Disguise, Inc, the costume division of leading toy and consumer products manufacturer JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ:JAKK), has announced the costume rights to Afro Unicorn for North America and EMEA. Commencing in 2023, Disguise will design, market, manufacture and distribute costumes and costume accessories for Afro Unicorn, a conscious brand with a mission to uplift and celebrate women and children of color.
Afro Unicorn, created by April Showers, is designed to represent the uniqueness of women and children of color in a truly diverse and inclusive fashion. After being told she was a unicorn by so many, April started to explore the unicorn symbol only to realize it is only available in white and lacks representation. April created a unicorn in multiple shades to represent a range of women of color, and Afro Unicorn was born.
The brand has skyrocketed onto the scene with 25 categories, from apparel and accessories to toys, puzzles, books, bedding, bandages, backpacks, collectibles, and more to inspire and remind women and children of color how unique, divine and magical they truly are.
With the May 2022 Walmart launch, Afro Unicorn is a true pioneer – the first female, Black-owned business to own a licensed character brand in major retail. The Afro Unicorn brand can be found in all major retail chains, both in-stores and online nationwide.
Disguise is proud to be launching Afro Unicorn products to support the extraordinary brand that its visionary founder and CEO April Showers has built to highlight the importance of representation and Black beauty,” said Tara Hefter, President and GM of Disguise, Inc. “Diversity and inclusivity are important attributes to Disguise and the costumes we create globally and we are excited to launch beautiful costumes in support of such an amazing brand.”
Ms. Showers says: “It is absolutely thrilling to partner with Disguise on such incredibly inspiring costumes and costume accessories. By expanding my empowerment-led brand into this creative realm, children can live and play in a fantastical world of Afronia, brimming with characters, where they can be their authentic selves through play and their imaginations.”
Owned by JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ:JAKK), Disguise is a world leader in design and development of inventive and cutting edge costumes and accessories with licenses for the hottest properties and distribution across the world. Retail Monster, Afro Unicorn’s licensing agent, worked to finalize the partnership.
Disguise’s costumes for Afro Unicorn will be available in store and online at major retail and specialty stores this fall.