In honor of its 50th anniversary, Sanrio has landed in Los Angeles with its 10-day carnival Small Gift L.A., going on now until November 21 at the Santa Monica Airport!
As soon as I walked past the food trucks and stepped into the hangar at the event’s press preview party last week, I was in a completely different world. Giant character heads floated from the ceiling, a ferris wheel rotated just as high, carnival games and foods and art pieces were just a walk away — oh my! To describe the night in one word, I’d use: dreamland!
To add to all the delightful imagery were the enchanted fans who also put on their own display with their dashing outfits. Like this trio who paired their glamorous Sanrio-inspired dresses with sparkly platforms.
Move over fellow penguin Badtz-Maru because Penguin Sam is dressing Renee!
These girls created a scene with their quite wearable outfits (considering) and had a blast roaming around the event.
Three cheers for the red, white, blue and Hello Kitty on Veteran’s Day.
Crochet guru Twinkie Chan (check her out in our upcoming Winter 2010-11 issue) in her own crocheted KerokeroKeroppi dress!
Other than wine, who knew red and white could be so fluid and tasteful?
It wasn’t just character-driven getups, either. Plenty of guests showed up in less obvious but still fun looks. Domonique’s well-fitting spandex dress is her own creation.
Sisters Laura and Lisa Ling didn’t need an outrageous outfit to stand out. Lisa added how she loves Audrey!
Color chemist Ann-Marie wears a drapey dress accented by robotic straps. Love the haute-y zebra hat paired with a beat-up lawyer’s bag.
Check the checks on Onch, Paris Hilton’s one-time BFF contestant (center), posing with artist Miss Kika, left, and friend.
It was a jungle out there! And it did not smell like a bed of roses.
This photo does not do the rubbery-shiny material of her dress justice.
Johnny Cupcakes x Hello Kitty is their biggest collaboration yet, said L.A. rep Lennard (right).
Even though he claimed he wasn’t Hello Kitty’s biggest fan, many Sanrio lovers became fans of him.
Sanrio’s Small Gift celebrations will be popping up all over the US until December. The LA event in Barker Hanger in Santa Monica will last until Nov. 21. Get your cute on while you can!
Last night was the press preview party for Small Gift L.A., a 10-day carnival full of Hello Kitty and Sanrio goodness in Santa Monica, Calif. Wow, was it a doozy! Hello Kitty goodness galore! From Kitty cars to Kitty art to a giant Kitty ferris wheel and miniature golf course. We gorged ourselves on free Pink’s hotdogs and Beard Papa’s cream puffs, played free Ms. Pac-man and Galaga, and got gussied up with Hello Kitty’s new makeup line launching at Sephora in January. I felt like I was 8 again (and in a very, very good way).
Don’t worry if you missed it. Not only is the carnival free until November 21, they’re having a special nerd party this Saturday the 13th.
You may not have been able to attend the fat press preview party, but we snagged three extra gift bags just for our readers! It includes Small Gift, Sanrio’s exclusive 50th Anniversary book, and a whole slew of the cutest, happiest, cutest (did I mention cutest?) happy-goodness I’ve seen in a long time.
To win:
1) Look through our previous posts and comment on three of them.
2) On the comments section below THIS post, tell us which three posts you commented on AND tell me who your favorite Sanrio character was growing up (mine were Keroppi, Little Twin Stars, and of course, My Melody — I’m old school that way)
We will select the best comments to win. An @audreymagazine tweet will also count as a comment! Giveaway submissions end Wednesday, November 17, 11:59 pm. As usual, a U.S. mailing address is required.
Good luck! (And more info on carnival here and on the nerd party below.)
Without a doubt, Hello Kitty is without a mouth. But did you know that this feline’s favorite food is her mother’s apple pie? I know I would like a slice of that $400 million dollar fortune (from Hello Kitty alone).
As much as Hello Kitty loves a homemade treat, Sanrio fans can now also treat themselves to a spectacular celebration. Sanrio is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Small Gift: Celebrating 50 Years of Sanrio, with a traveling pop-up truck at a city near you.
In addition to their mobile pop-up shop tour, from Seattle to NYC, Sanrio will be holding a special Small Gift L.A. event in Los Angeles from November 12 to 21.
Limited edition items will be on sale, including special product collaborations with Lomography, Mimoco and tokidoki, characters will be available for photo ops, artists will showcase their pieces, and interactive activities and opportunities like video games are in store.
Oh, and did I forget to mention a bona fide carnival? Whee!
Founded in 1960 by Mr. Shintaro Tsuji, Sanrio follows the gift-giving philosophy of “small gift, big smile.” Sanrio has been a type of gateway for Japan and the world; Hello Kitty has been a UNICEF child ambassador for the U.S since 1983 and Japan since 1994. In addition, the stories behind her missing mouth is a symbol for her universal language, in which she speaks from her heart.
Hello Kitty may steal most of the thunder, but she should take a bow. This star has made way for others like Keroppi, Pochacco, Spottie Dottie and Cinamoroll, who just so happen to be my alternative favorites.
DETAILS
Small Gift Mobile Pop Up Shop Tour
October – December 2010
From Seattle to NYC, find out when the tour is coming to a city near you here.
November 12 – 21, 2010
Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405
For more info, click here.
