She — and Kitty is a she, according to the company that owns her — may have been conceived as a vessel for the feelings of others, but some women see an empowering symbol in her mouthless face.

The company wanted designs embodying “kawaii,” a Japanese term for cuteness, and the 24-year-old’s cat-like creation was inspired by a kitten her father had given her as a gift.

A display of "Hello Kitty" items are seen at a press preview of the "CUTE" exhibition at Somerset House in London, England, on January 24, 2024.

She — and Kitty is a she, according to the company that owns her — may have been conceived as a vessel for the feelings of others, but some women see an empowering symbol in her mouthless face.

By Oscar Holland, Hanako Montgomery and Junko Ogura, CNN (CNN) — She weighs three apples and stands five apples tall. She enjoys baking cookies and dreams of being a pianist or poet. And now ...

TOKYO — Hello Kitty turned 50 on Friday. Befitting a pop icon at midlife, the bubble-headed, bow-wearing character’s fictional birthday has brought museum exhibits, a theme park spectacle and ...

By Oscar Holland, Hanako Montgomery and Junko Ogura, CNN (CNN) — She weighs three apples and stands five apples tall. She enjoys baking cookies and ...

By YURI KAGEYAMA and LISA LEFF TOKYO (AP) — Hello Kitty turns 50 on Friday. Befitting a pop icon at midlife, the bubble-headed, bow-wearing character’s fictional birthday has brought mu… ...

Japan Hello Kitty at 50 Yuko Akiyama, one of the directors at Sanrio, speaks to the media during the exhibition "As I change, so does she," marking the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty at the Tokyo ...

TOKYO (AP) — Hello Kitty turns 50 on Friday. Befitting a pop icon at midlife, the bubble-headed, bow-wearing character’s fictional birthday has brought museum exhibits, a theme park spectacle ...