There is a permanent Artbox cafe, currently Hello Kitty-themed, at 5-6 East Street, Brighton (artboxcafe.co.uk for reservations) and an Artbox shop, 44-46 Shelton Street, Covent Garden.

“Icon” is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but when it comes to Hello Kitty, no word is apter. Ever since the character’s first appearance in 1974, she has been in books and made into ...