Hello Kitty is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. The super-kawaii Hello Kitty brand is celebrating 50 years. Since her inception, Hello Kitty has captured and captivated the world of fashion. She has collaborated with everyone from Converse to Balenciaga, and played muse to some of the world’s most iconic style stars (just last summer, Dua Lipa broke the internet in a Hello Kitty bikini during a holiday to Jamaica).

And this year, at Chadstone, we’re getting in on the action. From September 20 until October 27, the Hello Kitty Cafe will open at Chadstone in The Social Quarter, where you can enjoy delectable Hello Kitty themed treats, and peruse our curated selection of Chadstone x Hello Kitty merchandise. During the school holidays, we’ll also be hosting a series of interactive activities and our Hello Kitty craft workshops. You’ll also want to snap a selfie in front of our marvellous artwork, a 9-metre tall multi-dimensional Hello Kitty created in collaboration with artist Sofles, which will sit in the Luxury Mall.

In the meantime, don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to integrate the Hello Kitty aesthetic into your own wardrobe. Kawaii elements, like bows, sparkles, ballerina flats, and pleated mini-skirts, are all trending this season, and the Hello Kitty shades of whites, pinks, blacks, and reds is the colour palette du jour for spring and summer 2024, thanks to nods on the runway from brands like Miu Miu, Ferragamo and Prada. We love the statement bow detail on Aje’s ‘Spiral’ mini dress. Dress yours up with cherry red cat-eye sunglasses (we love Zimmermann’s iteration), and Mary-Jane-style shoes, like those available at Dangerfield and Forever New.

Speaking of bows, there are myriad options available for adorable statement bow accessories this season. At Dangerfield, you’ll find bow-style choker necklaces and ribbon hair clips; Zimmermann’s velvet bow scrunchie is a buy-now wear-forever investment; and Lovisa's feminine earrings are made of crystal-embellished bows. At Acne Studios, available at Incu, bows appear on fire engine-red Y2K-esque handbags and sleek leather ballet flats. Go double-or-nothing by styling Ganni's shing check gingham bow top (available at Incu), with Jo Mercer’s velvet bow-embellished slingback heels (just add a great tailored pant or wide-leg jean).

For after-dark dressing, SHEIKE, Dotti, Witchery, and Camilla and Marc are all offering great midi- and mini-dresses and sets in fresh shades of coral, flamingo, and strawberry pink (or grabby cherry red). And for day-dressing, Forever New's bubble mini dress (in Hello Kitty-esque pink) is the perfect piece to dress up or down. Miu Miu’s poplin shirt dress with a statement Peter Pan collar, or pleated gingham mini skirt, are so adorable, you’ll never want to take them off. Finish the look off with the brand’s cult-status satin ballerina flats (we say go all out with the soft pink hue), and you’ve got a high-fashion look.