Illumination’s Minions have tapped renowned street artist, Buff Monster, to collaborate on a limited-edition apparel drop, the Minions x Buff Monster capsule collection– available now in limited quantities, exclusively at Universal UNIVRS – a first-of-its-kind retail destination located at Universal CityWalk Hollywood and inside Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando Resort.
Bright yellow and instantly unforgettable, the Minions have become icons of self-expression in pop culture across the globe. Worlds collide as Buff Monster, known for the pops of color and signature monster characters featured in his artwork, puts his own creative twist on the collaboration design by seamlessly integrating his artistic style with the iconic Minions characters. This will be the second collaboration between Buff Monster and the Minions, after the launch of a popular beach-themed apparel line in 2016.
Buff Monster made an appearance at the Universal CityWalk Hollywood UNIVRS store on March 7th from 6-8pm PT to celebrate the partnership and meet with fans. The first 50 fans who purchased a piece from the collection received an exclusive, limited-edition Minions x Buff Monster print.
“I’ve always loved the Minions and how playful and expressive they are, so for this new collection, I was intrigued by the idea of having my ice cream characters, generally referred to as Mister Melty or The Melty Misfits, interact with the Minions in fun and dynamic ways,” said Buff Monster. “We focused on combining Minions Bob, Kevin and Stuart with my characters in surprising and unexpected compositions, using an assortment of bold key graphics and patterns across various clothing items made for a varied and cohesive capsule collection.”
The new capsule is available to purchase at UNIVRS, a retail destination which brings favorite brands from across NBCUniversal to life through apparel and lifestyle offerings that lean into the “get it before it’s gone” drop culture. Tapping into entertainment and fashion tastemakers through their style-driven offerings, merchandise at UNIVRS marries popular brand designs with current fashion silhouettes and trending styles, driven by favorite characters and iconic on-screen moments.
The Minions x Buff Monster apparel capsule includes tees, tanks, loungewear, and more with vibrant colors and signature graphics featured throughout the collection and is now shoppable in limited quantities only at UNIVRS stores in Hollywood and Orlando, with prices ranging from $25 – $125.
Buff Monster is a renowned street artist based in New York City. His artistic style is characterized by vibrant colors, bold lines, and whimsical characters, all aimed at adding a touch of sweetness to the world. Influenced by heavy metal music, ice cream, pop art, Japanese culture, and graffiti, he has been painting murals globally for over two decades. Buff Monster gained recognition in Banksy’s Oscar-nominated documentary, “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” His meticulously crafted paintings have found a place in galleries worldwide, with the Bristol City Museum including one of his works in their permanent collection. Beyond the street art scene, Buff Monster has collaborated with prominent brands like Disney, Converse, Hello Kitty, Samsung, Nike, Coca-Cola, and even the beloved Minions. Operating under the brand name Stay Melty, he continues to release limited-edition collectibles, including vinyl toys, resin toys, prints, shirts, stickers, and trading cards. With a strong presence on social media, Buff Monster has amassed an impressive following, showcasing his enduring influence and impact on contemporary art.