New Kate Spade Muppet Collection!

High end fashion designer Kate Spade has teamed up with Disney to producer a new line of Muppet apparel and accessories. 

The line includes: 

Disney X Kate Spade New York Muppets Medium Tote

Kate Spade X Muppets Tee

Kate Spade New York Muppets Kermit Crossbody

Kate Spade New York Muppets Mini Tote

Kate Spade New York Muppets Animal Crossbody

Kate Spade New York Muppets Medium Compact Bifold Wallet

Kate Spade New York Muppets Medium L-zip Wristlet

Use the links above and Kate Spade for more details, pricing, and a look at the entire collection.

Best and Worst "Stuff" of 2016!

We all know 2016 was a dumpster fire of a year.

We lost David Bowie, Prince, David Smyrl (Mr. Handford), George Martin, Florence Henderson, Gene Wilder, "Toots" Thielemans, Morley Safer, and Alan Rickman.

Puppet Up closed it's Las Vegas run early, and both The Muppets (2015) and No, YOU Shut Up! were cancelled.

There were a few bright spots such as The Electric Mayhem's live concert, various Muppet appearances - including Fozzie on @midnight, Sesame Street photobombing the Tonight Show w/ Jimmy Fallon, The Muppets opening Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (including Miss Piggy latter saving Tony Bennet), Fraggle Rock's return to HBO, and the debut of a new Henson series Splash and Bubbles. Other treats include Matt Vogel's great behind the scenes of Sesame Street web series "Below The Frame", the return of Pigs in Space, and Sonia Manzano receiving a Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Emmy.

We even got to visit the debut of the Strong Museum's Henson collection. 

However, as our primary focus here is to talk Muppet "stuff" (that's we call ourselves Muppet Stuff) as our last post of 2016, we look back at the best (and worst) Henson related items released this year. 

The Worst:

Kate Spade's Miss Piggy collection

Over priced and not very attractive are not how you honor the world most famous and fashionable pig. I mean $98 for a key chain? Come on. 

Kermit Hair Bow

On the other end of the fashion spectrum was IntenCITY's line of Disney inspired fashions. While there were some really nice items for other Disney franchise, unfortunately their only Muppet related item looks like it was made by elementary school kids forced to make them during their lunch break. Cute, cheap, yet uninspiring. 

"Chase" Kira with closed mouth Fizzgig Pop!

A chase, or variant figure usually has something special about it - recolored, a different outfit, etc. but what Funko did for this chase was pretty lazy. It's just Fizzgig, but with a closed mouth. Not only that, the very thing that makes the figure different is hidden begins the "chase" sticker!

"The Best of Fraggle Rock"

Enjoy The Ride Records limited edition vinyl of The Best of Fraggle Rock. Should have been really special. There were 7 different vinyl colors made - each representing a different character, but each record had the same image of the Fraggles on the front and Trash Heap on the B side.

As we originally noted "It would have been a lot nicer and made the color choices more apparent if the different characters they represented were on the flip side, especially since Sprocket is only seen in the gatefold map."

The Best:

Up Late with Miss Piggy Mug

As only one of two official items released from the now cancelled The Muppets, we felt that it deserved a place on the list. Here's hoping Diamond Select follows it up with some Rowl's Tavern coasters or pint glasses someday. 

Jim Henson's Labyrinth Artist Tribute & Labyrinth Tales (tie)

Seeing the many different artistic styles take on the world of Labyrinth and it's many characters is very inspiring. There are many gorgeous, funny, and brilliant images to found. With the continuation of Achia's Storyletter anthology comics, I could see Labyrinth becoming their next ongoing anthology project. 

Labyrinth Pop! Ludo

With many great Labyrinth Pop! figures released by Funko this year we thought it best to include Ludo who rarely gets the merch treatment and as a large 6" figure too.

Blue Yip Yip Martian Puppet

This Sesame Place exclusive was the perfect example of what their limited release "Classic Character Collection" should be - a fan favorite we don't see much of anymore that's realet represented in merchandise. Add to the fact that this is a puppet and not just a stuffed animal gives it much more interactive and has a great play-ability factor. Here's hoping the Pink one isn't too far behind!

Dark Crystal hoodie

While Zen Monkey Studios made some outstanding shirts and pins featuring characters from Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock, there Dark Crystal hoodie was a standout. Not only does is feature a gorgeous image of Kira, Jen, Fizzgig, Ursol, Aughra, and the Chamberlain on the back, the front features the crystal being broken into shards. Brilliant design, excellent execution. 

Dark Crystal ReAction Figure - Aughra

Funko did an amazing job bringing the long wanted, and until now never produced, line of Dark Crystal action figures to the market. While initially going to make straight replicas of Kenner's unproduced figures, instead they went above and beyond to give them a timeless yet fully sculpted look. The detail in Aughra is stunning, I just wish they used better glue on the packages. 

Labyrinth: A Visual History

Insight Editions put together another great coffee table book filled with never before seen photos and stories from the making of the film. The book even features many interactive reproductions placed throughout, giving it the feel that you stumbled upon it in the Henson workshop. I have high hopes for their Dark Crystal book scheduled for next year. And who knows if it also does well, maybe we'll get the Fraggle Rock book they planned to release last year!

Animal Action figure

This year saw Diamond Select Toys bring the Muppets back to the action figure world since Palisades Toys folded a decade ago. Thanks to a certain frogboy in San Fransico, series 1 was great, but series 2 really brought out the heavy hitters. Their Animal figure not only looked fantastic, but the inclusion of his drumset in both in the more expensive comic store version and the mass release (Toys R US, Barnes & Noble, etc) version was unexpected and needs to be recognized for a job well doe. If only the drumset fit together better and was able to stand on it's on without glue, tape, or puddy. 

Dark Crystal ReAction Figure - Ursol

Another greatly sculpted figure was Funko's Ursol the mystic figure. The detail that is seen in his body and jacket makes it an amazing piece of art. And in a better package then the rest of the regular line!


Which bring us to the our pick for the #1 release this year:
Statler and Waldorf Action Figure

Ever since Palisades released their Statler and Waldorf figures and their amazing Muppet Theater backstage playset, fans have been wanting their theater box. Diamond Select heard our pleas and not only released the box, but was able to included with both figures. It fits together perfectly and and is a must have for any serious Muppet fan. Not even the fact that the they're switched on the back cover or that the box was sadly not included in the mass release version could keep it from our #1 spot. 

Honorable Mentions:
Labyrinth game by River Horse, Diamond Select's Muppet Minimates, Jim Henson's Storyteller: Dragons, and Labyrinth's 30th Anniversary comic. 

There's more great Muppet stuff to look forward to in 2017.
Let us know if your favorite made the list or what you think we over looked this year. 

Kate Spade Officially Debuts Miss Piggy Line with #Missadventure Episode!

We recently told you that fashion designer Kate Spade was teaming up with Miss Piggy for a new line of high end accessories.

The line officially launched with Miss Piggy's Kate appearance in Kate Spade's webseries #MissAdventure. “To the top” features Miss Piggy and Zosia Mamet in the elevator at the Empire State Building.

Since the initial announcement, a few items have been added to the line including this $98 Miss Piggy keychain. No that's not a typo. A $98. Miss Piggy. KEYCHAIN. 

and this $378 tote bag (presumably $98 of that is for the keychain):

The rest of teh currently available line of Miss Piggy Items can be found at Kate Spade.com.

Miss Piggy and Kate Spade Team Up for Holiday Collection!

Miss Piggy and fashion designer designer Kate Spade have teamed up to create a new holiday collection. 

Miss Piggy made the announcement herself earlier this week via twitter:

The high end collection is comprised of a sweater, wristlet, clutch, tote, wallet, iPhone cases, necklace, key chain, and stud earrings with prices ranging from $48 to $358.

In addition to appearing in the holiday ad campaign along with Jourdan Dunn and Catherine Baba (above), Piggy will also be the face of the brand’s “Miss Adventure” film, which will be released online in December. 

Miss Piggy sat down with fashion bog WWD for an interview about the line:

WWD: Why did you want to collaborate with Kate Spade?Miss Piggy: Moi was already a big fan of Kate Spade New York’s Miss Adventure’s series. I mean you see all these fabulous and incredibly strong and wonderful women like Anna Kendrick and Zosia Mamet having fun. So, I thought: I’m fabulous, incredibly strong and wonderful, I need to be part of this. When I discovered they wanted to create product inspired by moi: Well, it was a done deal. 

WWD: How much input did they give you in the collection’s design?M.P.: I worked very closely with Deborah Lloyd, Kate Spade New York’s chief creative officer. We had lots of midnight chats. (Hey, how did I know she was in a different time zone?) We both worked hard, but I did the inspiring and Deborah did the designing. (Strictly between us, inspiring is a lot easier than designing. Much better hours.) 

WWD: Who is the customer for your Disney Miss Piggy Collection by Kate Spade?M.P.: She is quick, curious, playful and strong…she is interesting and interested — just like moi!
WWD: What was it like on the set for the ad campaign?M.P.: It was so much fun! I adore Zosia — you know, I kept calling her Zsa Zsa, because I thought that was her name. She kept trying to correct me, but I thought she was sneezing. Hah! The fun we have on set! Or maybe you had to be there.

WWD: What are your favorite accessories and do you match them with your outfits?M.P.: Everything in the collection is fabulous, but anything with “Moi” on it is a personal favorite. I’m sure you feel exactly the same way. Don’t you? Of course, you do. I match my “Who Moi?!” Hallie tote with my fabulous “Who Moi?!” sweater. With a wristlet, a clutch, a key chain, a necklace, a sweater and stud earrings — all part of the Disney Miss Piggy Collection by Kate Spade New York. N’est ce pas?
WWD: How important is fashion to your life, and do you feel it’s an important aspect of women’s lives today?M.P.: My style is more moi-centric. In the beginning, I used to seek approval from others about my fashion choices. Now, I trust myself. If I wear it, you better like it. Attitude is everything. Your clothes should always make a statement. I like mine to say: “Yoo-hoo, everybody, look at me! I’m fabulous! Don’t you wish you were moi?” I also believe every young women needs to know that though you may have to struggle and strive to achieve your dreams, you can have oodles of fun along the way. Be curious. Be daring. Be different. Be yourself. And, if that doesn’t work, be moi!z

WWD: What special features did you insist on in your accessories?M.P.: Moi! Moi! Moi!z
WWD: What’s your favorite must-have accessory?M.P.: Oh, everything in the collection is fabulous, but if I have to choose I’d say that all of the pieces with “Moi” on them are my favorite. If it’s got anything to do with moi, I don’t leave the house without it.z
WWD: Do you feel accessories make the woman?M.P.: Oh, attitude makes the woman, darling! But naturally I have to mention moi’s incredible collection as an absolute must. What do you think: this is my first rodeo? Hah!

Check out the items in collection (and their prices) for yourself:

Clutch, $358

Lacey wallet, $248

iPhone 7 applique folio, $78

Who moi iPhone 7 case with chain, $90

Who moi studs, $48

Who moi necklace, $78

Who moi sweater, $248

To rock the whole collection will only will set you back $1,148 plus tax! 

Moi would suggest joining their mailing list where you'll get 15% off your next purchase. Then maybe you'll actually be able afford half of the items!

The collection will hit Kate Spade specialty stores, Nordstrom, and Kate Spade's website Dec 1.