Sesame Street is celebrating its 45th birthday and 43 years on Australian screens with a gorgeous new series of pyjamas designed by Australian sleepwear icon Peter Alexander.
The multi award winning television show for pre-schoolers is well known for its array of colourful and quirky characters including Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Elmo, Oscar the Grouch and Grover.
What is not so well known, is that Sesame Street is a not-for-profit production of the New York-based Children’s Television Workshop (now called the Sesame Workshop).
Initially funded by the American government and private foundations with the aim of educating pre-school age children in the areas of literacy, numeracy, analytical and social skills, it is now self-supporting thanks to international sales and licensing agreements.
Featuring a multicultural cast, Sesame Street has also been fundamental in breaking down negative cultural stereotypes and helping children make sense of topics such as adoption, disability and death.
Sesame Workshop’s mission is to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Little wonder then that generations later, children are still being entertained and educated by the magic of Sesame Street.
Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?
The answer, it would seem, is via a Peter Alexander store.
Australian Peter Alexander was recently granted access to the Sesame Street set to photograph the new collection of sleepwear with a few ‘friends from the neighbourhood’.
“Who would have thought that at my age I would still have ‘firsts’. I’m so honoured to be involved in such a fun experience” says Peter Alexander.
“I spent the day having fun with Elmo, Cookie and the gang! Wow, I smiled the whole day,” he says.
Bringing out the inner child in all of us, the Sesame Street by Peter Alexander collection is inspired by all the things we love about our Sesame Street friends, including bright furry coats, yellow beak socks and Cookie Monster onesies for the kids.
The collection, designed for men, women and children, also features the much loved faces of Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, Count, Grover, and the unlikely flatmates, Bert and Ernie.
Pieces from the Kids Collection
It’s not just for the kids, there are adorable sleep wear for the adults too. Just take a look at the cute yellow fluffy robe and adorable Big Bird socks!
Women’s & Men’s Collection
Usually too busy eating cookies, Cookie Monster enjoyed his time with Peter Alexander: “Me love dressing up in pyjamas almost as much as me love going out ‘in the fur’. We took lots of pictures. Me almost feel famous.” says Cookie of his time in the limelight.
See the video below for a behind the scenes look of Peter Alexander’s visit to Sesame Street. You’ll love hearing the Australian accent being spoken on ‘da street’! You can also view the full Sesame Street by Peter Alexander collection online.
2 Comments
Nicole
April 9, 2015 at 1:22 pmGreat article, but Sesame Street is celebrating it’s 45th year on Australian television. The 45th season launched a few weeks ago!
Cath
April 9, 2015 at 8:39 pmThanks Nicole! Yes you’re right – they are currently broadcasting their 45th season. Sesame Street was first shown in America in 1969 and in Australia in 1971. 🙂