The ugly frog is transformed into a handsome and dapper prince by a simple, heartfelt kiss. He becomes beautiful because the princess believes he is so, a sentiment also reflected throughout fashion's history. The tale of the polka dot is no different; it's troubled childhood took place during the medieval era, where it became infamous for its visual comparison to the scattered and circular appearance of measles, boils and other infections. At the height of the renaissance, the polka dot began to earn a more tolerable reputation in cosmetics in a trend known as "patching." Also referred to as "moucheron," which translates from French into "little fly," patching involved  women strategically attaching circular pieces of fabric to cover up facial blemishes. 

It was the 20th century that truly saw the beginning of the polka dot's lasting role in fashion history. In 1928, Micky Mouse's female companion, Minnie, was born in the Walt Disney illustration studio dressed in a polka dot skirt, a trademark of the animated icon. During the 1940's and '50s, the polka dot graced the gowns of female celebrities from Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor, during the same time period Christian Dior began to release his notable hourglass dresses in spotted prints. The polka dot dress became a staple for Lucille Ball's wardrobe in I Love Lucy. Gaining global recognition, the polka dot has not looked back towards it's troubled past. Time has only brought continuous success to the polka dot; Marvel comic books created a superhero in its likeliness, Mr. Polka Dot! And how can we forget Brian Hyland's 1960 hit "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"? To this day, the polka dot makes a continuous appearance in fashion week. It's a favorite motif among designers such as Rei Kawakubo of Comme Des Garcons, Miuccia Prada and Stella McCartney. In a documented meeting between Marc Jacobs and Yayoi Kasama, the Japanese visual artist gave the fashion designer a rendition of his own Louis Vuitton bag decorated in her signature polka dot cascade. While the exchange signified a collaboration that could have been but never was,  Kasama's influence can still be seen in Jacob's Fall 2011 collection. 

Patching, or "Moucheron"

Minnie Mouse makes an early appearance in Disney's Steamboat Willie, 1928

Elizabeth Taylor wears polka dots, 1945

Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy, 1951-1960

Louise Dahl-Wolfe photographed Marry Jane Russell, wearing Christian Dior 

Marilyn Monroe shows off her own teenie weenie polka dot bikini nine years before the Brian Hyland song was released in this seaside portrait, 1951.

Mr. Polka Dot compares looks with Batman in the 1962 Marvel comic

Emanuel Ungaro kicked off the 80's with this polka dot clad collection

This 1992 Comme Des Garcons collection marked the beginning of Rei Kawakubo's continuous love affair with the polka dot

Sarah Moon's 1996 photograph "La Robe a Pois"

Bombalurina's rendition of Brian Hyland's original song

Comme Des Garcons Fall 2006 RTW

Comme Des Garcons Fall 2008 Menswear

Comme Des Garcon Spring 2008 RTW

Jennifer Connelly, 2008

Comme Des Garcon Fall 2009 Menswear

Comme Des Garcon Spring 2010

Josh Goot Spring 2010 RTW

Thom Browne Spring 2010 Menswear 

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2010 RTW

Balenciaga Spring 2011 RTW

Miu Miu 2011 Resort 

Marni Fall 2011 Menswear 

Paul Smith Fall 2011 RTW

Stella McCartney Fall 2011 RTW

Comme Des Garcons Fall 2011 RTW

Comme Des Garcons Fall 2011 Menswear 

Comme Des Garcons and H&M collaboration

Artist Yayoi Kasama shows off one of her many polka dot creations

Marc Jacobs and Kasama discussing art and life in Japan

Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 RTW

Written and Compiled by Jake Levy