A LOVE STORY
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This is the 1st illustration of what will become Love Is... Kim Grove sent Roberto Casali this postcard whilst on a ski trip. It is a thumbnail-sized caricature of herself - a mini Kim. Kim's shy little love notes to her future husband Roberto Casali, involved a small drawing & a personal message that perfectly captured Kim’s thoughts for the man she loved. She would hide these little drawings where he would least expect, & also send them to him whenever they were apart, "I began making the little drawings for myself to express how I felt... I would leave little notes under his pillow... After we married, he showed me he'd kept them all."1967
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Kim doodles caricatures of herself & Roberto on little cards that she leaves in various places for him to find (such as under his pillow, in his jacket pocket, in his car's glove compartment, in a drawer).1967
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Whilst working as a receptionist at a printing company in L.A, Kim staples together some of her illustrations into little booklets, naming them Love Is When & selling them from her desk for US$1 each.1968
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After Kim's booklets are deemed as THE must-have wedding present for every bride, Roberto takes a selection of Kim's cartoons to a newspaper syndicate to gauge interest.1969
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Love Is... appears for the 1st time in the Los Angeles Times newspaper. It is a quick success & grows to be syndicated in newspapers & magazines in over 50 countries & translated into more than 25 languages.5 January 1970
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The first Love Is... licensed product - plastic wall plaques.1970
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Kim & Roberto get engaged.November 1970
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Kim & Roberto are married in Auckland, New Zealand.1971
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Love Is... celebrates its 50th anniversary!2020
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The Love Is... A Gift online store is launched❣️
Love Is... A Gift is the official licensed Love Is... online store & a celebration of all things connected to the Love Is... brand founded by Kim & Roberto Casali over 50 years ago. We launch with the classic Kim & Roberto characters on art prints & mugs but am working hard to include family, friends & pet options, on more new products. We will announce the new additions on Instagram & in our newsletters. All products can be personalized!February 2021