(Update – 13 March 2026: This article now includes a slideshow highlighting celebrities seen wearing Gentle Monster’s 2026 Circuit collection.)
By Jessica Ye (Jessica Yap)
I did not expect to see a Formula One car and Mickey Mouse in the same sentence this year. And yet here we are.
With the 2026 Circuit Collection, Gentle Monster brings together the world of Formula One and the unmistakable charm of Disney in a way that feels surprisingly natural.
At its core, this is eyewear inspired by the speed and intensity of racing. You can feel it in the shapes. Sleek frames that curve close to the face. Bold silhouettes that look ready for movement. Across eight styles made from durable yet lightweight materials, the collection balances statement with wearability. These are pieces that could just as easily sit front row as they could trackside.
And then there is Mickey.
Three designs draw inspiration from Disney’s Mickey and Friends, bringing a flash of personality into the line-up. It could have felt gimmicky. It does not. Instead, the familiar energy of Mickey adds contrast to the sharpness of the racing influence. It softens the severity just enough, without losing impact.
It is playful, but it is also confident.
A Launch That Feels Like an Event
The campaign leans fully into the drama of the track, capturing the intensity of an F1® car in motion and pairing it with the vibrancy of Mickey and Friends. The mood is bold and unapologetic. This is not subtle eyewear. It is designed to be noticed.
To celebrate, special pop-ups in Seoul and Shanghai will bring the collaboration into physical space. A F1® car installed within the venue. A gigantic Mickey Mouse-inspired sculpture standing alongside it. The pairing is surreal in the best possible way.
Add a Mickey-themed photo booth and the experience becomes something visitors can step into rather than simply observe.
Why It Works
What makes the 2026 Circuit Collection compelling is not just the crossover of three recognisable names. It is the clarity of the idea.
Racing represents focus, performance and edge. Mickey represents imagination and cultural memory. Gentle Monster sits comfortably between the two, turning both into something wearable.
It is bold. It is fun. It knows exactly how dramatic it wants to be.
And honestly, that confidence is what makes it exciting.
Circuit Collection IRL: How Stars Style Gentle Monster 2026
The collection arrives worldwide on 7 March 2026, with coordinated launches across key regions.
