I am a Sanrio Hello Kitty Collector, who is obsessed with collecting new and vintage items of characters like Pochacco, Keroppi, Little Twin Stars, My Melody, and Tuxie. By following my blog, you will get an insight of what kind of items that I collect as well as tips and reviews...
Here is a compilation of retro vintage dolls on Little Twin Stars. Sanrio has brought back their vintage LTS dolls in a big way starting in 2017. It appears to be a start of new set of dolls. Little Twin Stars Collectors are waiting patiently for the larger size dolls like seen below.
Status:REVISED as of 2/2019
2010
Japan: Golden Memories Series
2017
Sanrio surprises fans by bringing back these retro style vintage dolls. There is no word yet if they will produce any of the larger size dolls like in the past.
Japan: dolls features stringy hair
Japan: Same doll but different outfit. Bear outfit sold separately. Face mold is different.
I wanted to compile a list of Japan's Birthday dolls. Since I have limited information, here is a list that I could find through the help of Collectors and online resources.
When you think of Hello Kitty plushes, does a few of your favorites come to mind? For me, I used to think that I was too picky to be called a plush collector. I had only bought one Hello Kitty puffalump (or Nylon) type of plush when I was a child and unfortunately, ended up leaving it in a McDonald's location on one morning. Like how every story goes... I came back within 20 minutes and the beloved plush was gone. Since then, there weren't many plushes that captured my attention as years passed. Until now. Here is a list of my favorite plushes, but in a variety of designs. I wanted to highlight the very best plushes to be designed over the years with style. Vintage 1976-1989s plushes are in a different category and are not part of this list. As well as Momoberry, which is excluded because it has earned it's own featured article. Most likely down the road, I will do another plush article, but with a designer or series collection. I will announce it on my Twitter account when I narrow it down to one collection or so. There are just way too many Hello Kitty plushes out there. I will also do a Little Twin Stars/My Melody version, but not until I have 10 favorite special plushes or dolls to complete the list.
Junolyn's TOP 10 Plushes for Hello Kitty
1. Vivitix
When I first started collecting, I have never heard of the store called Vivitix located in Japan. Much like Momoberry, Vivitix was a brand invented by Sanrio to target teenagers, who are more into trendy, cute, and cool goods.
Out of all Vivitix, this one plush has captured my heart and soul. It's designed in a silver theme dress and with a silver crown to match. It's like she stepped out of the pages from a storybook, where there are fantasy fairytales told in detail.
A remarkable beauty that transcends through time and age. A classic in my mind.
2. Japan Wedding Bride
This second plush is one of my all time favorites. It is a weight doll, which means that if you have a baby, you can have the doll weigh the same amount as your newborn. Also, it comes with an engraved birthdate and the name of your child. Unless it's for you, then you can get it customized to your information. I had my name engraved on it's foot. It made the plush even more special in my mind. It was personalized just for me. This plush is my first wedding bride that I have owned. With her beautiful pink and white wedding gown and the material of the plush--- it was all quality that I liked.
3. Steiff
There are only 1500 dolls made for this 2010 Steiff Collaboration plush. It is made of top quality mohair angora. This is the type of plush that would add quality to a collection of plushes. The design and material are the main factor in what I like about this plush. It's a classic red theme Hello Kitty with a bear.
There are very few Birthday plushes from Japan that has caught my eye. The bow and design on the dress sealed the deal for me once I saw it. The pretty roses on the bottom with the pink bow in the middle of the dress are visually appealing to my aesthetics. I'm definitely what you call a girly girl.
5. Sanrio Puroland Plush
I saw this by chance on Youtube in a glass display case by just itself. I knew I had to have one of my own when I saw her on a Hello Kitty fan Youtube Channel. I believe it comes in 3 sizes as a plush. The third size is a keychain, I believe. The formal gown and pastel pink gloves are what makes Hello Kitty so very charming. She can dazzle you in all type of outfits. As you can guess, I love fancy styles of Sanrio.
6. Puroland's Birthday Plush 2018
This plush earns a special spot in my heart. I love the ruffles on the dress. I like the little stones and accessories on the plush. This is another girly girl type of plush that always gets my attention. The baby pink gloves just adds class to it. Again, I am a goner for another special made plush. Also, another pleaser, it has only 100 pieces made. I am one of the lucky owners. :p
This souvenir was created for a Chinese teahouse style Hello Kitty restaurant. It debuted in 2015 to mix reviews. Unfortunately like many of Asia's gimmick character cafes, they were not able to entice back their first-time customers-- nor able to get new customers. It was reported that it closed it's doors. One good thing that came from this theme restaurant was the plush. Dressed in the beautiful classic red and gold Chinese style, it is a plush that stands out with it's own beauty.
This carnival themed plush was created for a special Hello Kitty event that took place in Singapore and Malaysia. What I liked about the plush is that it's dressed in a cute carnival theme. The white polka dot and red bow with it's jumper suit and tie bow makes it one-of-a-kind plush.
9. Japan HK Crochet Plush
All I have to say are Pink and Black. Those two colors are a match made in heaven. Seriously, baby pink crochet with a sparkly black bow. Enough said. It's all mine. ;)
It's something special, isn't it? Instead of the normal color scheme of red and white-- the colors are gold and black. The plush is to die for in such classy colors. It screams "POSH!!" in capital letters. It's like it was made especially for an adult Hello Kitty Collector. I love love mine to death.
This concludes my Favorite Plush List for 2019, but I know I'll end up with more favorite plushes in the future. I'll most likely update the list in the next 10 years if there is any change to this list. Until next time!
I wanted to compile a list of Japan's Birthday dolls. Since I have limited information, here is a list that I could find through the help of Collectors and online resources.
This book is a must have for Collectors all around the world. It has to be one of my TOP favorite Sanrio books of all time because of the content inside the book. What better way to have a mini memorabilia of older Sanrio merchandise at the tip of your hands? It might not exactly be the real products at hand, but the pictures are surely drool-worthy! The pictures of vintage merchandise have me coming back to reference any older products that I am searching for at the time. Plus, it is note worthy that the pages are printed in quality. The vibrant colors will pop out at you, ensuring that you'll appreciate the visual beauty of Sanrio. One of the many reasons that this book is my favorite is because they have an introduction to the company and the owner. There are a few pages with pictures of past closed Sanrio boutiques that were up and running in the old days. Fond memories for some of the older generation, right? There is a brief excerpt from a Hello Kitty fan, Maria Fleischman (HK Junkies). I wished that the book had more content on Sanrio Collectors, not just Hello Kitty Collectors. It would have made the book even more special if Collectors were featured. Included in the book is a Character timeline poster that would look great framed in my Shrine room, but it doesn't look like it's easily detachable. What a treasure book that I now own. Happy Sanrio Hunting! Meow.
This year starts off on the right note as Hollywood gets a new star on the block. Say hello to Hello Kitty. Sanrio has opened it's 2nd Los Angeles boutique in the heart of Hollywood.
In the same building of Hollywood & Highland Center, the previous Sanrio store was located on the first floor many years ago. Now, the new boutique is located on the second floor and much larger than the current Sanrio in Little Tokyo.
It's a smart choice to bring back a Sanrio store in the Hollywood area because of the many foot traffic that the Center gets year round. It's the central tourist spot to visit. Also, Los Angeles has a large Asian community residing in the area.
It makes sense why Sanrio would close down their many Sanrio locations across the States. It's not good business to keep stores open if there are no profits rolling in. The truth is that majority of those Americans see Hello Kitty as for kids and have been losing interest in the character for a long while now.
Most Americans are willing to spend their money on Disney than on Hello Kitty. It helps that Disney has great marketing strategies and that they can create really cool Mickey & Minnie designs to attract older consumers. It translates well onto quality merchandise.
Like I have said many times before, image is important. Sanrio needs to think cool if you want majority of the world's attention. You can't just stick to kitsch if you want to appeal to all types of cultures.
Our fandom is small. It's a fact. It's easy for Sanrio to get "fans" on their social media accounts, but these so-called fans do not buy the merchandise on a daily basis. They can easily love a character, but to spend money on it? Not so much.
With this new boutique just opened in Hollywood, we hope that Sanrio's makeover is a great start to a new upgraded image of their brand.
Please credit me if photos used. TY.
One good step in the right direction is the makeover of their boutiques. Sanrio has brought out even more clothing choices than ever before. In the middle of the store are racks of clothes. The store is still definitely cute, but it has become more than just that...
It has become ultra cool and fashionable. It's what attracts people. Cool and fashionable stuff to hoard, display, and wear in public.
Another change is that the boutique sells very high end bling (see video) and brought back vintage classics for hardcore Collectors. It's a guaranteed heaven for Collectors to splurge.
Books and beauty supplies adds to the uniqueness of Sanrio, instead of expecting just toys and plushes. The atmosphere has a more "cool" effect to the surroundings. The art on the wall are amazing, combined with photo-op statues.
It has an impressive digital tv display at the back, giving the boutique a more upgraded look to the whole design of the room. Another thing to mention is that there is a candy section available, which caught my eye because Sanrio has everything for their fans.
If it can be branded, Sanrio most likely has a Hello Kitty version available somewhere in the world.
Lastly, there is a fitting room! Unlike other Sanrio stores, this one has their own fitting room. I haven't tried it, but I hope to do so soon!
Like one of the signs says, Twinkle Forever Kiki and Lala...
Happy Sanrio Hunting!
New store social media account Hashtags #hellokittyhollywood
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