Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Hello Kitty fan. After one sight of that huge head with a red bow on the side, small eyes, button nose and cute little dress, I fell in love.

I have every Hello Kitty accessory that one can think of and my Civic is the ultimate Hello Kitty mobile. My friends and family think that I am crazy and cannot fathom why a grown 20-something woman would love what is basically considered a toy for small girls.

My eight-year-old cousin who is also a Hello Kitty fan came into my room one day, saw my Hello Kitty sheets, jewelry box and dolls and laughed hysterically.

“Danielle, you’re weird,” she declared.

But, read any fashion magazine and you will discover I am not weird. Hello Kitty has become a favorite for women in their 20s and even their 30s. Singer Mariah Carey is one of Hello Kitty’s biggest fans.

She has over 100 dolls and numerous accessories in her mansion. Designer Kimora Lee, owner of Baby Phat is also a huge fan and has created an exclusive diamond Hello Kitty jewelry line. Hello Kitty purses, jewelry and underwear can now be seen in the pages of Elle, Glamour and Vogue. It has even been featured on a MasterCard debit card.

So what is going on? Why is a toy that was made for girls, now a favorite among women?

“She is an icon and she is just plain cute,” said Dave Marchi, Brand Marketing Manager of Sanrio Inc, the Japanese company that created Hello Kitty, based in San Francisco, California. “There is a huge legion of adult women fans in the United States,” he said.

Christine Pacchiana, assistant manager of Annie Sez on Main Street in Mount Kisco said that her daughters in their 30s and 40s still love Hello Kitty because they loved it as children.

“They grew up with it and it’s a reflection of when they were children,” said the 60-year-old.”I find that more women in their 30s and up love it now.”

The Japanese character made its debut in the United States in 1976.

“Hello Kitty was then what Hannah Montana is now,” said Pacchiana.

However women in their 20s are also a huge fan base.

“There are plenty who did not know her when they were young, but she is an authentic character and has this memorizing simplicity of cuteness,” said Marchi via telephone.”Hello Kitty appeals to four-year-olds to forever.”

So I will take the ridicule from my family and friends with my head held high. Like many women in their 20s and 30s I love Hello Kitty and I am not afraid to say it!!!!!