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Snoopy has tried on plenty of personas over the years: World War I flying ace, novelist, astronaut, college student and, of course, Joe Cool. Now, the famously imaginative beagle is adding fashion muse to his résumé with a sprawling new exhibition in the Meatpacking District.
Snoopy in Style NYC opens today, September 2, at 25 Little West 12th Street. The free exhibition explores Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts through fashion, music, sports and pop culture, with 10 immersive zones curated by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center.
Among the main attractions is a collection of one-of-a-kind Snoopy and Woodstock plush dolls, each dressed in custom creations by an impressive roster of designers: Christopher John Rogers, Sandy Liang, LUAR, BODE, Coach, Levi’s, Michael Kors Collection, Madhappy and New York or Nowhere are among the brands and designers represented. (Frankly, that is a better wardrobe than most humans in the Meatpacking District can claim.)
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The exhibition also traces how clothing helped define the Peanuts gang, from Charlie Brown’s famous zigzag shirt to the evolving looks worn by Lucy and Sally.
“Sparky understood that characters, like people, had a distinct sense of style,” Jean Schulz, Charles Schulz’s widow and president of the museum’s board of directors, said. “When you saw that style, you would understand something deeper about them. Sparky himself appreciated people’s personal style.”
Beyond the tiny designer outfits, visitors can browse rare archival materials, pose for interactive photos and drop into Joe Cool’s Listening Lounge, which pairs one of Snoopy’s best-known alter egos with the jazz compositions of Vince Guaraldi.
Another section examines Schulz’s love of tennis, his friendship with Billie Jean King and his support for Title IX and the Women’s Sports Foundation. Displays also consider the confident, intelligent and athletic female characters Schulz created, including Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Lucy and Sally.
Naturally, Snoopy’s fashion moment comes with shopping opportunities. The on-site gift shop, curated by Sarah Andelman, stocks toys, clothing, candy, home goods and other Peanuts merch. Visitors can also purchase Moleskine notebooks and have them embossed at a special hot-stamp cart. The celebration even extends beyond the exhibition through collaborations and activations at retailers around NYC, including C.O. Bigelow, Sugarfina, FAO Schwarz, UGG and LeSportsac.
Snoopy in Style NYC runs daily through September 26, generally from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is free.