Photos: Hello Kitty

Janet Hsu, president of Sanrio Inc., sits in front of Hello Kitty dress creations at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo this month. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Oct. 24, 2014 8:49 PM PT

An exhibition showcases about three decades of Hello Kitty objects and art at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles.

Items are on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo this month. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

The first coin purse featuring Hello Kitty is on display at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A Hello Kitty figurine is one of many on display at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Backpacks featuring Hello Kitty are on display at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Pieces of the Hello Kitty family are on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Hello Kitty notepads are on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty watch is on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

“Hello Kitty Hello,” by artist Becca, is on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Hello Kitty calculators at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

“Super Space Titan Kitty,” by Colin Christian, at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty calendar is on display with other pieces at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Hello Kitty pens are on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Pieces on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty hair curler is on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty face mask and orthodontic piece are on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty hat on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty cane on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Hello Kitty menswear on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty item on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Hello Kitty outfits are on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty lunchbox is on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty piece on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A map is on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Hello Kitty wine is on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

“Up! To the Sky,” by Nina Jun, is on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

A Hello Kitty item is on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Artwork on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

“Kittypatra,” by Simone Legno, on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)

Artwork on display at the Hello Kitty exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. (Jenna Schoenefeld / For The Times)