Dezeen Magazine

Kelly Hoppin Mickey Mouse

Kelly Hoppen reimagines Disney's Mickey Mouse for "grown-up" audience

Interior designer Kelly Hoppen has created a life-size statue of Disney's iconic cartoon character Mickey Mouse, which she has adapted to suit a "grown-up" audience.

Created for French "pop sculpture" company Leblon Delienne, Mickey Mouse stands at 140 centimetres tall. He features a black and taupe body with gold ears.

Intended for a "clientele of collectors and design enthusiasts", the sculpture provides a contemporary reimagining of Disney's beloved character in Hoppen's signature neutral colour palette.

Kelly Hoppen Mickey Mouse

"Mickey is a universal character with an optimistic outlook," said Juliette de Blegiers, president of Leblon Delienne.

"Everyone has a special relationship with him. He can become very contemporary when imagined in different colours, declensions and finishes," she continued.

Kelly Hoppen's Mickey to appeal to adults

Available in a limited run of 99 copies, the sculpture has a neutral colour palette, intended to appeal to adults. His body is made of resin and coated with matte paint. His ears feature a chromed gold finish.

"Mickey Mouse is suited to all ages and the life-size version was done in the matte black I believe is an extremely great art piece that works in every space," Hoppen told Dezeen.

"As a sculpture, he has a very impressive presence. The limited edition of Mickey customised by Kelly in her neutral colour palette taupe and black will appeal to all ages," said De Blegiers.

"It retains its childish charm by bringing a touch of chrome gold on the ears," she added.

Mickey added to Leblon Delienne's range 

The pieces were handmade in the Leblon Delienne workshop in Normandy, France. Leblon Delienne specialises in products based around well-known characters and series – everything from Mickey Mouse sculptures to homeware based on Alice in Wonderland's tea party.

Recent projects include a series of superhero-themed coat hangers by Constance Guisset and a table based on Star Wars character Princess Leia's trademark buns.

Hoppen has also designed a range of bespoke Mickey Mouse-themed rugs for Persian rug specialist Essie, and a series of wallpapers and murals for Graham and Hoppen.

When she's not celebrating the legacy of Mickey Mouse, the Johannesburg-based designer is creating interiors. Earlier this year, she designed 1,500 suites inside a cruise ship.