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.

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 (per unit) retail was approximately $39.90; today, resale values often range from $60 to over $100 per individual character, with complete boxed sets commanding upward of $350-$400 USD depending on condition and provenance.

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.