Hello Kitty, the diminutive, red-bowed white kitten and
a cherished powerhouse in Japanese popular culture, has been in the spotlight
of late. We start with another giant in the pop realm—Lady Gaga—who’s currently
making her promotional rounds on the entertainment circuit in Japan.

On an appearance at talk show Sukkiri, the fashion-forward songtress
was surprised with a specially commissioned Hello Kitty in her likeness,
presented to her by the Sanrio designer herself, Yuko Yamaguchi. The one-of-a-kind
“Gaga-san” plush toy sports the same teal-colored hair that is the singer’s
look du jour.   

A screen grab from the Japanese talk show where Lady Gaga was presented with her bespoke Hello Kitty

Lady Gaga’s arrival at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, decked out in a turquoise Valentino Fall 2011 coat and matching Christian Louboutin Dafodille platform pumps, the outfit which inspired the Lady Gaga Hello Kitty doll

In other related news, Hello Kitty has been glammed up in
crystals for a special Swarovski collection. Only 88 of these blinged-out dolls—encrusted
with precisely 19,636 Swarovski crystals each—have been made, and they can be
yours at US$14,500 a pop.

Swarovski

Sanrio