The Hello Kitty Watch As Hot Accessory

By Jennifer S.


Since the Seventies, she's been one of the most enduring images in little girls' bedrooms. Even when those little girls grew up, they still wouldn't entirely shun Kitty White. Many an adult woman still wears a Hello Kitty watch, T-shirt, bag or another item bearing the white cat's image.

The white feline character was created by Sanrio, a Japanese company. She first appeared in 1974. When she reached the United States in 1976, the character whose name is officially Kitty White was an instant hit. She has since taken the world by storm to become instantly recognizable almost everywhere, with a television series as well as theme parks in Japan. Her image can be seen on a variety of items, from appliances and computers to clothing and accessories. There is even an airplane bearing her face.

The character Kitty is a Japanese bobtail cat. However, the story is that she was born in London to parents George and Mary White. Her twin sister is called Mimmy and wears a bow on her right ear. The twins' birthday is November 1.

While Sanrio originally marketed the adorable kitten to little girls, in the Nineties they started creating products aimed at an older target market. Teenage girls and young women jumped at the chance to keep wearing their favorite childhood character's image into adulthood and still be fashionable. Today there are items like wristwatches in child-sized varieties as well as bigger sizes for grown-ups.

One of the most popular colors for designs built around the adorable character is pink. This color is used on watch faces and straps. Embellishments like pink rhinestones are everywhere, as are pink motifs like floral or heart shapes. This abundance of pink is a natural result of 'kawaii', a focus on cuteness, that is the staple of Sanrio's business.

A few years ago the designs have started moving away from the pink and overly girly to include more elegance and minimalism. White features more prominently in simpler designs, as do silver and gold. Black and red are popular color choices too.

Another popular trend is to have timepieces not only emblazoned with Kitty's face, but also with diamonds. This is part of the collection designed by Kimora Lee Simmons for upmarket department store Neiman Marcus. The collection is especially popular with celebrities and trendsetters willing to pay a few thousand dollars for an accessory that will add something whimsical to their look.

Simmons not only includes diamonds in her designs. She also includes other luxurious materials like mother-of-pearl. Stainless steel features too, with the motifs added in enamel. Some designs also include other gemstones, like sapphire insets. Alligator skin and leather straps add color, but you can also choose a design with a stainless-steel strap.

While not everybody can afford to buy a diamond Hello Kitty watch, the more basic versions are within most people's budget. If you want, you can even buy a few different designs. There is such a variety that you will always have an accessory matching your chosen outfit for the day.




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