THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 15, 1996 TAG: 9603150092
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIM WADSWORTH, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
YOU CAN ``JUST DO IT'' or you can get ``Looney Tooned'' because cartoon characters are cool again.
Clothing manufacturers are betting that Mickey, Tazmanian Devil and The Cat in the Hat are going to be your logos of choice, replacing sports-generated mottos. And we're talking serious characters here, many of them old friends of your parents.
All your favorite characters have reached a new status with ``Mickey and Minnie Forever'' and The Cat making a comeback. Loving the nostalgia, teens are going back to their own retro roots.
The Cat in the Hat, the Grinch and other familiar figures from Dr. Seuss made their debut this season. The infamous red-and-white striped hat on the cat is embroidered on denim shirts, printed on backpacks and boxer shorts.
Will The Cat achieve cult status, bumping Mickey off the No. 1 spot?
Perhaps, some retailers say. While Mickey & Co., the leading manufacturer of the Disney mouse, has him spotlighted on every possible clothing and accessory item available, The Cat is making strides.
``The whole thing is just classic resurgence,'' said Christine Davidson, co-owner of The Kind, a clothing and accessory store in Virginia Beach. ``We always sell out of hats, embroidered T-shirts and patches with him on it.''
Sharon Costner, a salesperson in Hecht's teen department, notes that distinct age groups gravitate towards different characters.
Younger teens still love Mickey while the older set wants The Cat and some of the more sassy newcomers like ``The Stick World'' figures, ``Whatever,'' and ``Well, Alrighty Then'' - a catch-phrase from popular movie, ``Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.''
At The Factory in Virginia Beach, Japanese animation figures are the rage. Akira and the latest characters from Hookups are printed on shirts, wallets and backpacks and constantly sell out.
So there's no problem expressing yourself with your favorite cartoon icons. MEMO: Fashion coordination and makeup by Kim Wadsworth for Wadsworth Style
ILLUSTRATION: Photos by JIM WALKER/The Virginian-Pilot
Meredith Minguez, 15, wears an embroidered shirt by Mickey & Co,
$20, and jean overall jumper by Squeeze, $34.99. Darby Beckman, 16,
wears the mean and green Grinch shirt, $18, and ball cap, $18, by
Dr. Seuss. Paris Blues button bib skirt, $22. All fashions available
at Hecht's.
Cartoon stuff: Pigpen plastic wallet with chain, $19.95, Hook Up
ball cap, $21.95, from The Factory. Embroidered Cat in the Hat
T-shirt, $24.95, available at The Kind. Tazmanian Devil watch from
Looney Tunes, $45, from Hecht's.
by CNB