When Hello Kitty popped up on a coin purse in Japan in 1975, the character created by Yuko Shimizu was an instant hit with consumers. Hello Kitty eventually made her way to the United States and evolved into a beloved global franchise with the entertainment company Sanrio. Over the years, the cute white kitty equipped with a yellow nose, blue overalls and a red bow has been featured on numerous products, from school supplies to clothing and you guessed it, shoes.
Iconic brands like Dr. Martens, Nike and A Bathing Ape (aka Bape) have all displayed the mouthless cartoon cat on their footwear. Ahead, we broke down every Sanrio Hello Kitty shoe collaboration to date, including some you may not have expected.
Crocs Hello Kitty Siren Clog, 2024
In celebration of Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, Crocs collaborated with the brand on a new collection of footwear that includes the bold Siren Clog, which dropped on Jan. 17. The fun style features a white and blue Hello Kitty graphic upper, sparkly blue platform soles with a chunky high heel, and Hello Kitty-themed Jibbitz charms.
Crocs Hello Kitty IAM Classic Clog, 2024
Also a part of the new collection is a pair of Classic Clogs in Hello Kitty colors, with a red heel strap and a bright blue midsole. It also comes with a red bow Jibbitz charm.
Hello Kitty Adidas Adilette Slides, 2024
Adidas is also commemorating the iconic Japanese cartoon’s 50th anniversary with a cozy new Adilette slide featuring a plush white upper designed in Hello Kitty’s likeness. The whimsical version of the staple Adidas silhouette also dropped on Jan. 17.
Hello Kitty Adidas Stan Smith, 2023
A Hello Kitty and Friends-themed rendition of the iconic Stan Smith silhouette launched in 2023. The shoe featured a printed liner and a fuzzy white heel tab and was topped off with a nifty Hello Kitty pouch.
Hello Kitty x Heelys, 2023
Hello Kitty partnered with Heelys for a 2023 collaboration that included four fun-wheeled sneakers, including two high-tops and two low-tops.
Hello Kitty x A Bathing Ape, 2023
Beloved streetwear brand A Bathing Ape (AKA Bape) also turned out a special Hello Kitty sneaker, a pink patent leather style with Hello Kitty’s face and bow stamped on the heel, in 2023. This isn’t the first time the two Japanese brands have linked, though.
In 2021, the pair launched another patent version with its Hello Kitty Baby Milo collection boasting Hello Kitty’s signature colors and the character of Baby Milo. It’s now going for upwards of $900 on the resell market.
Hello Kitty and Friends Crocs Classic Clog, 2023
Another Crocs collaboration with Sanrio in 2023 showcased the cartoon’s love of pink, as well as her friends. The clogs were designed with pink and purple hearts and rainbows, kitty herself, and a few friends like Badtz-Maru and My Melody.
Hello Kitty Nike Air Presto, 2022
In 2022, Sanrio linked with Nike to release a blue Air Presto featuring a Hello Kitty print throughout. The sporty shoe is complete with Hello Kitty’s signature red bow on the tongue tab and an additional graphic of the character on the heel, plus a special illustrative footbed.
Hello Kitty x Adidas Superstar, 2022
As a part of a release in 2022, Hello Kitty came out with a version of the iconic Superstar silhouette. The shoes came with pink, red and white laces, polka dot accents and a detachable Hello Kitty charm.
Dr. Martens x Hello Kitty and Friends, 2021
Hello Kitty and Dr. Martens’ latest collaboration in 2021 spotlighted not just Hello Kitty but some of her friends as well. The collection was comprised of cute new iterations of the classic 1460 boot, 1461 shoe, Jadon platform boot and the kids 1460 boot.
Hello Kitty x Skechers, 2020
In 2020, Skechers and Hello Kitty joined forces on a collection of chunky sneakers boasting the franchise’s signature white, red and pink hues.
Hello Kitty x Reebok Instapump Fury, 2019
Sanrio and Reebok collaborated on an Instapump Fury collection in 2019. The popular laceless shoe was done in red, white and black and topped with red bows.
Hello Kitty and Friends x Converse, 2018
In 2018, Converse and Sanrio rolled out a Hello Kitty and Friends collection that served up fresh takes on the One Star, Chuck Taylor All Star and Chuck 70 silhouettes.
Vans x Hello Kitty, 2013
Throwing it back to 2013, Vans released a Hello Kitty-inspired collection comprised of some of the brand’s most popular silhouettes including the Authentic and Sk8 Hi.
