Bloomingdales to Unveil Comic Couture

The line, which will debut Oct. 1, will be available at 34 Bloomingdale’s stores and feature high-end apparel, accessories and collectible items from renowned brands including Converse, Medicom, Psycho Bunny, Junk Food Clothing and Altru.

The retail program has been in development for several months following an initial showcase, which featured Beetle Bailey earlier this year at PROJECT New York, where the designs captured the attention of Bloomingdale’s.

From Oct. 1-Jan. 31, Bloomingdale’s will have in-store boutiques dedicated to the line; and Bloomingdale’s flagship 59th Street store in Manhattan will prominently display the collection in their Third Avenue windows Oct. 6-17.

“Americana is red hot and nobody exemplifies this trend better than Beetle Bailey and Popeye. Together with cutting edge designer Darren Romanelli, we have created a hip collection that re-envisions these classic characters like never before,” says David Golzman, manager of North American Licensing for King Features Syndicate. “Bloomingdale’s is an American institution, making it the perfect partner to join with these two pop culture icons in the celebration of Americana and the military.”

“We are creating a whimsical approach to Americana, and, simultaneously, showcasing tastemaker culture in a very unique format,” says Romanelli. “Americana is the myth and legend of my country and I've grown to love it over the years.”