She has nine tiny triangles for a face, a simple white form, and six decades of captivating every generation she encounters. This summer, Miffy — the little white bunny created by Dutch artist Dick Bruna in 1955 — has arrived at Starbucks locations across the US and Canada, dressed in a green apron and carrying an entire collection of drinkware, plush, and accessories that has collectors scrambling.
Who Is Miffy? A 71-Year Origin Story
A rainy day, a Dutch coast, and a tiny white rabbit
The little white bunny at the heart of this collaboration has been captivating readers since 1955, when Dutch artist Dick Bruna first sketched her to entertain his young son on a rainy day at home. What began as a simple picture book grew into one of the most widely recognized characters in global publishing, with more than 85 million copies of Bruna's books sold and translations into 50 languages.
Miffy's design is deceptively simple: a white bunny rendered in Bruna's signature bold outlines and flat primary colors, with a face made of two black dots for eyes and two lines crossed into a tiny X for a mouth. That minimalism is the whole point. Bruna believed children's illustration should be stripped to its essence — that the most expressive images are the ones with the least in them. Seven decades of children proved him right.
What makes Miffy enduring is her multigenerational quality. "Miffy is multigenerational," said Krystn Fuerst, who led the collaboration with Miffy for Starbucks. "People enjoy her retro charm whether they grew up with her or are finding her now." She is simultaneously nostalgic for people who had her books as children, and fresh for people discovering her now through aesthetics, collector culture, and the current appetite for "calm, cute" design that Labubu and Sonny Angel have also tapped into.
How This Came Together
For Krystn Fuerst, who led the collaboration with Miffy for Starbucks, it's their shared sense of joy and optimism that brought the coffee company together with the beloved bunny. "We really felt a connection through her curiosity and gentle nature. I think that's what people love about her. We wanted her character to come alive through our signature drinkware to bring something new to Miffy fans and Starbucks customers."
On the Miffy side, the brand's US and Canada representative pointed to the character's multigenerational appeal, noting that her ability to connect with people through simple, expressive color makes the collaboration feel natural for both audiences. The summery pinks, greens, and punches of poppy red that run through the collection are entirely at home in both Miffy's world and Starbucks' visual language.
The Bearista Comparison
Starbucks tumbler drops — including last November's Bearista launch — already generate fast sellouts and resale buzz. Adding Miffy's global fandom and social-media appeal could supercharge demand. The Bearista cup generated a 37.8% spike in store visits compared to the brand's 12-month daily average on launch day. Given Miffy's deeper international pedigree and multigenerational fanbase, analysts expect the Miffy drop to perform comparably if not beyond it.
Every Item in the Collection
The collection is split into two tiers: in-store items available at any participating Starbucks location in the US and Canada, and online-exclusive items available only to Starbucks Rewards Reserve members through the app. If you want the big plush, the nylon tote, or the zippered pouch — you need to be in the Rewards program.
Get the Barista Plush
The Collector Logic
Starbucks merchandise drops operate on a specific logic: limited time, available at thousands of locations, but produced in quantities that still run out. The collection had already proven popular in Singapore and across Asia Pacific, generating enough enthusiasm among North American fans that the US and Canada launch became one of the more anticipated collaborations of the season. Given the response from those earlier markets, the expectation is that the collection will move quickly once it hits shelves.
The resale market has already responded. Miffy Starbucks collectibles on eBay include clear cold cups, plastic tumblers with lids and straws, and the Grande plush as an online exclusive — with listings active within days of launch. The stainless steel cold cup with its US-exclusive pop art design and the Grande Miffy plush are the two pieces most likely to see sustained resale value, given their limited availability within an already limited collection.
The broader context matters too. Starbucks is in the middle of a genuine brand turnaround under CEO Brian Niccol — global comparable store sales increased 6.2% year over year in Q2 FY2026, with US comparable transactions rising 4.3%. Merchandise collaborations like Miffy are a key part of that recovery strategy: they drive in-store traffic, fuel social media, and give customers a reason to visit on launch day that goes beyond the drink menu.
The Bearista Precedent
In November 2025, the launch of the Bearista cup generated a 37.8% spike in visits compared to the brand's 12-month daily average, with elevated traffic sustained in the weeks that followed. Miffy's global footprint and multigenerational fanbase are larger than Bearista's — making this the higher-stakes drop. If you want the plush, the stainless pop art cup, or the Rewards-exclusive Grande, the Bearista launch tells you what to expect: move early.
Get the Barista Plush
Find Miffy at Starbucks
Available in-store at participating US and Canada locations. Rewards-exclusive items via the Starbucks app.
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