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Where it came from: The face of Sanrio and a favorite of fashionistas of all ages, Hello Kitty was created in Japan by Sanrio designer Ikuko Shimizu in 1974, making her debut on a vinyl coin purse. Named for Alice’s cat Kitty in Lewis Carroll’s book Through the Looking Glass, she actually appeared on the scene 14 years after Sanrio began but soon became its signature character. In 1976, the cute cartoon critter found a new, adoring audience stateside with the opening of a Sanrio boutique in San Jose, California, and went on to take the world by storm. Today the brand nets more than $1 billion a year.
What it’s all about: Sanrio’s philosophy of “small gift, big smile” illustrates the belief that little things can and do mean a lot, especially if they happen to be cute! Every Sanrio product, from stationery to clothing to jewelry, is a gift that brings a smile to the recipient—even if she gave it to herself. And what does Hello Kitty have to say about Sanrio’s philosophy? Not a whole lot, given that she has no mouth. According to the company’s site, she doesn’t need one, as “Hello Kitty speaks from her heart. She’s Sanrio’s ambassador to the world and isn’t bound to any particular language.” The bottom line is that it’s all about happiness and friendship and the expression of both through gift-giving
Why we love it: Well, duh. It’s just so darn cute! It’s also fun and whimsical, reminding us that we’re all just big kids at heart and needn’t take ourselves or fashion too seriously. Hey, if it’s good enough for Rihanna (she carries her makeup in a green and blue Hello Kitty pouch), it’s good enough for us. And Mariah Carey, Cameron Diaz, Heidi Klum, Mandy Mooore, Carmen Electra, Paris Hilton and the list goes on. Even Barbie is a fan: a limited-edition Barbie doll decked out in custom Hello Kitty gear was issued in 2007. Last but not least, like Barbie, Hello Kitty has gone through myriad incarnations over the years and stood the test of time. She’s been an astronaut, a strawberry farmer, a disco queen and a unicorn jockey and is now an ambassador for Japanese tourism as well as a UNICEF Special Friend of Children. She even has her own amusement park in Tokyo. Mickey, eat your heart out!
