Snoopy in Style: Paris Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the Peanuts
The “Snoopy in Style” exhibition salutes the unique look and global influence of the iconic Peanuts character, and of creator Charles “Sparky” Schulz
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Peanuts, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Peanuts Worldwide invite you to the exhibit called “Snoopy In Style: A History of Peanuts and Fashion.” Here’s a fascinating look at the interplay between fashion and the beloved cartoon characters, as well as Schulz (1922-2000) himself.
The displays include comic strips and objects from the museum’s collections, along with something special: Bamford London proudly announce the launch of a limited edition, 75 piece, Snoopy GMT (Greenwich Meantime) timepiece by Bamford London, the world’s ultimate hub for personalized luxury timepieces (price: €2050). On sale exclusively at the expo.
George Bamford, founder of Bamford London said, “Peanuts celebrates its 75th anniversary with a very special exhibition in Paris, showing the influence of Peanuts characters on decades of fashion and design, and how fashion impacted Peanuts stories. Bamford London is delighted to have been asked to create a 75-piece limited-edition GMT as part of this landmark exhibition. That’s 75 years of iconic characters and unforgettable adventures that have a special place in millions of hearts globally. We relished the challenge of reflecting that legacy in the design of this brand-new Bamford London, GMT.”
Snoopy and Belle dolls dressed by some of the world’s greatest couture designers confirm Charles M. Schulz understood that clothing was more than just fabric and thread. Charlie Brown’s zigzag shirt was his trademark; Lucy and Sally eventually added pants to their wardrobe; Snoopy only needed to put on sunglasses and a turtleneck sweater to become Joe Cool. And Sparky Schulz had a unique fashion sense which mirrored the stories in his comic strip.
“In addition to creating unforgettable, instantly recognizable characters, my husband had his own distinctive style, he couldn’t pass a men’s clothing store without looking at the sweaters!” says Jeannie Schulz, widow of the Peanuts creator. “I’m thrilled that the 75th anniversary of my husband’s universally beloved comic strip will be celebrated in a manner that would have delighted Sparky to no end.”
The “Snoopy In Style” exhibition unfolds in six chapters:
1. SPARKY’S STYLE
Charles M. Schulz was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a well-dressed young man, although he never thought of himself as fashion-conscious. He noticed what people said and wore, channeling his observations into Peanuts. In photographs and through some of his favorite items of clothing, visitors meet a young Sparky dressed neatly in the styles of the 1930s and 1940s, the well-dressed golfer and the plaids, pulled off with panache!
2. CLOTHING OF THE ICONIC CHARACTERS
Schulz understood how clothing could help readers connect with his characters. In 1999 he told the New York Times: “I first drew Charlie Brown wearing a little white t-shirt. But he didn’t bounce off the page. So, I gave him that little jagged stripe which he’s had ever since. The stripe sets Charlie Brown apart. I think character identification is very important in a comic strip, so a reader knows immediately who he’s looking at – which is why Sally always has polka dots, Linus horizontal stripes, and Schroeder bars.”
“Part of Sparky’s genius was the way he used the simplest of lines to create a whole universe of characters, each of whom feels like a friend,” says Melissa Menta, Senior Vice President, Brand and Communications for Peanuts Worldwide.
3. SNOOPY AND BELLE
Snoopy was introduced on October 4th, 1950, just two days after the comic strip began. “Snoopy was always more than just a dog. He walked into our lives, a flower tucked into his collar: accessorized” – to quote the exhibit curators. Clothing choices- reflecting his personality- also showed a connection to American and global popular culture. In 2023, a $15 “Puffer Jacket” Snoopy sold out at CVS stores around the USA. Belle appeared for the first time in the comic strip published on June 28, 1976.
4. PEANUTS FASHION AND POPULAR CULTURE
Here are some examples of how Charles M. Schulz featured American and global culture in Peanuts. The popularity of Western movies and television showed up in strips such Charlie Brown standing in one spot for half an hour because, in his new cowboy boots, “I can’t bend my knees!” In Schulz’ view, aloha shirts were good, Nehru jackets not so much, and designer jeans another source of humor. Peanuts fashion even became political, as when Schulz wrote a storyline for Peppermint Patty in which she challenged her school’s rules about proper attire for girls – six months before Title IX became law allowing girls to wear pants to school.
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5. CONNIE BOUCHER AND DETERMINED PRODUCTIONS
In 1959 Connie Boucher, a brilliant San Francisco businesswoman, founded Determined Productions, one of the first firms in the United States to “merchandise” characters from books, comic strips, and films. Aware of the popularity of Peanuts characters, Boucher contacted Charles Schulz and traveled to his studio to meet him. Determined Productions signed a contract with United Feature Syndicate for the first Peanuts datebook for 1962. 1962 also saw Determined Productions’ publication of the book, Happiness is a Warm Puppy, whose immediate success surprised even Schulz himself. That was the beginning of a multi-decade business relationship and mutually respectful friendship between Sparky and Connie Boucher. Within a few years, Determined Productions began marketing other Peanuts products: plush Snoopy dolls, character-themed sweatshirts, vinyl character dolls, and banners, many of which are on display in the exhibition.
6. THE DESIGNER EXHIBITIONS
Determined Productions launched a plush Snoopy doll in 1968, and when asked for clothing, Connie Boucher added Snoopy outfits to the product line. After his sister Belle debuted in 1976 – Determined Productions gave her a special wardrobe. In 1981, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, artistic director of Iceberg at the time, invented cartoon sweaters incorporating the image of Snoopy into his knits along with Shakespeare’s famous words: “To be or not to be”. Then, early 1982, Boucher contacted celebrity fashion designers, offering to send each designer Snoopy and Belle plush dolls, asking that they design outfits for them! To her co-workers’ disbelief, designers eagerly agreed – as they did in 1984, 1990, 2007, and from 2014-2017. Among the 75 designers whose couture creations for Snoopy and Belle are on display in “Snoopy In Style” are Giorgio Armani, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Fiorucci, Betsey Johnson, Karl Lagerfeld, and Issey Miyake.
The worlds of art, fashion, and pop culture collide in the relationship between iconic designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Charles Schulz. Their mutual admiration blossomed into a friendship inspiring some of de Castelbajac’s most memorable works. Celebrated for his bold and whimsical designs, de Castelbajac infused the beloved Peanuts characters into his creations, celebrating their universal charm. His collections for Benetton brought Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and friends into the vibrant world of high fashion. One of de Castelbajac’s most iconic pieces – the Snoopy doll coat worn by Vanessa Paradis – perfectly encapsulates his playful approach to design and ability to transform beloved characters into wearable art. The exhibition celebrates the enduring creative bond between de Castelbajac and Schulz.
“It was one of the greatest moments of my career to integrate Snoopy into my universe,” de Castelbajac recalls. “I’ve remained loyal to Snoopy over 50 years of creation. The last time I worked with Snoopy was in 2020 for United Colours of Benetton.” Snoopy In Style also displays Peanuts products from recent licensed collaborations, such as those with Bamford, London, Uniqlo, Lacoste, Vans, and Converse, among others.
Sarah Andelman, founder of Just an Idea, is curating the gift shop featuring exclusive souvenirs and collaborations with brands such as Leblon Delienne, Steiff, and K-way.
DETAILS
The exhibition until April 5th, 2025, is free to enjoy at:
L’Hôtel du Grand Veneur
60 rue de Turenne, 3rd (in the Marais district)
Daily from 11 am–6 pm
Metro: Chemin Vert
Lead photo credit : "Snoopy in Style" exhibit in Paris
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