The main star is Pegasus/unicorn cross Princess Twilight Sparkle. My Little Pony: The Movie, starring Emily Blunt and Zoe Saldana, is out in UK cinemas next week. The My Little Pony franchise had been through various makeovers since it launched in 1982, but the current incarnation – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic – made more than $1bn in 2015. TV and films are also overrun by unicorns.
“I think Instagram is the biggest contributor – like avocado in the food world, unicorns are perhaps the most ‘Instagrammable’ of all creatures.” With #unicorn at 7m posts and counting, she’s not wrong. Aisling McKeefry, head of womenswear non-clothing design at Asos, says that social media is a huge factor in the spread of this mythical beast. Kellogg’s has just launched Unicorn Froot Loops – their tagline: The Magic Has Landed. Currently Paperchase’s windows suggest you “Be More Unicorn”, a slogan for a stationery collection that runs to snow globes and rucksacks. At H&M you can buy a T-shirt for the Unicorn Fan Club. Topshop has unicorn headbands, pyjamas and nail polish.
