Hello Kitty exhibition opens in Hong Kong as icon celebrates 40th birthday
Is she a cat? A schoolgirl called Kitty White? Or a cultural phenomenon that some are still grappling to understand? Love her or hate her, Hello Kitty is one of Hong Kong's favourite obsessions and this petite idol (without a mouth) - measuring five apples tall and three apples in weight - celebrates her 40th birthday on November 1.
Created by illustrator Yuko Shimizu for Sanrio in 1974, the anthropomorphic cat was an instant hit, boosting the Japanese company's sales of everything she appeared on - from stationary to kitchen supplies.
She may be middle-aged (40 in human years, in cat years she'd be well over 150), Hello Kitty is still going strong: bringing in billions of US dollars in retail revenue.
Fans love her for being as (cute) as she is versatile - she has taken numerous roles over the years, from fairy to ninja, robot to pilot. She's starred in animated television series, opened theme parks, and dressed Lady Gaga. There is no doubt that Hello Kitty is a global phenomenon.
In Hong Kong, she's had a string of successful exhibitions, including in recent years the "Hello Kitty in Oz - The Lost Chapter" and "Ki-beta (Kitty Intelligence Beta)". The upcoming Hello Kitty Go Around!! event at Kitec in Kowloon Bay is likely to be a hit.
Opening on October 30, the carnival-themed event features a life-sized carousel and Ferris wheel, and seven stalls with games such as throwing newspapers onto Papa's windowsill, tossing hoops over Tiny Chum, and saving Kitty and her friends from being eaten by a big fish. All the game's prizes were designed especially for this fair.
"Previous expos were rich in RPG [role-playing game] and digital elements, but this year we're going back to basics," says Caroline Tsang, Sanrio's chief operation officer for Asia. "Many booths are infused with a Hong Kong touch - it's reminiscent of the former 'Lai Yuen' [Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park]."
Another highlight is a mini theatre featuring a three-minute video showing a day and night in the life of Sanrio Town. Visitors can try to spot all 40 Sanrio characters going about their daily business, including putting out a hill fire and being sent to jail. Very Hello Kitty.
There will also be designated areas for selfies: the Sanrio roller coaster, the Kitty temple, and the Mimi toy shop. If you're lucky, Kitty herself will be available on stage for photos.
To mark the actual birthday, Hello Kitty's third designer Yuko Yamaguchi will fly in to meet fans on November 8.
Hello Kitty Go Around!! October 31 to November 16, 11am-8pm, Kitec, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, HK$80-HK$150. Inquiries: [email protected]
NOT JUST FOR KIDS
“When I first meet people, they’re usually a bit surprised to discover I’m a Hello Kitty fan,” says Philip Chan, a property manager in his 40s. Chan proudly shows 48 Hours his smartphone cover, T-shirt and camera bag – all Hello Kitty themed.
His collection includes hundreds of Hello Kitty products, from souvenirs purchased overseas to collectibles from local convenience stores.
We ask Chan exactly what the appeal for this character is. It turns out, he was hooked in his youth.
“I started buying Hello Kitty stationary when I was in secondary school,” he says. “I like cats like Garfield and Felix, and Hello Kitty is definitely my favourite. I don’t know why.”
Fellow fan Winnie Lau has more than 2,000 Hello Kitty items at home.
“Some were bought online, some from trips to Japan, and some from local stores.”
Now that Lau, 30, is a mother, she also buys Hello Kitty items such as milk bottles and clothes with Kitty prints in Mong Kok or Causeway Bay for her children.
Chan’s most prized possession is a black Hello Kitty figure (above) with red eyes, a silver bow, and bat-like wings – which he designed in a Sanrioorganised competition.
“I came up with the idea of a ‘Death God Kitty’ after seeing ‘Angel Kitty’,” he recalls. “And I thought, ‘why not create an opposing persona?’.”
The recent brouhaha over Sanrio’s announcement that Hello Kitty was not really a cat upset Chan too.
“I really cannot accept that she is supposed to be a human being,” he says.
“Though, I won’t like her less because of it.”
So is Mrs Chan upset at her husband’s affection for Hello Kitty?
“No, she buys the products for me actually,” he says, chuckling. “But she isn’t a fan – she likes Snoopy better.”
Gloria Chan
Looking for more Kitty in the city?
- The Hello Kitty Go Green Organic Farm gogreenlife.com.hk launched in June, is a two year project to promote green living and environmental protection.
- Go and see the recently installed Hello Kitty wax figures at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
- At Hello Kitty Le Petit Cafe in Causeway Bay and the more recently opened Hello Kitty Secret Garden in Tai Hang, fans can enjoy coffee and Hello Kitty cakes.
Shop P101, The Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, The Peak, HK$240, inquiries: 2849 6966
Sze Pai Shek, Kam Tin, Yuen Long, inquiries: 5579 2178
Shop B12, B2/F, Sogo, 555 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, inquiries: 2831 8959
G/F, 19 Ormsby Street, Tai Hang, inquiries: 2808 2868
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