a canvas for artistic expression for generations.
Growing up outside of Chicago, I first remember seeing Mickey Mouse as part of Disney On Ice. When he appeared, my parents remember seeing my face light up. After all, it’s not every day you see a mouse on ice skates!
That moment ignited my lifelong love for Disney, and I’ve heard countless stories from Disney Consumer Products (DCP) artists who, like me, found inspiration in Mickey Mouse’s timeless appeal and classic charm. It’s inspiring to hear how their connections to this iconic character have taken them from childhood doodles to professional works of art.
The Disney “Mickey Faces” Collection, launching at Uniqlo on February 10, celebrates Mickey Mouse as a global icon and highlights the creativity of Disney artists worldwide.
Keep reading to meet three of the artists who used their unique creativity to bring Mickey Mouse to life in fun and unexpected ways in this new collection.
Nelson Ribeiro
Much like me, Nelson Ribeiro found himself face-to-face with Mickey Mouse 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 “Mickey Faces” design is where his passion for both Marvel and Mickey Mouse collide. 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
For Kaori Matsuo, Mickey Mouse and design have a common purpose: bringing joy and warmth into the lives of others. 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
A small sketch of Mickey Mouse playing tennis has been taped to Catherine Chen’s drawing tablet since her first days at Disney Consumer Products. A gift from a colleague, the tiny drawing became a daily reminder that while Mickey Mouse has been reinterpreted by many generations of artists, 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, paying homage to his origins.
Much like the little sketch she keeps with her every day, Catherine’s “Mickey Faces” design reflects 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 starting February 10 online and at the Uniqlo location in Disney Springs. Be sure to stop by to find your favorite design—you might just discover a whole new way to see Mickey Mouse!