LeSportsac Debuts ‘it’s a small world’ Collection
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LeSportsac and Disney Consumer Products announced today the launch of the Disney It’s a Small World by LeSportsac collection featuring handbags, totes and accessories that combine the bright aesthetic of LeSportsac with inspiration from the mid-century artwork of Disney artist Mary Blair who created the whimsical look of the beloved Disney theme park attraction “it’s a small world.”
Disney It’s a Small World by LeSportsac collection includes five seasonal deliveries, each inspired by a specific country. In addition to celebrating a country, each delivery will be anchored with a Signature Tote and a colorful print that pays tribute to the unique facades and architectural works of Disney’s “it’s a small world” Theme park attraction. The collection kicks off with a celebration of Tahiti that includes two graphic totes and a range of 12 styles in two vibrant prints.
“We are so inspired by Blair’s original art and the “it’s a small world” theme of global awareness,” said D’Arcy Jensen, Vice President, Global Creative Director, LeSportsac. “Each collectible design we are creating is a colorful narrative that is sure to delight fans of Disney, Mary Blair and LeSportsac alike.”
The “it’s a small world” attraction, which debuted at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, was created by Walt Disney both as a salute to UNICEF and his belief that everyone is united in their love of children and dreams of a better tomorrow. In keeping with the original philanthropic message of “it’s a small world,” Disney will make a donation to UNICEF in honor of “it’s a small world” and all product in the Disney It’s a Small World by LeSportsac collection will include a special hangtag sharing the history of the original attraction and the connection to UNICEF.
“Our collaboration with LeSportsac pays homage to the magical experience of “it’s a small world” while continuing the legacy of the message behind one of Disney’s most beloved theme park attractions,” said Robert Oberschelp, director, Disney Collections, DCP. “Walt Disney’s vision is as powerful and true today as it was when he first shared it with the world.”
The Disney It’s a Small World by LeSportsac Collection is available online at LeSportsac.com and at all LeSportsac flagship boutiques worldwide. LeSportsac is also available at better department stores and select specialty stores.
UPDATE #1: 5/14/12 – Please note the collection from LeSportsac is not currently available, but we are told it should be within the next month or so. Once we are able to confirm a date, we will update.
UPDATE #2: 5/22/12 – The collection is now available at http://lesportsac.com/smallworld with availability in stores soon.
Categories: Merchandise Tags: IASW, it's a small world, Merchandise
‘it’s a small world’ at International Toy Fair in New York
Last year, Disney Consumer Products kicked off a celebration of 45 years of ‘it’s a small world’ at the Disneyland Resort with upscale clothing lines and other merchandise including a line of books inspired by the attraction and the artwork of Mary Blair. The celebration continues into 2012 with all new product lines inspired by the attraction making their debut at the International Toy Fair in New York City.
miYim had a prototype displayed for a potential line of organic dolls inspired by ‘it’s a small world’ and the ‘Furry Friends
Please note that because the doll is a prototype and the line is awaiting approval from Disney, the final product design is subject to change.
Also representing the theme and spirit of the attraction are swaddling and receiving blankets from Swaddle Designs. Truly there is no more appropriate way to welcome a newborn into the world than with a receiving blanket that literally says hello in multiple languages. Swaddle Designs is also producing a line of swaddling and receiving blankets featuring classic Mickey and Minnie patterns designed to complement the existing line. The Disney blankets should be available this summer at upscale retail locations.
Categories: Merchandise Tags: Disney Baby, IASW, it's a small world, Merchandise
LEAKED: “it’s a small world” NextGen Interactive Experience Concept Art
We have obtained what is essentially concept art for the next generation (NextGen) interactive queue for “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. Taking advantage of the NextGen infrastructure in which guests will be able to personalize their experiences at Walt Disney World, the “it’s a small world” interactivity begins at home. Using their computer or smart phone, guests will design their own “it’s a small world doll.” When they visit the attraction at the Magic Kingdom, monitors placed throughout the attraction will virtually ride along with the guest (or the monitors may be installed in the vehicles, this is an unknown at this time). Guests will also be able to send e-cards spotlighting their virtual trip aboard the happiest cruise to have ever sailed the seven seas.
Below is our gallery of art we have obtained for the NextGen queue which highlights some of the options available when creating the virtual doll (in the Mary Blair style, naturally) as well as some sample virtual postcards.
Categories: Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: IASW, it's a small world, NextGen
Photos: Marine and Family Honored by Disneyland Resort at “it’s a small world” Lighting
On Monday, the Disneyland Resort invited Gunnery Sgt. Derrick Poteat, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s S-6 communication platoon, and his family to “flip the switch” on more than 300,000 holiday lights blanketing “it’s a small world” Holiday, transforming the popular attraction into a visual wonderland and officially launching the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort. The ceremony, presented by the attraction’s sponsor, Sylvania, honored Poteat and his family for the contributions they have made to our country. Poteat, who 
enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996, has completed three tours and recently returned from the latest, a seven-month deployment in the Middle East. He was joined by his three children, nephew, niece and wife, Clarice, an advisor to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s family readiness team, for a day of play at the Disneyland Resort followed by this special honor.
Photos by Paul Hiffmeyer, courtesy Disneyland Resort
Categories: Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Theme Parks Tags: Community, Human Interest, IASW, Military
Basq Introduces Mom & Baby Skin Care Collection Inspired by “it’s a small world”
Basq, the luxury skin care company committed to delivering the promise of “Real Beauty, Real Results” is pleased to announce a collaboration with Disney for a collection of mom & child skin care. With nurturing names such as Dream, Share, Touch & Love – basq will join an exclusive list of present day designers as a part of Disney’s iconic experience inspired by the beloved attraction “it’s a small world.” This new collection brings the attraction’s multi-cultural vibrant colors, patterns and images to life.
The “it’s a small world” line will depict the unique bond of mother and child and the shared connections of moms worldwide. From better sleep to buttery smooth skin, this line gives moms tools to care and touch smartly and beautifully. The products are global as the ingredients capture the fine skin care elements from cultures around the world. The assortment will highlight the following products:
DREAM Sleep Mist: Lavender is nature’s answer to the sweetest dreams and deepest sleep. Dreams are the playground of opportunity and peace. Envelop yourself with the delicate aroma, dream big and fill the world with your joy. (4 oz; $18)
SHARE Lavender Calming Oil: A loving touch brings us all together as one. There is warmth in the unity of connecting. For mother and child, their shared world is wonderfully small and personal. Beautifully gentle for skin nurturing and massage. (2 oz; $18)
TOUCH Lavender Body Butter: Imagine a world filled with love and the wonders that lay ahead. Mom can nurture her skin with this rich body butter during and post pregnancy and nourish the delicate skin of her little one with mom’s loving touch. (8 oz; $24)
LOVE Nourishing Cleansing Soap: Precious moments shared during bath time are filled with laughter and joy. Naturally cleansing and a treasure of playful, loving memories. (3.5 oz; $6)
Beautiful CHERISH Gift Sets bring together the skin care items in various sizes, combinations and different keepsake packaging to the mom and baby gift market.
The entire line will be displayed in the original colorful and playful artistry of Mary Blair’s original mid-century artwork created for the attraction. This imaginary artwork of “it’s a small world” lends itself to the box landscape with scenes relayed product by product. Standing alone each package will be rich, inspired and playful, building the acclaimed design and emotion of the “it’s a small world” attraction.
“We are excited to bring the spirit of ‘it’s a small world’ to our line of products,” said basq co-founder Kelli Kenny. “It is a wonderful extension of basq’s philosophy to deliver moms skin care that is safe, nurturing and of the highest quality. We are honored to collaborate with Disney to remind women who grew up loving ‘it’s a small world’ why it’s so special.”
Basq products are made entirely of rich ingredients that nourish and balance skin and are clinically tested for sensitivity and allergy. In addition, all items are paraben-free, phthalate-free and not tested on animals. To learn more about basq and the launch of the “it’s a small world” line, please visit www.basqnyc.com.
Categories: Merchandise Tags: Basq, IASW, Merchandise
“it’s a small world” Vinylmation Jr. Series to Debut at D23 Expo
Earlier today, Disney Design Group Artist Thomas Scott tweeted out a pic of what appeared to be an unknown Vinylmation Jr. figure. Immediately, the entire vinylmation community was abuzz, wondering what they had just seen — well, most of the community anyway, as we correctly attributed it to the popular Fantasyland attraction.
This was later confirmed by Vinylmation on its official blog, on which it announces the complete series will be dedicated to “it’s a small world” and features an additional image of a tiger from the attraction. As with other Vinylmation Jr. series, it will consist of 20 figures, 18 of which will be known (sold in a blind pack) and 2 chasers. The series will be making its debut at the Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 19-21.
This is the latest element mentioned in a year-long celebration commemorating the attraction’s arrival in Disneyland on May 28, 1966. As we first announced back in January, business units across The Walt Disney Company are joining in on the affair with new clothing lines, books and more, available through national channels exclusive of the theme parks, as well as in-park celebrations, which includes the Vinylmation release as well as a Mary Blair exhibit at Disneyland’s Disney Gallery,
Categories: Merchandise Tags: Collectibles, IASW, it's a small world, Merchandise, VCD, Vinylmation
Disney Gallery to Feature Art of Mary Blair as Part of ‘Small World’ Celebration; Exhibit Opens May 13
The Disney Gallery, located at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, has announced that beginning May 13, it will the art of famed Walt Disney Imagineer, Mary Blair. Blair is best known for her designs that inspired the ‘it’s a small world’ attraction which is celebrating its 45th year inside the Disneyland park in 2011.
The art represents a collection that has been never before been displayed in public, instead remaining inside the Walt Disney Studios Archive, until now. In addition to the art that inspired the globally loved attraction, the exhibit will feature Blair’s work on Disney animated films such as Cinderella, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland as well as Disney Parks contributions such as the tile murals for Tomorrowland, ‘ Adventure Through Innerspace,’ Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort and the never-realized Western River Ride.
We first mentioned the celebration which is uniting all facets of the Walt Disney Company back in January. In addition to the new exhibit, Disney Living and Nordstrom have debuted a line of infant clothing inspired by never-before-seen art by Blair. Disney Publishing Worldwide will also be releasing a series of childrens’ books inspired by the attraction and Blair’s art, beginning this summer and offering additional titles during the Holiday period.
Categories: Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Theme Parks Tags: Art, Disney Gallery, Events, IASW, Mary Blair
Nordstrom Details “it’s a small world”-Inspired Fashion Collection
Nordstrom today announced its plans with Disney Conumer Products and The Walt Disney Company to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the classic Disneyland attraction, “it’s a small world,” which we first reported earlier this year. The collection is inspired by world-renowned Disney artist Mary Blair’s original mid-century artwork created for the attraction, and by Walt Disney’s belief that we are united in our love of children and our dreams of a better tomorrow.
Four seasonal collections for newborns, infants and toddlers will hit Nordstrom stores nationwide and nordstrom.com/smallworld throughout 2011, each delivery representing an individual country: ‘Japanese Spring’ launches the line on February 28, followed by ‘Indian Summer’ in June, ‘Scottish Fall’ for September, and ‘Russian Holiday’ in November. Each collection includes items priced from $18 to $169 from collaborators such as Petunia Pickle Bottom, TOMS Shoes, FEED, Trumpette, Baby Nay and Mighty Fine.
“When Disney shared Blair’s original artwork with us from its archives, we were excited about how well it would translate into quality merchandise,” said John Hunt, Nordstrom merchandise manager for infants and toddlers. ”We hope our customers will love this art-driven collection as much as we do.”
In 1964, Walt Disney introduced a nine-minute boat ride– It’s a Small World – a Salute to UNICEF– dedicated to children around the world at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. In 1966, the attraction opened at Disneyland and today continues to carry guests past familiar miniature scenes of world’s monuments, animals, birds and children all singing and dancing to the unified tune of “it’s a small world.” Among all of Disney’s theme parks, there is not a moment of the day the song is not played.
“Our creative team here at Disney Consumer Products has always been inspired by the original Small World art and wanted to draw upon the magical story, prints and patterns, and diverse iconography to create this design-driven contemporary children’s collection that brings beauty, meaning and the legacy of ‘it’s a small world,’” said Robert Oberschelp, director, Disney Collections, DCP. ”This collection is especially great for gift-giving and keepsakes as the story of Walt Disney’s ‘it’s a small world’ is truly timeless.”
To give back, Nordstrom and Disney are teaming with TOMS Shoes and FEED Projects to offer philanthropic pieces in the collection. TOMS Shoes will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need, while FEED Projects Small World items will benefit UNICEF, which was the ride’s original 1964 beneficiary. Funds raised from the sales of FEED’s collection of items will enable UNICEF to provide vitamin supplements to children in need. FEED Projects Co-Founder and CEO Lauren Bush made a special appearance to help promote the collection at Nordstrom at The Grove in Los Angeles on Wednesday, February 16 from 3:30- 5 p.m.
Customers can receive a collectable, limited-edition lithograph of Mary Blair’s artwork each season with any purchase from the line (one per customer, while supplies last). There will also be special Disney character artists drawing at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle on March 19, Nordstrom Pleasanton (Pleasanton, Calif.) on March 20, Nordstrom Oakbrook Center (Oakbrook, Ill.) on March 26 and Nordstrom NorthPark Center (Dallas) on March 27. Further information on in-store events is available at nordstrom.com/smallworld.
Categories: Merchandise Tags: Clothing, Fashion, IASW, Merchandise, Nordstrom
The Walt Disney Company to Celebrate 45 Years of “it’s a small world” in 2011
For the 1964 Worlds Fair in New York, Walt Disney was commissioned by the Pepsi-Cola Company to produce an attraction to benefit the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). With less than a year to create it — and with the vision of former Disney Imagineer Mary Blair and catchy tune by the Sherman Brothers – Disney introduced “It’s A Small World” to the public. In 1966, the attraction re-opened at Disneyland, albeit in a modified form, and ‘the happiest cruise ever to have sailed’ has been a perennial favorite for millions at Disney Parks around the world since.
In honor of the 45th anniversary of the attraction at the Disneyland Resort, The Walt Disney Company is preparing to roll-out a year long celebration across its business units, partnering once again with the United Nations to benefit UNICEF.
Beginning in March, Disney Consumer Products will launch a new line of infant through youth (sizes 0 months – 6x) sized clothing and accessories inspired by recently discovered concept art for the attraction by Mary Blair. Fashions inspired by the Japanese portion of the attraction, such as the concept samples pictured (via Fast Code Design) will kick off the collection to be followed by India in the summer, Scotland in the fall and Russia in the winter. Designers have been commissioned to create premium outfits for the collection that will benefit charity, beginning with a backpack and toddler outfit designed by Lauren Bush to benefit FEED, her own collaboration with the United Nations.
Disney Consumer Products has also confirmed collaborations with Petunia Pickle Bottom, TOMS Shoes, Trumpette, Baby Nay and Mighty Fine. This line of clothing, which ranges in price between $18 – $56, will be available exclusively at Nordstrom. Look for more information soon.
In August, Disney Publishing Worldwide will be releasing several books aimed at children featuring all new artwork inspired by Mary Blair including Recipes from Around the World: A Cookbook for Kids
Naturally Disney Parks and Resorts will also be getting into the action along with a special Disney D23 member event. Expected celebrations include an international kids-fashion runway show, a pop-up shop and cocktail party amongst other surprises.
Categories: D23 Expo, Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Magic Kingdom, Merchandise, Publishing, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Clothing, D23, Events, Fashion, IASW, it's a small world, Merchandise
WDW Refurb Update: Extended Closure for ‘it’s a small world’ — Are Disney Characters Being Added?
Thanks to a tip, we have learned that ‘it’s a small world’ at the Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom has been scheduled for an extended refurbishment beginning August 1 and ending October 22. The refurbishment is listed on the official Walt Disney World website daily view for those dates and a call to the Resort did confirm the closure.
We’re sure in time that more about the details of the refurbishment will come to light, but until then, one can only speculate. With the addition of Disney characters at first Hong Kong Disneyland and then Disneyland in 2009, could the Magic Kingdom be far behind?
Below is a video released from Disney Parks which highlights the changes made to the Disneyland version last year:
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Update: According to the LA Times Fun Blog, both Disney Parks and WDI have denied that there will be characters added to the attraction, which still leaves one to wonder why the attraction will be closed for such a long time when it just experienced an extensive refurbishment about five years ago.
Categories: Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: fantasyland, IASW, it's a small world, Refurbishments, Refurbs, Rehabs
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