ISLAND STYLE
Hello Kitty's spring line to feature aloha prints

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hello Kitty's spring line is being manufactured in Honolulu and will be sold exclusively in the Islands.

Thanks to an arrangement between The Custom Co. of Kalihi and Sanrio Inc., Hello Kitty's spring line 2002 is being manufactured by Honolulu Mercantile and sold exclusively in the Islands. For now, overseas and Mainland Hello Kitty aficionados will have to come here to buy it — or covet it from afar.

The girlie line sports all the latest styles. Some are available in sizes 2T to 6X, others in girls 7 to 14. (Women will just have to wait.)

There are sundresses with keyhole backs, spaghetti straps, Peter Pan collars and matching bloomers. Capri and short sets are paired with front tie tops and princess seams on a spaghetti strap top. There's a preppy-style button-down blouse and the latest: a handkerchief hem with a bow accent.

Prints come in three pastel colorways: pink, blue and yellow.

Soon to spring off the cutting table are slightly older and more sophisticated styles: sarongs, wrap skirts and even some knits. The colors on the line for older girls will change slightly to turquoise and deeper shades of pink and blue. (Sorry, ladies, these will only go up to girl's size 14.)

Hello Kitty children's clothing has just arrived on the racks at DFS Galleria, Macy's, Hilo Hattie, McInerny and Dole Plantation. Prices for the dresses and sets are around $30.