Hello Kitty designer says cute character will be fabulous at 40

Yuko Yamaguchi has been the head designer for Hello Kitty since 1980. -- AFP

The flamboyant designer of Japanese cartoon and global mega-brand Hello Kitty defended the cute cat against new rivals as the character prepares to celebrate her 40th birthday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Hong Kong Book Fair, Yuko Yamaguchi took the concept of life imitating art to another level, wearing a Hello Kitty-style strawberry dress with dyed auburn hair piled into two buns topped with a red ribbon – the cat’s signature accessory.