Created by 1974 Yuko Shimizu Hello Kitty gained popularity in Japan with the emergence of kawaii (cute) culture. Even as her popularity waned in Japan it continued to grow internationally until she became such a recognizable little figure UNICEF named her the children's ambassador to the United States in 1983, children's ambassador in Japan in 1994, and gave her the title of UNICEF Special Friend of Children in 2004, a title unique to her. Sanrio, the company that holds the rights to Hello Kitty says her lack of a mouth allows her to "speak from the heart. She's Sanrio's ambassador to the world and isn't bound to any particular language.” On the 686 Hello Kitty Women's Beanie we think she speaks snow, winter fun, and keeping cozy… which is just what you’d expect from a white kitty!