Whether you know a little girl in your life who loves Hello Kitty, or you’ve been a closet HK lover since childhood, you need to get yourself to Hello Kitty Con 2014 October 30th – November 2nd at The Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Hopefully you already have your ticket – this event is sold out, and over 25,000 fans are expected to attend.
The iconic cartoon character is celebrating 40 years of cuteness, and the cartoon’s creator, Sanrio, decided this convention, the first ever Hello Kitty Con, was the perfect way to celebrate. Young and old will come to see all of the fun events and los angeles trade shows , art on display, workshops, special guest speakers, and even tattoos.
What’s There?
Start by brushing up on your knowledge with a walk through the Hello Kitty Product Retrospective. All items on display are classic HK products on display from Sanrio’s collection, and includes the famous original Hello Kitty coin purse, the first time this item has ever been on display in the United States. It will be the history of HK in products!
Immerse yourself in everything HK in Hello Kitty’s Friendship Village and the Hello Kitty House. Yes, it’s a real-life home all decked out in everything HK, even on the outside!
Check out the great trade show exhibits with Sanrio merchandise for sale at the Super Supermarket. You’ll see a wide assortment of Sanrio products, including the new Hello Kitty Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Sign up for a Hello Kitty Visa. See the fun Hello Kitty Megablocks sets. If you’re a HK lover, your credit card will likely get a workout in this area! You’ll find Hello Kitty Con merchandise available in the Hello Kitty Friendship Station Pop-Up Shop, and rare collectible items in the Sanrio Vintage Shop. Maybe you’ll find that one item to complete your HK collection!
Of course, there will be numerous free crafts and activities, photo booths, and giveaways at various trade show booths, and get a first look at what’s to come for Hello Kitty. And don’t miss the costume contest!
Who’s There?
In case you wanted to know more about HK and what she means to her designers, there will be a variety of panels of speakers throughout the convention. This list includes HK’s head designer, Yuko Yamaguchi, Paul Frank of Paul Frank Industries and Park La Fun, and a fun panel called “Guys Love Hello Kitty Too” Featuring Oliver Juang, Prince Robbie, Marty Garrett, and Lias Garsys.
If you want to express to anyone who enters your home just how much you love the character, there is the extensive list of Hello Kitty Workshops. Each one will teach you creative ideas for “Hello Kitty-fying” your life. Each workshop is $10 (cost of materials used in the workshop). Choose to create Hello Kitty cookies, flower arrangements, or scrapbooks.
If you want to commemorate the event with a tattoo (because who doesn’t want a HK tattoo?), five tattoo artists have designed custom tattoos available to convention guests. There will be a tattoo contest, complete with prize, right there at the convention.
Didn’t Get Your Tix In Time?
If you have to miss it, stop by the Japanese American National Museum next door for the exhibit “Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty” now through April 26, 2015. This exhibit will look at Hello Kitty through the ages, complete with art direct from the Sanrio archive and other works inspired by the cute character.
If you consider yourself a foodie, you can participate in the Hello Kitty Hungry Hunt running until November 21st. Head to LA’s hottest restaurants in search of Hello Kitty themed food complete with souvenir pin to commemorate the occasion. You’ll find Hello Kitty doughnuts at Little Tokyo’s Cafe Dulce, special HK boba at Lollipop, and HK sausage served up at the Seoul Sausage food truck.