PRESS: Retrospekt Celebrates Summer with Limited-Edition Hello Kitty Tomatoes FC-11 35mm Camera
June 14, 2024
Retrospekt, a product design and development studio dedicated to creating unique experiences through new and refurbished retro tech products, has once again partnered with the beloved lifestyle brand Sanrio to release a limited-edition, tomato-themed Hello Kitty versions of their FC-11 35mm film camera.
Bursting with flavor, this fresh collaboration captures the essence of refreshingly-crisp produce on a warm and sunny summer day. The Hello Kitty Tomatoes FC-11 35mm film camera is a quirky combination of Hello Kitty’s signature charm with a full-on tomato-focused aesthetic. The camera's design features a red and white gingham pattern reminiscent of a classic picnic tablecloth, serving as an eye-catching place setting for custom Hello Kitty tomato artwork scattered across the camera body.
Inescapably fun, the new illustrations—produced specifically for this camera as part of a joint effort by the teams at Sanrio and Retrospekt—show Hello Kitty wearing a jaunty tomato costume, surrounded by juicy tomatoes. The camera's packaging maintains this theme, integrating the same gingham pattern and tomato-themed Hello Kitty artwork.
“They said ‘how about something with tomatoes’ and then let us put Hello Kitty in a tomato hat,” said Retrospekt Creative Director Michael Kempen. “Sanrio has this crazy deep fan base that really understands the potential for quirkiness in that world. What could seem odd for a different character or brand seemed incredibly natural here. Like, of course Hello Kitty has a tomato costume in her closet! All we had to do was decide what it looked like.”
Behind its whimsical exterior, the Hello Kitty Tomatoes FC-11 35mm film camera provides a no-nonsense photographic experience. With a fixed-focus lens and built-in flash, anyone can easily capture bright, high-quality images at the push of a button.
This release is the latest in a series of successful collaborations between Retrospekt and Sanrio, further strengthening the partnership that began in 2019. The two most recently teamed up on a Gudetama FC-11 35mm camera.
The Hello Kitty Tomatoes camera will be available for purchase starting June 14 through Sanrio.com and Retrospekt's website. Whether you're a Hello Kitty fan, a lover of analog photography or simply looking to add a fresh slice of charm to your collection, this will surely be the cherry tomato on top of your summer-fun sunday.
Full Resolution Photos and Other Assets
via Google Drive
(These assets are available for media use)
About Retrospekt
Retrospekt is a highly-specialized workshop and product design studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin committed to the exploration, restoration and curation of retro technology. They started their foray into the world of retro tech by supplying Polaroid with refurbished and restored vintage instant cameras and now offer a full line of vintage camera models in addition to developing official Polaroid camera collaborations with both national and international brands, such as Mattel, Sanrio, Peanuts and FENDI.
Since 2008, they have pursued vintage electronics and the delight of analog technology, breathing new life into cameras, portable cassette players, classic gaming consoles and other retro tech oddities. Over the last decade, their team has saved over 300,000 devices with a comprehensive refurbishment process that faithfully restores each item to perform like it did the day it was originally manufactured.
In an increasingly fast-paced world, it can be easy for digital convenience to become digital overload. Retrospekt hopes the items they offer will provide people an opportunity to slow down, step back and enjoy a more tactile and intentional experience. Visit Retrospekt.com for more information on Retrospekt and its offerings.
About Sanrio
Sanrio® is the global lifestyle brand best known for Hello Kitty® who was created in 1974, and home to many other beloved character brands such as My Melody™, Kuromi™, LittleTwinStars™, Cinnamoroll™, Pompompurin™, gudetama™, Aggretsuko™, Chococat™, Badtz-maru™ and Keroppi™. Sanrio was founded on the philosophy that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration to offer quality products, services and activities that promote communication and inspire unique consumer experiences across the world. Today, Sanrio’s business extends into the entertainment industry with several content series, gaming offerings and theme parks. Sanrio boasts an extensive product lineup which is available in over 130 countries. Sanrio hopes to bring smiles to everyone’s faces with their vision of “One World, Connecting Smiles.” To learn more about Sanrio, please visit www.sanrio.com and follow @sanrio and @hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest and subscribe to the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube Channel.
Media Contacts
Lexie Capperella, for Retrospekt
lexie@gregoryfca.com
Val Hernandez, for Sanrio
Golin
vhernandez@golin.com