The KAWS Holiday series transformed Brian Donnelly's COMPANION character into a global cultural event. Understanding the series—its history, editions, and secondary market—is essential for any KAWS collector.
The Series Origin
The KAWS Holiday began in 2018 with a massive inflatable COMPANION floating on Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, viewed by an estimated 1 million people over five days. The corresponding limited edition figures and prints sold out in minutes and established a new chapter in KAWS's collectible market.
Holiday Series Timeline
- 2018 Hong Kong: Victoria Harbour installation; 4-foot inflatable figure, BFF edition
- 2019 Seoul: Seokchon Lake installation; expanded figure range; 1000% Bearbrick collaboration
- 2019 Taipei: Daan Park; companion floating edition
- 2020 Inner Mongolia: Snow landscape installation; extremely limited edition
- 2021 Space: COMPANION "launched" to space; prints and figures sold via AllRightsReserved
Secondary Market Performance
The original 2018 Hong Kong Holiday figures appreciated 400% within 18 months of release. The 2019 Seoul 1000% Bearbrick has traded above $12,000 (retail was approximately $3,000). Space edition figures have seen the most dramatic appreciation—up to 8x retail for sealed examples.
Authentication for Holiday Series
All official Holiday figures come with AllRightsReserved or KAWSONE packaging and documentation. Sealed in original box with tags adds a significant premium. Never buy without original packaging verification.
Browse KAWS Holiday and Companion figures at Gauntlet Gallery.
