USA: Hello Kitty designer brings new beauty line to New York

Record ID: 461848

  • Title: USA: Hello Kitty designer brings new beauty line to New York
  • Date: 18th March 2011
  • Summary: DESIGNER YUKO YAMAGUCHI POSING FOR PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) YUKO YAMAGUCHI, DESIGNER FOR HELLO KITTY, SAYING: "It's my job to make sure she's always cute so I feel like we are a team."
  • Embargoed: 2nd April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA1R5FUG385HFGRE8OD9W9QZ3AN
  • Story Text: Japanese designer Yuko Yamaguchi celebrated the company's new beauty line in New York, at retail store Sephora on Wednesday (March 16).
    The collection will be sold exclusively at Sephora stores worldwide and features a new trendy and classy flair. The line is targeted towards Hello Kitty collectors and makeup junkies alike and merges the brand's classic look with a high-end product and timeless applicators.
    Fans stood in line to meet Yamaguchi and to have their picture taken with her. Andrea Vargas said she has been a fan of Hello Kitty all her life.
    "Well I grew up with Hello Kitty. It's always been a part of everything, fashion, makeup well makeup now, my accessories it's something I've always grown fond of it's really girlie, said Vargas who came to the Manhattan event with two of her friends.
    The collection features Hello Kitty's signature aromas -- apple, strawberry and grapeseed. Guests had the opportunity to test out the products by having their makeup done in one of the two Hello Kitty Beauty looks -- Happy Fun or Super Fun.
    For almost 37 years women of all ages around the world have recognized Hello Kitty as an icon. Yamaguchi said Kitty has stood the test of time "because she's so cute".
    "It's my job to make sure she's always cute so I feel like we are a team," Yamaguchi told Reuters.
    The price point for the line ranges from $9 U.S. dollars (6 Euros) for a lip balm to $49 U.S. dollars (35 Euros) for a brush set. The collection is made up of items for lips, eyes and face, as well as nail lacquers, and an assortment of fragrances, brushes, compacts and clutches.
    Vargas was most excited about nail polish and lip glosses.
    "I already bought about fifty dollars worth of stuff," said Vargas.
    Christy Gillam and her daughter Mary Caroline from Jacksonville, Florida won an auction on Ebay in order to get platinum tickets for the event. Included in their prize packet were airfare, hotel accommodations and exclusive entry to the event.
    "It's like a merger of her two favorites, perfume and makeup meets Hello Kitty, nothing gets better than that," Christy said about her 12-year-old daughter.
    The money raised from the auction will benefit Starlight Children's Foundation.
    And while Yamaguchi was happy to be in New York, her thoughts were at home with the people of Japan suffering after a devastating earthquake and tsunami. The designer, who was in Tokyo at the time of the earthquake, said it was a frightening experience.
    "I send my deepest sympathy to those who have been affected by the disaster," said Yamaguchi.
    "I want to do my best along with Hello Kitty to help Japan that's in the most need right now," she added.
    Also included in the launch are limited edition Swarovski crystal encrusted hand mirrors and a molded Hello Kitty body-shaped case with brush sets. Only 100 of each item will be produced, with retail prices of $350.00 and $495.00 U.S. dollars, respectively.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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