Bryan Mon, Character Art Manager, Disney Consumer Products, has spent over a decade bringing beloved Disney characters to life by creating artwork for various products. Now, he’s bringing that joy to children and families when they need it most, through special, Disney-inspired hospital wear for kids.
Released just in time for World Princess Week, Mon’s latest design is a new gown inspired by Princess Jasmine, adding to the existing line of over 30 Disney designs. These special, Disney-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns and Pants replace traditional hospital wear, empowering children to channel the positive spirit of their favorite Disney character.
The Positive Power of Disney Princesses
Mon recently experienced the true impact of his work, seeing patients’ reactions to his designs for the first time at a special Princess-themed event for kids at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The attendees were among the first to see and wear the new Princess Jasmine hospital gown.
“When I got to meet some young people wearing the gowns that I designed, it was such a joy for me because usually I don’t see that happening,” he reflected. “To see it in real life, it’s just a shot of energy to know that I’m doing something that affects peoples’ lives in a positive way.”
Mon’s contributions as a designer and Disney VoluntEAR continue a legacy of supporting kids and families that started with Walt Disney himself, who brought Disney animators and characters to visit hospitalized children.
“It’s really meaningful to me to know that Disney supports children’s hospitals in this way. It’s really affecting people on a personal level, in a positive way,” Mon said.
At the event, he showcased his artistic talent by guiding kids through the process of drawing their favorite Disney characters, including the beloved Disney Princesses. For generations, these characters have inspired fans in films, television shows, live experiences, and more to follow their hearts, explore their potential, and discover just how far they can go.
The patients were also treated to Disney Princess-themed toys and books delivered by Starlight, a new Disney Princess augmented reality (AR) experience, and in a rare hospital setting appearance, a surprise visit from Princess Jasmine, herself!
Transforming Patients into Disney Princesses
Mon has helped create Disney-themed Starlight hospital wear inspired by at least 16 different characters, including fan favorites from Disney Princess, Mickey & Friends, Star WarsTM and more.
“We love to give kids the chance to pick the gown that makes them feel strong and brave in an otherwise difficult situation. They get to see their favorite character, embody what that character means to them, and just provide a really fun distraction from why they might be in the hospital,” Lauren Almeida, Senior Manager of Partnerships, Starlight Children’s Foundation, said.
When developing these designs, Mon is focused on capturing the quintessential qualities of each beloved Disney character.
His process starts with gathering as many references as he can, pulling from the colors, shapes and other design elements that make up each character’s unique identity. For example, the design inspired by Princess Jasmine incorporates her pet Tiger, Rajah, while the Princess Ariel-inspired gown features the siren’s iconic mermaid tail.
“We try to put as much magic in it as possible. I’ve hidden a Mickey in every Princess gown,” Mon added, referencing Disney’s tradition of hiding the iconic mouse’s silhouette in various designs.
Each gown is crafted with care, inspiring kids to embrace the courage and confidence of their inner Disney Princess, while helping to provide a sense of comfort and normalcy during their hospital stay.
Delivering Joy and Comfort to Children in Hospitals
Disney-themed Starlight hospital wear is one of the many ways Disney delivers joy and comfort to children and their families when they need it most. Since 2001, the company has collaborated with Starlight Children’s Foundation to bring the positive power of Disney stories, characters and immersive experiences to more than 500 children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care throughout the U.S.
Starlight Children’s Foundation aims to deliver happiness to hospitalized kids and their families by distributing vital programs, like Starlight Hospital Wear, that provide pediatric patients with play, comfort and positive distraction. Starlight’s donor-funded programs are offered to pediatric facilities that are part of its healthcare network and utilized by healthcare professionals to distract and educate patients during challenging procedures and treatments, helping make their journey toward recovery a little brighter.
“I’m so proud to work for Disney Consumer Products because I get to do things that I couldn’t do for any other company,” Mon reflected. “It reaches so many people, so many families in a positive way, and I’ve really seen it bring joy to people. To be a part of that just makes me feel good.”
As part of Disney’s $100 million global commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care, the company also provides hospitals with care packages and deliveries of Disney toys and books, complimentary access to Disney+ content, movie screenings and more via Starlight Children’s Foundation.
To learn more about Disney’s commitment to delivering joy when it’s needed most, please visit joy.disney.com.