The Sanrio Carnival Rolls Into Town
For its 50th anniversary, Sanrio rolled into town last night bringing along with it a circus-style celebration under the bigtop of the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
As the Small Gift Mobile Pop-Up anniversary truck has been touring across the country and making stops to greet fans at several locations (check out the full schedule here), the Small Gift Los Angeles carnival officially opens today and will close on Nov. 21.
While Sanrio hopes that “small gifts bring big smiles,” any Hello Kitty devotee knows that the company has contributed so much more to pop culture, and the company treated partygoers to a ferris wheel, game booths, miniature-golf putting green, photobooths and a special anniversary pop-up shop featuring merchandise dedicated to the event with plenty of character retrospectives.
A few Hello Kitty collaborators debuted some of their products, such as the Sephora Hello Kitty makeup line set to be released in 2011 and Tokidoki anniversary tees featuring mash-ups of Tokidoki and Sanrio characters.
JapanLA also curated an exhibition of special pieces by artists such as 64 Colors, Anna Chambers, Buff Monster, Crowded Teeth, Dan Goodsell, Joe Ledbetter, Neivz, Peekaboo Monster, Plasticgod, Sharktoof and Tim Diet.
The dress code was super cute and supremely fantastical as Sanrio fans, gothic Lolitas and Harajuku girls made their way through the crowds armed with rainbow-hued wigs, whimsical hats, hairbows and anything print—polka dots and animal prints were popular choices.
Artists and designers Paul Frank Sunich, Tokidoki's Simone Legno, KimoraLee Simmons and Tarina Tarantino mingled with celebrity fans PeteWentz, Ashlee Simpson, Lisa Loeb and Erik “Ponch” Estrada.
Fair food, such as Pink's hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, Yogurtland treats and Beard Papa cream puffs, was served inside the hangar, while the Fishlips, Frysmith, Shrimp Pimp and Grilled Cheese food trucks parked outside for attendees dining al fresco.
In the upcoming days, Sanrio will host a fan appreciation day and workshops (including Bento-box lunch-making, cupcake decorating and beauty-tip sessions) as well as an I (Heart) Nerds Party and Retro 80s Prom night. For more information, check out the Small Gift Los Angeles website.
The Sephora Hello Kitty beauty collection
A partygoer dressed as cute as the art on the walls
Special anniversary merchandise
Wall 'o tees and cuteness
Anime girls on the red carpet
