Snoopy, the beloved beagle from "Peanuts," is known for his many roles. He's been a World War I flying ace, a sports star, and the cool college kid "Joe Cool." Most importantly, he's Charlie Brown's loyal friend.
A new exhibition in New York City, "Snoopy in Style NYC," celebrates Snoopy's many looks and his lasting impact on culture. The free exhibition runs through September 26 in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. It shows how Snoopy grew from a comic strip character into a global icon.
Snoopy's Fashion Influence
The exhibition highlights Snoopy's long history in commercial and creative projects. The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center curated the installations. A key part of the display features Snoopy and Woodstock dolls dressed in custom outfits from brands like Adidas, Coach, and Levi’s.
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Start Your News DetoxMelissa Menta, Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Communications for Peanuts Worldwide, explained the project's origins. She told Spectrum News that it started in the 1980s when Connie Boucher asked famous designers to create outfits for Snoopy and his sister Belle. The current exhibition reimagines this idea with Snoopy and Woodstock dolls.
Connie Boucher, who passed away in 1995, was a pioneer in licensing cartoon characters. Charles Schulz himself noted her impact. He told the New York Times that Boucher "set a standard for licensing" with her quality and original ideas, like the 1961 "Peanuts" calendar.
Snoopy's popularity grew in the late 1960s, partly because of his many identities. In 1968, he became a mascot for NASA. The "Silver Snoopy" award, featuring Snoopy in a space suit, honors those who make "outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success." That same year, Snoopy was a popular write-in candidate during the U.S. presidential election.
Beyond the Comic Strip
The exhibition also looks at the iconic clothing of other "Peanuts" characters, like Charlie Brown's zig-zag shirt and Linus' security blanket. Jean Schulz, Charles Schulz's widow and president of the museum's board, told amNY that her husband understood how characters' styles revealed deeper truths about them.
"Peanuts" characters also advocated for Title IX and gender equality in sports during the 1970s. A display in the exhibition is dedicated to tennis, highlighting Schulz's friendship with Billie Jean King.
Even though the "Peanuts" comic strip ended in 2000 after nearly 50 years, Snoopy remains a highly visible character. His image can be found in amusement parks, cafes, and gardens. Author Jonathan Franzen described Snoopy as a "quick-change artist" who can become anything from a helicopter to a hockey player, yet quickly return to being the eager little dog who just wants dinner.
