Photo by Nicole Park/Daily Titan Staff Writer

By Nicole Park
Daily Titan Staff Writer

Hello Kitty celebrated her 35th birthday at a Los Angeles bash that lasted more than three weeks. Royal/T, an eclectic Japanese cosplay (short for costume play) cafe in Culver City, was home to Three Apples, a Hello Kitty exhibit, which lasted from Oct. 23 – Nov. 15.

Fans of all ages could visit the tribute to a pop culture icon free of charge. The cute novelty convention featured original art, Hello Kitty memorabilia displays with rare, vintage and brand-new limited edition items, a display of a Hello Kitty apartment, a Sanrio “Pop-Up Shop” with limited edition items for purchase and a cafe with Hello Kitty-shaped treats. Special events were also held for no additional charge. Events included a Halloween party, Hello Kitty’s birthday party on Nov. 1, the Bats and Cats Masquerade gothic party on Nov.13 and a fashion show finale Saturday night.

The event was the first of its kind in the United States, according to the Sanrio, Inc. Web site, which says the celebration was, “Like nothing America has seen before!”

The signature mouth-less Japanese kitten made her debut in 1974 on a coin purse. Since then, Hello Kitty has expanded her line from chewing gum to diamond jewelry and a MAC cosmetics line.

Carrie Schoen, 23, proudly said she has been a fan, “Forever – kind of a long time.”

Nov. 14 was Schoen’s third visit to the temporary Hello Kitty museum. She said her love of “low-brow” art was what kept drawing her back to Royal/T for more Hello Kitty merchandise.

“I like the low-brow, underground stuff,” she said. Apparently, so do a lot of other people. Schoen said there was a five and a half hour wait to get into the “Pop-Up Shop” on opening day.

“I’m surprised there are still so many people here. Wow, it’s almost been a month and there is still a huge line to buy stuff,” Schoen said.

The large glass doors of Royal/T were open to any visitors looking to browse the exhibit to see Hello Kitty rarities behind display cases, admire the Hello Kitty-inspired art pieces or enjoy a light meal in the shape of Hello Kitty’s head, at the cafe. However, a line was almost always seen wrapping outside the ivy-covered venue. The line was strictly for entrance into the Three Apples’ “Pop-Up Shop”, where a limited number of patrons were allowed to browse the limited edition items at one time.

Schoen waited out the line in the cafe with her mother and enjoyed waffles in the shape of Hello Kitty’s head.

“They’re delicious. I bought a Hello Kitty waffle maker from Target, but I’ve just never opened it. Now I’m going to,” she said.

The “Pop-Up Shop” was set up only for the duration of the exhibit, and both the shop and its wares were available for a limited-time only. Schoen bought a Hello Kitty cover for her iTouch phone and a doll set, both items that could only be found at Three Apples.

Because the event was geared toward the hardcore fans and cosplayers or those who dress in costume, the name pays tribute to the lesser known details of Hello Kitty’s weight, which her official bio says is equal to three apples.

Melissa Mares, 18, enjoyed her second visit to Three Apples on Nov. 14. A regular cosplayer at Royal/T, Mares said her style of dress, lacy and puffy, was called “Lolita” fashion. The Hello Kitty fan said the style of dress is modeled after Marie Antoinette of the Enlightenment period, but Mares said Japanese culture adopted the style of dress in the 1980s, and has updated it since.

“We’ve loved Hello Kitty since we were kids,” she said, with a group of fellow Lolitas. The girls attend Royal/T events often, Mares said. The venue is Japanese-inspired and clean and includes a shop for Asian toys and collectibles, a cafe featuring Lolita waitresses and a versatile art space that changes often.

“It’s been really cool. It’s just Hello Kitty to the max. It’s awesome. Even at the Sanrio stores, there are a mix of characters, but this is all just Hello Kitty,” Mares said.

Despite the common sight of frilly Lolita dresses and the abundance of pink in the room, unabashed men were spotted throughout the venue.

Twenty-year-old Christian Santos-Castro was also visiting for a second time on Nov. 14. During his first visit, he bought a limited edition Three Apples keychain that was sold out on his return visit.

“Everything’s cool. Some of the stuff is not meant for men, but I can appreciate it for the art,” Santos-Castro said.

The final weekend included a Hello Kitty fashion show in which designers showed off their HK-inspired duds. The hip kitty herself made a strut down the runway.

Victoria Berry, 23, who was in attendance Saturday night, said, “The entire fashion show was like being inside of a HK-infused game of Candy Land. The designers’ garments inspired by her were fabulous. I would’ve worn any of them right off of the runway.”