Sanrio surprised the entertainment and fashion world with a collaboration that celebrates the best of two cultural icons: Hello Kitty and Bruno Mars.
This collaboration was born in honor of Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary. It started with the singer’s Christmas residency in Las Vegas, and recently, the alliance launched an exclusive collection in Sanrio’s online store.
This is what the Hello Kitty x Bruno Mars collaboration looks like
The collaboration was available at The Park MGM and in external stores to the venue where Bruno Mars’s residency took place. During the first weeks of January and until February 1, you can purchase the items on the Sanrio website.
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According to Craig Takiguchi, COO of Sanrio, this alliance “brings together communities around two massive cultural icons” and “uniquely fuses the worlds of music, fashion, and pop culture.” After the success of their first collaboration with Bruno Mars, it was clear that fans wanted more. Now, the new collection puts the finishing touch on Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
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Bruno Mars and his impact on pop culture
The singer, who has fifteen Grammy Awards and is one of the most-streamed artists on Spotify, has left an indelible mark on music and global culture. With recent hits like “APT.” alongside ROSÉ and “Die With A Smile” with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars has proven to be a creative benchmark that connects with audiences of all ages. His positive energy and unique style make him the perfect complement to Sanrio’s philosophy of “connecting the world with smiles.”
Hello Kitty: over 50 years of cuteness and connection
Since its creation in 1974, Hello Kitty has been a symbol of friendship and happiness for millions of people. With a presence in more than 130 countries, Sanrio has taken the kawaii essence to new levels through products, animated series, video games, and theme parks. This collaboration with Bruno Mars reaffirms their commitment to offering unique and unforgettable experiences to their followers.
What does Sanrio mean in Japanese?
The name “Sanrio” is a combination of two words in Japanese:
- “San” (山): meaning “mountain.”
- “Rio” (リオ): an adaptation of the Spanish word “río,” meaning “river.”
Why is the Hello Kitty brand called Sanrio?
The choice of the name “Sanrio” reflects the company’s philosophy of connecting people like a river flowing from the mountains to the sea. Shintaro Tsuji, the founder of Sanrio, believed in the power of communication and friendship, and he wanted his company to serve as a bridge that unites people through products that convey positive emotions.
“Sanrio was established with the desire to build a peaceful culture on the banks of rivers, where humans are said to have first built their homes. The hope was to create a community of people who could live in harmony and consideration for one another.
“By offering a variety of social, communication, and gift products, including greeting cards, music, videos, books, and live entertainment to foster friendship, we hope to expand the circle of friendship and goodwill to every corner of the world like water flowing through the world’s rivers,” explains Shintaro Tsuji on the origin of Sanrio.
Who owns Sanrio, the creator of Hello Kitty?
Sanrio was founded by Shintaro Tsuji in 1960. Originally called Yamanashi Silk, the company began by selling silk products. Over time, Tsuji transformed the business into what we now know as Sanrio.
Currently, the company remains family-owned, and in 2020, Shintaro’s grandson, Tomokuni Tsuji, took over as CEO.
