Hello Kitty exhibition celebrates character's 40th anniversary

An exhibition featuring all things Hello Kitty has opened in Los Angeles, in honour of the 40th anniversary of the beloved Japanese icon.

The "Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty" exhibition documents the character from her early beginnings in Japan to the eventual worldwide popularity she now enjoys.

The exhibition is being held at the Japanese-American National Museum and will run from Oct 11, 2014 to Apr 26, 2015.

It features hundreds of Hello Kitty-related items and artifacts, including the first Hello Kitty item, which is a small vinyl coin purse debuted in March 1975 in Japan.

Other paraphernalia on display at the exhibition include Hello Kitty clothing, paintings and wines.