pop-culture
Hello Kitty: Design Secrets
Did you know Hello Kitty isn't a cat? She's a British schoolgirl, Kitty White, from London!
Hello Kitty Isn't a Cat
Sanrio officially states Hello Kitty is not a cat, but a perpetual third-grade British schoolgirl named Kitty White. She even has her own pet cat, Charmmy Kitty!
She's From London, Not Japan
Despite her Japanese origins, Sanrio established Hello Kitty's birthplace as the suburbs of London, England. This British identity is a key part of her global persona, appealing to Western markets.
Her Signature Mouthless Look
Hello Kitty's iconic design deliberately omits a mouth. This design choice lets fans project their own emotions onto her, allowing her to appear happy or sad with the viewer.
Meet Her Twin, Mimmy
Many don't know Hello Kitty has a twin sister, Mimmy. The easiest way to tell them apart is Mimmy wears her signature yellow bow on her right ear, while Kitty's is on her left.
Measured in Apples
Her official profile lists her height as 'five apples tall' and her weight as 'three apples'. This whimsical unit of measurement adds to her unique, childlike charm and universal appeal.
First Product Was a Coin Purse
Hello Kitty first appeared in 1974 on a small vinyl coin purse. It retailed for 240 yen, marking the modest beginning of what would become a multi-billion dollar global merchandise empire.
Original Creator, Yuko Shimizu
The original Hello Kitty design was created by Japanese artist Yuko Shimizu in 1974. She laid the foundation for the beloved character before other designers took over.