Hello Kitty Welcomes a Litter of New Products

The first Hello Kitty item was a plastic coin purse based on a Japanese design created in 1974. The kitty in question was a female white bobtail cat sporting a red bow around her neck. Hello Kitty came to the United States in 1976 where she took the country by storm. Although the initial market for the design was pre-teen girls, the popularity of the icon grew and now includes adults as well. The design appears on all kinds of products ranging from school supplies to fashion accessories and even high-end products.

Hello Kitty has also had a life on the screen, with several TV series, mostly aimed at young children. There are several Japanese theme parks built around this iconic cat, including one called Harmonyland, and an indoor park known as Sanrio Puroland.

Although Kitty is Japanese, her official profile says she was born in a London, England suburb and has a twin sister, Mimmy. Kitty even has a pet kitty, a white Persian cat named Chammo Kitty. Hello Kitty is internationally famous with a multi-category litter of licensed products sporting her face and body.

Hello Kitty Makes Gardens Grow

In 2004, two brothers set out to put their combined background in design, production and retail together and have succeeded. They pride themselves by keeping on top of market trends and provide superb customer service. BB Designs has had particular success with their license of a large line of Hello Kitty products with offerings from Hello Kitty Collectables, Classic, Jewelry and Prep 1976 lines.

Their newest line is the Hello Kitty Garden Set complete with every item a young gardener could desire. Start with three garden tools and add gloves to keep small hands (relatively) clean as well as a kneeling pad, garden tool tote and flower pot, all in a red Hello Kitty print. Also available separately is another kneeling pad in the shape of Kitty’s head, while a watering can, bucket, and raincoat round out the collection. A small wheelbarrow completes the garden offerings.

For shoppers looking for a girly-girl item, stock the Hello Kitty Jewelry Box that measures 6.1”x9.8”x5.1”. There is also a Hello Kitty Jewelry Case that swivels open.

No Hello Kitty enthusiast would be without just the right picture frame. BB Designs offers frames for the Graduate, a Good Luck frame, a You Rock look and one for the Birthday Girl. There are Love Bug, Birthday Girl and Good Luck figurines as well as a 3D Coin Bank that is more than four inches tall and shows Kitty in the traditional white with a red bow on her head.

Fun with Kitty: www.bbdesignsonline.com

Dream On with Hello Kitty

Barefoot Dreams introduces its Hello Kitty kid’s collection and combines their signature CozyChic with irresistible Hello Kitty embroidered patches. The line offers precious products children will naturally want to snuggle up to.

Customers will want to welcome a newborn with a CozyChic Hello Kitty receiving blanket embroidered with a pearlized satin design that reads “cuddle me, dream with me”, available in pink or white. Another winner is the Infant Gown and Hat Deluxe Set designed to snuggle a baby yet still be highly functional as the elastic bottom makes changing a breeze.

A Hello Kitty mini blanket is just as soft as the larger version and reads “grow with me”. A tiny charmer, the mini is just the right size for a tot to tote everywhere.

The Signature Plush Receiving Blanket is a Barefoot Dreams original. The Hello Kitty motif features the kitty soundly asleep on a pink/cream ground with a silky satin design.

For a toddler, offer the Big Kid Hello Kitty blanket featuring Kitty’s head above a field of flowers. At 45 by 60 inches and made of polymicrofiber, this blanket makes naptime a wonderful experience.

Say hello to www.barefootdreams.com

News from Sanrio, Where Hello Kitty Began

Sanrio, dubbed the “official home of everything Hello Kitty”, started as a company that produced rubber sandals in 1962. The company founder quickly observed that adding a cartoon character to items made cash registers ring, and added Hello Kitty to the growing lineup in 1974. Today’s company has offices, stores, theme parks and even an eating spot in Hawaii.

The newest items for the holidays and after include Hello Kitty luggage with a 16 inch square rolling piece that has a molded plastic front with a Hello Kitty face embossed on it, available in black, white or silver. A hooded bathrobe in a Hello Kitty print has red ties at the waist and Kitty’s face forms the hood. Kids can wear the robe with slippers that have a similar print with plush uppers.

To brave the great outdoors, show the winter hat in white with ear flaps and a Hello Kitty face and red bow on the top. For shoppers who want something groovier than the hat, stock plush ear muffs that feature the Hello Kitty face with her bow on each piece.

For customers looking for bags, you won’t go wrong with a faux leather tote with an ultra-cute satin bow and antique-inspired Hello Kitty photo. The bag has a satin polyester lining and a handy inside pocket to stash treasures.

For all things Hello Kitty: www.sanrio.com