How Hello Kitty Took Over the World (and Our Hearts)

Published

November 1, 2019

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For anyone who believes cats are tiny, furry masterminds planning to take over the world, well, I have news for you; that already happened.

Hello Kitty, the adorable and/or creepy (depending on how you look at it) character from Sanrio, is everywhere—everywhere. From the usual suspects like stuffed animals and backpacks to the bizarre—engine oil, guitars, and a high-end clutch)–this fine little feline makes roughly $6 billion per year with her empire. Here’s how she grew from her humble beginnings in Tokyo to a worldwide phenomenon.

Theresa Christine Johnson

Theresa entered the world of design through The Dieline. With a background in writing and journalism, she has a passion for discovery and cultivating human connections. Her work for The Dieline is a constant journey to deeply understand all facets of the design process and to investigate what makes designers tick. Theresa’s writing has taken her snorkeling in between the tectonic plates in Iceland, horseback riding through a rural Brazilian town, and riding an octopus art car at Burning Man with Susan Sarandon as part of a funeral procession for Timothy Leary (long story). When not writing, she is planning her next trip or taking too many pictures of her cat.