Meow for Hello Kitty

Posted by Carolyn

on February 6, 2009

Much like you are either a Betty or Veronica, on Team Heidi or Team Lauren, pro-Angelina or pro-Jennifer, there is a now new way to characterize what type of girl you are as yesterday’s New York Times pointed out: Barbie or Hello Kitty. TDO Editor Carolyn is still undecided, but Kathleen has declared, after attending yesterday’s MAC x Hello Kitty party, that she is definitely and forever always a Hello Kitty girl.

Celebrating the launch of the new Hello Kitty line for MAC, which we have already reviewed here, we attended the launch party yesterday at Cedar Lake. Upon entering the party, it was immediately apparent that this Hello Kitty would not be the innocent, naïve one that we remembered from our pinafore days. With a jet black face instead of the traditional white one, this Hello Kitty was more grown up and aware, a ‘rawr’ instead of a ‘meow’, and her red bow was re-imagined to hot pink with a slight Lolita edge.

Shirtless male waiters wearing leather bondage points and giant ebony Hello Kitty stuffed heads circulated around the party carrying chocolate bow shaped cookies. In the center of the space was a collection of mannequins and models wearing dresses designed by Marchesa, Herve Leger, Vicente Villarin, Emanuel Ungaro, and others, all inspired by the guest of honor herself. A giant projection screen in the background played a presentation video that was a Harajuku Alice in Wonderland take on the Hello Kitty dress.

Our friends at MAC had warned us that the guest list was way over capacity (it had already received a mention in the Times before it even happened), so we arrived at 8pm right on the dot. To our delight, the party was already in full swing, the champagne was a pouring and the red carpet action was happening. Models mingled with mortals, admiring the one-of-a-kind frocks, and Patrick McMullan himself snapped the party pics. Notable attendees included MAC executives, Zac Posen, Lindsay Price, Josh Radnor, Lydia Hearst, Richie Rich, Fabiola Beracasa, Ciara, Jay Lyon, and Adam Senn. Their girlfriends (and Olivia Palermo) were absent. The City boys humored us for a bit – Adam engaging Kathleen in conversation about Japan and Jay unwillingly answered my questions about whether or not he actaully reads Amy Odell’s often scathing reviews of his show on The Cut (he does and suspects Odell doesn’t like him). And as for the over capcity warning, it turns out everything was actually planned to perfection. No one ever had to wait for a drink or fight for a seat. Lucky party attendants received MAC Hello Kitty makeup pieces in their gift bags.

- Story written with contribution from joie

Photos © The Daily Obsession