“I wanted Hello Kitty to become more energetic,” she said. “And since she was the face of Sanrio, and was born as a symbol of ...

Most people have heard of the beloved main mascot of Sanrio, Hello Kitty. You’ve seen her adorable face in toy shops, on mugs and shirts, and even television screens since the year 1975.

but some women see an empowering symbol in her mouthless face. “Shrewd” is how Mika Nishimura, a design professor at Tokyo’s Meisei University, describes the way Hello Kitty conquered the ...

Hello Kitty isn’t just a cute face — she’s a full-blown empire, and collectors are willing to drop serious cash for the most rare and luxurious pieces. From diamond-studded jewelry to ...