Hello Kitty Supports AC Milan

"The idea to associate a female soul to a top level male sport came a while ago with AC Milan. Today, and with lots of female fans in the sport, the new collection has a natural target," says Paolo Casarini, licensing director, Sanrio.

Hello Kitty will be pitch-side later this month to launch the co-branded collection at the San Siro football stadium. The line will then launch at other AC Milan stores and online in the second half of the year and will expand beyond Italy to retailers in Asia and Japan.

"Milan has always associated itself with Italian and international companies that represent excellence in their sectors," says Jaap Kalma, commercial director, AC Milan. "For this reason we decided to join forces with a brand like Hello Kitty, a prestigious and important character, highly adored by young people all over