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I’m dreaming of Kitty: One fashion designer’s love of Japan’s most famous feline

IS JAPAN COOL? Aug 21, 2013
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Romi Mizukami, a fashion designer for popular Japanese clothing brand BEAMS, is without a doubt one of Japan’s biggest Hello Kitty fans, or rather “Kittylers.” Her home is a veritable shrine to the little kitty that could, with blacks, whites, and reds as far as the eye can see, and for the past few years she has slowly incorporated the uniquely kawaii Hello Kitty style into not just her design work but her very own wardrobe.

Come on in and meet the real-life Kitty-chan!

Ms. Mizukami’s infatuation with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty began several years ago after seeing a t-shirt featuring the cat’s classic image at an exhibition. A talented fashion designer, she began incorporating the familiar feline’s form into her own designs and artwork, eventually producing an entire line of Kitty-themed clothes which her employer BEAMS picked up and began selling at their many outlets. Before she knew it, she was hooked, and well on her way to becoming a full-time Kittyler.

With a Kitty-themed hand mirror and iPhone case that she designed herself, Ms. Mizukami is an unmistakable figure around her workplace, and no doubt even on the busy streets of Tokyo. She loves to incorporate a little bit of Hello Kitty into her outfit each day, switching between subtle and full-on kitty mode, and even made her own extra-large red ribbon just for special occasions.

“We had a Kitty-themed company party on the roof of a hotel,” Ms. Mizukami explains, “DJ Kitty even came along to provide the music. I thought to myself ‘I really have to go as Kitty,’ so I made this ribbon for the event. DJ Kitty actually pointed it out during her set–I was absolutely thrilled!” she says, bursting into laughter.

But roughly how much Hello Kitty merchandise does Ms. Mizukami have in her apartment? Well, enough to turn into home furnishings, it would appear!

“I have a Kitty noren [a Japanese-style curtain] that I made out of my stuffed toys,” she laughs. “I had so many that I ran out of places to put them, so I decided to hang them up by their heads to make a noren for my window!”

Despite the thousands of unique Hello Kitty designs that exist all across Japan, it would seem that Ms. Mizukami is something of a Hello Kitty purist, and only interested in “classic kitty.”

“There is a wide variety of Hello Kitty styles,” she explains, “but for me, it has to be Kitty-chan from the 1970s; the one who wears blue overalls and is pictured sitting, looking over her right shoulder. That’s the only kind I like or buy. So when I dress, I focus on those colors–white, red, navy, maybe a bit of yellow.”

But just how far could this fascination really go? Color coordination is one thing, but does this Kittyler really feel that her love of Hello Kitty will continue long into the future? Apparently so!

“My dream? When I get married, I’d like to be dressed as Kitty-chan and have my husband be dressed as Daniel [Hello Kitty’s childhood friend]!” she beams. Clearly, this is one love affair that’s destined to last.

What do you think, RocketNews24 readers? Is Ms. Mizukami the height of kitty kawaii, or do you know a a worthier kitty queen? Cast your vote for cute here!

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