A Complex History of Muppets in Fashion

Image via Complex Original

With a new movie in theaters today, all eyes are back on Jim Henson's most famous creations, The Muppets. At the helm of the new film is Jason Segel, who is striving to make the '70s puppets relevant and modern.

Considering Gonzo, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang are primarily composed of fabric, combined with their kid appeal, it's a no-brainer to slap their recognizable faces on a bunch of merchandise and start hawking it. But a funny thing happened during their rise to pop culture stardom — they started developing celebrity lives.

No strangers to parody, muppets have been depicted in fake ads poking fun at brands like Calvin Klein and Victoria's Secret. Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger have also received shout-outs on the show and in the 1997 book spoof Miss Piggy's Rules. The Muppets' unaging nature and iconic status have made them ideal for plenty of fashion designers and brands to showcase their wares in a unique yet recognizable way. In addition, they've also been involved in some capsule collections for both fast-fashion retailers and more luxurious boutiques. Here's a rundown of the most memorable. Check out The Complex History of Muppets in Fashion.

Z!NK Magazine

Year: 2005
Characters: Miss Piggy, Kermit The Frog

This 2005 editorial for Z!NK depicts Miss Piggy in a variety of costumes where she sports nOir jewelry, Jason Wu, and Jeremy Scott gear, among others. Kermit appears dressed up in Armani and Roman Kapadia.

H&M

Year: 2005-2011
Characters: Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Grover, Oscar The Grouch

Starting in 2005, Swedish retailer H&M had a license to produce store-exclusive apparel with the faces of Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy on it. This ranged from underwear, slippers, and hoodies, with some cool T-shirts for guys. Their childrens' line would later include characters from Sesame Street. 

Fashion Week

Year: 2005-2011
Characters: Miss Piggy

In the new film, Miss Piggy purportedly portrays a plus-size editor for French Vogue. No, we're not making this up. It's a role we think she's been doing years of research for. Since 2005, the muppet's been making regular appearances at New York Fashion Week, and even one during London Fashion Week, where she attended the Julien McDonald show. She's kicked it with Marc Jacobs, was recently spotted chilling at the Ace Hotel when the Muppets x Opening Ceremony line dropped, and as evident by the above photo, sits next to Damon Dash in the front row at shows. Damn girl, we didn't know you had it like that.

Adicolor

Year: 2006
Characters: Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy

When Adidas re-launched their Adicolor concept from the '80s, they mined pop culture icons from that era for the "Colour Series." Amongst shoes and athletic gear decided to Betty Boop and Tron, Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy each got their own shoe and track jacket. Sure, it's not easy being green, but it is easy to make some if you're a muppet.

Supreme

Year: 2008
Characters: Kermit The Frog 

Supreme enlisted photographer Terry Richardson to photograph Kermit The Frog as part of a campaign that not only included a range of merchandise, emblazoning the muppet's likeness on a series of skate decks, T-shirts, and a Medicom Kubrick toy, but also posters that were wheatpasted around the city.

Harper's Bazaar

Year: 2009
Characters: Big Bird, Oscar The Grouch, Bert and Ernie, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Grover, Elmo, Cookie Monster

In this August 2009 editorial, Harper's Bazaar paired fashion designers like Derek Lam, Thakoon Panichgul, and Vera Wang with Sesame Street characters. Our favorite? Oscar de La Renta and Oscar The Grouch. It just makes sense.

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

Year: 2009
Characters: Kermit The Frog, Animal, Fozzie Bear

German designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac is known for getting weird in his clothes. Normally, his Fall 2009 collection would probably have gone unnoticed by the masses — until Lady Gaga was spotted in the Kermit The Frog jacket later that year. 

Adidas Originals

Year: 2011
Characters: Animal, Fozzie Bear, Kermit The Frog, Gonzo

Revisiting a past collaboration just in time for the new film, this collection of sneakers reflects the characters via design. Animal's shoe has the studded collar as a removable strap, Kermit's shoe has his signature collar, while Fozzie and and Gonzo both have fur lining on the inside. 

nOir Jewelry

Year: 2011
Characters: Animal, Miss Piggy, Kermit The Frog

This recent capsule collection from nOir Jewelry allows you to rep one of these three characters around your neck. Personally, we'd prefer Waka Flocka Flame's Fozzie Bear chain. nOir is famous for making various rings for celebs, more specifically Lady Gaga, and we all know how she feels about rocking muppet gear.

InStyle

Year: 2011
Characters: Miss Piggy

In their November 2011 issue, InStyle laced out Miss Piggy in designer duds from the likes of Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, Giles & Brother, Brian Atwood, and Opening Ceremony. Talk about hamming it up for the camera. 

Opening Ceremony

Year: 2011
Characters: Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Kermit The Frog 

New York boutique Opening Ceremony is known for their quirky style and on-point taste. This collaboration with the Muppets is true to the brand, depicting versions of the characters dressed head-to-toe in dope outfits. Fozzie Bear is rocking a mash-up shirt and loafers! Also included in the collection were a series of all-over print buttondown shirts embroidered with characters' faces.

Jerome C. Rousseau

Year: 2011
Characters: Miss Piggy 

Much in the same way timeless hottie Jane Birkin inspired the Hermés Birkin Bag, Jerome C. Rousseau was inspired by muppet diva Miss Piggy when he created the Diva Glitter Pump. The glittery kicks are definitely not cheap, as Rousseau learned his craft working for quirky designers like Matthew Williamson. If your girl's eyeing a pair when they drop in January, be prepared to dish out $595.

Brooks Brothers

Year: 2011
Characters: Kermit The Frog

When we had word that Kermit The Frog was getting swagged out by classic American company Brooks Brothers, we jumped on that. Word is they're also outfitting him for the new movie. We don't think he's looked better, well, maybe a mustache would help.