Every now and then, a wondrous thing happens where two wildly diverging topics cross paths to make something that could either look cool, strange, or even a bit of both depending on how you feel. In this case, it’s fashion and animation.
The Hollywood Reporter had just broke the news that popular alternative fashion retailer Hot Topic has unveiled an eight-piece, limited-edition fashion collection based on the upcoming Reel FX animated film The Book Of Life.
The collection, which will officially drop on September 15 (the online presale just begun this week), includes what THR describes as follows: “a button cardigan embroidered with sugar skulls (a signature item used to celebrate the holiday), an off-the-shoulder frock with embellished florals and a hip-hugging ruffled red dress.”
This collection was made in partnership with 20th Century Fox Consumer Products and will be available in Hot Topic stores and on its website. The collection will be priced between $29.50 and $49.50.
I’m no fashion expert, but this is certainly an interesting way of promoting an animated movie! In the past, Hot Topic has been a popular place for another animated film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, so much that the two have almost become synonymous. Since The Book of Life has many similar elements to that film (undead, darker palette, etc.), it seems like a perfect place to merchandise this clothing and accessories line.
And being that The Book Of Life has a very colorful and vibrant art style and distinct visual palette, it make sense that a clothing line would play off of that, as well as interweave elements of the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday and culture that is the basis of the film (as exemplified by the sugar skull patterns). Check out the full line in the photos below.
The Book Of Life opens in theaters on October 17.
What do you think? Can you think of any odd cross-pollinations with the animation world?