Hello Kitty, created in 1974 by Sanrio’s Ikuko Shimizu, celebrates her golden anniversary this year. At 50, the fictional feline is still as relevant as ever, gracing numerous lines of merchandise from home goods to stationary to makeup, raking in $3.8 billion in annual retail sales globally in 2022.
Over the years, labels such as Tarina Tarantino, Balenciaga and GCDS have made Hello Kitty their muse, plastering the character’s iconic face — and signature bow — on designer handbags, footwear, jewelry and clothing.
“Hello Kitty is an icon of my generation and fully represents the 2000s aesthetic to which I have been referring since the beginning of my path at Blumarine,” former creative director Nicola Brognano told WWD in 2021.
Ahead, ring in Hello Kitty’s 50th birthday with a look back at several noteworthy collaborations.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Anteprima
Image Credit: Getty Images Amy and Aya Suzuki carry Hello Kitty Anteprima handbags in 2024.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Anteprima
Image Credit: Getty Images Paris Hilton carries a Hello Kitty Anteprima handbag in 2009.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Balenciaga
Image Credit: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images The Hello Kitty Ville handbag displayed at Balenciaga’s spring 2020 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Balenciaga
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images The Hello Kitty Ville handbag displayed at Balenciaga’s spring 2020 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Balenciaga
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images The Hello Kitty Ville handbag displayed at Balenciaga’s spring 2020 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: The Blonds
Image Credit: Getty Images Katy Perry wears a Hello Kitty corset made by The Blonds at the 2009 Brit Awards
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Blumarine
Blumarine’s Hello Kitty capsule collection.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Blumarine
Blumarine’s Hello Kitty capsule collection.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Courrèges
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images Courrèges’ Hello Kitty collaboration.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Courrèges
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images Courrèges’ Hello Kitty collaboration.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: GCDS
Image Credit: Getty Images A Hello Kitty handbag on the runway at GCDS’ spring 2020 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: GCDS
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Hello Kitty boots on the runway at GCDS’ spring 2020 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: GCDS
Image Credit: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images A Hello Kitty sweater on the runway at GCDS’ fall 2022 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: GCDS
Image Credit: Getty Images A Hello Kitty bra top on the runway at GCDS’ fall 2024 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: GK Reid
Image Credit: Bravo/NBCUniversal via Getty Ima Lady Gaga wears a gown made of Hello Kitty plushies in 2009.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Heatherette
Image Credit: WireImage Heatherette’s spring 2003 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Heatherette
Image Credit: WireImage Heatherette’s spring 2003 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Heatherette
Image Credit: FilmMagic, Inc Paris Hilton walks in Heatherette’s fall 2003 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Heatherette
Image Credit: FilmMagic, Inc Heatherette’s fall 2003 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Heatherette
Image Credit: Getty Images Heatherette’s fall 2003 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Heatherette
Image Credit: FilmMagic, Inc Heatherette’s fall 2003 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Heatherette
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images Heatherette’s fall 2004 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: JimmyPaul
Image Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images JimmyPaul’s spring 2020 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: JimmyPaul
Image Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images JimmyPaul’s spring 2020 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: JimmyPaul
Image Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images JimmyPaul’s spring 2020 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Judith Leiber
Image Credit: FilmMagic Fran Drescher holds a Hello Kitty diamond-encrusted clutch codesigned by Judith Leiber and Kimora Lee Simmons in 2005.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Judith Leiber
Image Credit: FilmMagic Bethenny Frankel carries a Judith Leiber Hello Kitty purse in 2011.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Leaf Xia
Image Credit: Getty Images for Leaf Xia Leaf Xia’s fall 2019 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Leaf Xia
Image Credit: Getty Images for Leaf Xia Leaf Xia’s fall 2019 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Leaf Xia
Image Credit: Getty Images for Leaf Xia Leaf Xia’s fall 2019 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Leaf Xia
Image Credit: Getty Images for Leaf Xia Leaf Xia’s fall 2019 fashion show.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Kimora Lee Simmons
Image Credit: NY Daily News via Getty Images Kimora Lee Simmons wears a diamond Hello Kitty pendant from her Simmons Jewelry Co. collaboration with Sanrio in 2005.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Kimora Lee Simmons
Image Credit: WireImage for InStyle Magazine Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty jewelry in 2006.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Kimora Lee Simmons
Image Credit: WireImage Rihanna wears a Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty necklace in 2006.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Soulland
Image Credit: Getty Images Yu Masui wears a Soulland Hello Kitty shirt in 2023.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Soulland
Image Credit: Getty Images A guest at Copenhagen Fashion Week wears a Soulland Hello Kitty skirt in 2023.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Tarina Tarantino
Image Credit: WireImage for Fingerprint Commun Hello Kitty x Tarina Tarantino jewelry in 2005.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Tarina Tarantino
Image Credit: WireImage Cameron Diaz wearing a Hello Kitty x Tarina Tarantino necklace in 2003.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Tarina Tarantino
Image Credit: WireImage for Backstage Creation Paris Hilton wearing a Hello Kitty x Tarina Tarantino necklace in 2004.
-
Hello Kitty Fashion Collaborations Through the Years: Tarina Tarantino
Image Credit: WireImage Dakota Fanning wearing a Hello Kitty x Tarina Tarantino necklace in 2007.