Cuteness Overload at Hello Kitty's 35th-Anniversary Party
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Sanrio’s cultural icon Hello Kitty, Culver City-based Royal/T gallery and café hosted a kick-off party for the Three Apples exhibition—transforming the space into a Sanrio wonderland…or my own Hello Kitty dream home, complete with a pink-outfitted Hello Kitty Airstream trailer.
Hanging from every possible space were wall-to-wall Hello Kitty products and artwork from more than 80 artists, whose creations were curated by L.A. boutique JapanLA especially for the exhibit. The work on display, which included pieces by Gary Baseman, Buff Monster, and tokidoki’s Simone Legno, featured each artist's own interpretation of Hello Kitty—my favorite was the life-size figurine of a futuristic Hello Kitty by Colin Christian.
The event was part art show, part anniversary party and all cuteness overload. Guests included Hello Kitty head designer Yuko Yamaguchi, Linkin Park’s Joseph Hahn, Pete Wentz, Dave Navarro, Kimora Lee Simmons and Paris Hilton. But the ones that stood out among the crowd were girls adorned in Harajuku-Girl-worthy babydoll dresses, rainbow-hued wigs and oversized hairbows.
Hello Kitty fan and collaborator Tarina Tarantino was also in attendance. The 7-year-old Hello Kitty and Tarantino jewerly line known as Pinkhead was one of the first Sanrio designer co-brands in the United States. “Hello Kitty has been a big inspiration,” Tarantino said. “And it’s been an incredible part of our own brand’s history.”
The celebration continues until Nov. 15 and will include special workshops and fan appreciation days.
Designer Tarina Tarantino
Artwork by tokidoki's Simone Legno
Can I live here, please?
By artist Colin Christian
PHOTOS BY KELLY RAE HICKMAN
