Hello, Kitty!

Can you believe that Manila is the second branch of Sanrio Luxe worldwide? The first is located at Times Square in New York.

For the grand opening of Sanrio Luxe and to celebrate Sanrio's 35th year (can you believe it's just been 35 years?!), Sanrio's 2nd generation owner, Mr. Kunihiko Tsuji, was present: "Filipinos everywhere in the world love Hello Kitty. Thank you very much, Ramos-san (Tita Virgie Ramos is the person we're all thankful for for brining in Sanrio goodies :D) for 30 years of support and love for Hello Kitty and my family." Below is a photo of Mrs. Ramos with multi-awarded architect Mr. Ed Calma, along with Sanrio's Mr. Tsuji. Isn't Mr. Tsuji adorable? Such a happy person :D

I must say, architect Ed Calma did a great job. He adds, "Sanrio Luxe is about combining sophistication and playfulness. From the outside, the door pattern incorporates the door handles and come alive! What look like ceiling installations from a distance reveal a giant Hello Kitty cookie cutter installations! The stainless steel Kitty heads double up as mirrors and as you and your friends look at yourselves in the mirrors, you become part of Kitty's family."

Guests were treated to scrumptious pica-pica, and we were all given headbands and cute ribbon pillows (like that of Hello Kitty). Look at how cute Maxene Magalona and her baby sister are with the bows ;)

Soon after, the store opened its doors to the public—with actor Derek Ramsey in nothing but Hello Kitty pajamas welcoming everyone in. Oooooohhhh...

Thirty-five years have passed, and Sanrio just keeps getting better and better. Special collaborations with top brands make checking out the goods more enjoyable. With Anteprima, Tokidoki, Tarina Tarantino, Atmos, Asics, and Victoria Couture, who can resist?

Hello Kitty x Tokidoki collaboration

These watches bring back great childhood memories. I THINK I can still pull off wearing these ;)

There are over 550 Sanrio items in Sanrio Luxe, with a white gold crown worth P300,000 as the most expensive one. But there are a lot of affordable items like key chains, ponytail holders, cosmetic pouches and mobile phone straps that go between P700-P1,000. I believe memo pads (priced at P250) will be one of the store's best sellers as I, myself, have been quite the collector back in the '80s. Yikes, I think my age is showing :o nuninuninu...

*Sanrio Luxe is located at Level 2, Greenbelt 5.