My tween daughter Jordan and her friend Sarah pose with Lolita Girls at the Hello Kitty Launch Party at Forever 21 at the famed Hollywood and Highland Shopping Complex

Enthusiastic Hello Kitty fans pack Hollywood & Highland hoping for a chance to get into the Launch Party at Forever 21 Hollywood

Thursday night Forever 21 and Hello Kitty hosted a launch party for Forever 21 for Hello Kitty Collectionin Hollywood. The dedicated fans of this clothing line launch were akin to fanboys at ComicCon.  Forever 21 customers flooded Hollywood Blvd., with the customer line then curling around into the Hollywood & Highland shopping complex all the way back to the escalators. It was truly a sight to behold.  As Hello Kitty & Forever 21 aren’t exactly focusing on my “mom demographic,” I brought along my tween daughter Jordan and her friend Sarah to gauge their take on the launch event and the clothing line.  Their overall review: Party Kinda Drab. Fashions Super Fab!

The launch party was hosted by Reality TV Child Stars Kendall and Kylie Jenner who were styled to perfection in a “Japanese Lolita meets Hello Kitty” mode.  They did several costume changes throughout the evening and impressed with every outfit. Full kudos to the girls’ stylists – they did a wonderful job.  If you can’t imagine Hello Kitty looking like runway couture, you’re not alone but I witnessed first-hand that it’s not only possible but absolutely adorable when pulled together by the pros.

The launch party was hosted by Reality TV Child Stars Kendall and Kylie Jenner

Stefanie Scott from Disney’s ANT Farm

Other guests included Stefanie Scott of Disney’s A.N.T. Farm and designer Trina Tarantino.  As for the shindig itself, the biggest snafu was that the store was poorly laid out for a large party. Most of the new Hello Kitty fashions were packed together in the front of the store which also happened to be the narrowest portion of the room and the place where everyone (guests, employees, paparazzi, media and security) entered and exited.  So how did this translate to party-goers who wanted to shop and possibly buy Hello Kitty fashions? It was like watching people herd cats – no Hello Kitty pun intended.  If one more well-intentioned employee told us to “keep the area clear” I was seriously going to cough up a fur ball.

I never saw Hello Kitty, but the kids told me she was modeling fashions and milling about the store. Some guests (read not us) were able to indulge at the Hello Kitty Nail Art Station which included free nail art and full manicures.  Unfortunately it was all ready booked for the entire evening when we arrived at 7:15. A Hello Kitty Sweets Station displayed delicious mini cupcakes and marshmellow Hello Kittys on a stick.  Raffles were held for one-of-a-kind Hello Kitty fashions and Hello Kitty goodie bags – but we couldn’t get our hands on the elusive raffle tickets either.

Guess what we were able to do though?  After tuning out the “Clear the Area” mantra, we shopped, shopped and then shopped some more. The girls left the event with bags of clothes and were thrilled with their purchases: Hello Kitty Leg warmers, wallets, cardigans, tee shirts, socks, scarves, flannel pajamas, hair accessories and jewelry.  All in all not a bad way for a couple of lucky tween girls to spend a school night.

Look for these adorable and affordable Hello Kitty Fashions at a Forever 21 near you!