In late 2018, KAWS collaborated with Uniqlo and Sesame Workshop to release a vibrant capsule collection uniting his “XX” visual language with iconic Sesame Street characters — spanning apparel and collectible plush toys across global Uniqlo stores.

Apparel Capsule (2018)
Uniqlo’s UT line featured roughly 20+ designs of T-shirts, hoodies, slippers, and tote bags, each showcasing KAWS versions of Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, and Oscar with “XX” eyes. The pieces emphasized everyday accessibility and global reach. (1)

Plush Release (2018)
The plush figures—Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie—retail-priced at $40 each and capped at one per customer, quickly became the most sought-after part of the release. A box set of all five plushes retailed for approximately $199.90. These plushes now dominate KAWS collector logs due to their original retail access and undeniable pop culture appeal. (2)

Pricing & Collectibility
Initial plush retail was $39.90; today, resale values often range from $60 to over $100 per individual character, with complete boxed sets commanding upward of $250 depending on condition and provenance. Apparel sees moderate appreciation, while plushes are the primary collectible. (2, 3)

Why It Matters
The plushes are standout collectibles in KAWS’ mass-market collaborations, combining nostalgia, accessible price point, and limited supply. This capsule demonstrated how mainstream retail can generate artist-grade items that become collectors’ touchstones.