Cover The beloved white rabbit Miffy celebrates her 70th birthday this year. She is joined by her friend Melanie (Photo: Mercis BV)
The beloved white rabbit Miffy celebrates her 70th birthday this year. She is joined by her friend Melanie (Photo: Mercis BV)
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Miffy, the beloved fictional rabbit from the Netherlands, celebrates her 70th birthday this year
If you’ve been scrolling through your social media feeds lately, chances are you’ve spotted a certain little white rabbit making an apppearance. The world can’t seem to get enough of Miffy—and we’re not complaining! Created by Dutch artist and writer Dick Bruna, the precious, timeless, minimalist bunny has amassed a huge young-adult following over the decades, growing from a children’s book icon into a global sensation.
Since her debut in 1955, she has remained a cherished figure, adored from the United States to Japan—and beyond. She even has an entire museum dedicated to her, along with numerous brand collaborations, making her an adorable quasi-influencer in her own right. And this year, Miffy is celebrating a major milestone—her 70th birthday.
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The idea of Miffy (called Nijntje in her native Holland, short for konijnttje, meaning “little bunny” in Dutch) was conceived when Bruna told bedtime stories to his young son about a small white rabbit they had seen hopping around the garden of their holiday home. This inspired him to begin sketching the adorable creature, which eventually evolved into the poker-faced, seemingly stoic bunny we know and love today,
There are more than 35 books authored and illustrated by Bruna, and more than 120 books featuring the extended characters of the Miffy universe. These stories have been translated into more than 50 languages and have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Miffy has even expanded beyond books into several television series and a feature film released in 2013.
The rabbit’s characteristically minimalist aesthetic consists of a limited palette of primary colours like red, yellow and blue. Bruna’s artistic influences included Henri Matisse, seen in allusions to the latter’s paper cut-out technique and use of negative space in most of her depictions. According to him, omitting unnecessary details allowed children to engage their imagination and connect deeply with the story.
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Her design has undergone subtle changes over the years, as older renderings depicted her with floppy years and rounder shapes. By 2003, she resembled a toddler-like bunny with softer proportions. Bruna also decided early on that Miffy would be female, as he favoured drawing her in a dress rather than trousers.
Miffy has experience quite a cultural renaissance in recent years, captivating fans worldwide with collaborations ranging from Baccarat and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to Uniqlo and Tommy Hilfiger. While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes her so beloved, there’s no denying that the attention she’s receiving is well deserved.
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
