November 3, 2023
MILWAUKEE, WI — Retrospekt, a product design and development studio dedicated to creating unique experiences through new and refurbished retro tech products, is thrilled to once again partner with the world’s friendliest lifestyle brand, Sanrio, to release “Strawberry Kawaii” a new collection of Hello Kitty-themed devices, including a Polaroid instant camera and Retrospekt’s own FC-11 35MM film camera and CP-81 portable cassette player.
Smooth and sweet like a strawberry milkshake — this delectable collection is Hello Kitty at her most scrumptious. Created by Retrospekt and Sanrio exclusively for this new collection of retro tech products, every piece from the Strawberry Kawaii series features a clean white and pink palette with official Hello Kitty artwork bursting with flavor and including phrases such as “Hello Kitty” and “Kawaii” set in authentic Japanese hiragana characters.
Strawberry Kawaii features the Polaroid 600 Hello Kitty Strawberry Kawaii instant film camera built by Retrosepkt with refurbished photographic components from vintage Polaroid cameras released in the 1980s and ‘90s. Faithfully restored to work just like new, these original parts are housed inside newly designed and molded plastic exteriors featuring pink plastic accents, luscious red-printed external graphics and other exclusive Hello Kitty artwork.
Additionally, the collection also features two brand new Retrospekt-created products inspired by the form and function of classic retro tech. The Retrospekt CP-81 portable cassette player brings all the essential functions of the cassette tape experience to a new generation, wrapped from headphones-to-player in strikingly sweet Hello Kitty graphics. Rounding out the collection is the FC-11 35mm camera being offered here in two different Strawberry Kawaii designs. With a fixed-focus lens and optional flash, Retrospekt’s FC-11 is a direct result of the increasing demand for approachable, easy-to-use film photography products. Using it is as simple as lining up the shot and pressing the shutter button.
To complement each camera, Retrospekt created two unique camera bags — one to fit each camera style in the collection — each adorned with Hello Kitty artwork, patches and vibrantly-colored shoulder straps. The bags will be available independently from the cameras and are flexible enough to fit similar sized cameras and/or other small treasures.
The pairing should come as little surprise for fans of either brand. Sanrio and Retrospekt have released a string of well-received (and quick-to-sell-out) cameras together since 2019.
The Polaroid 600 Hello Kitty Kawaii film camera will retail for $179 and uses Polaroid 600 instant film (sold separately). The FC-11 film camera can use color or black & white 35mm film, available separately from Retrospekt or wherever 35mm roll film is sold, and will retail for $59. The CP-81 comes ready to rock for $99 and includes matching Hello Kitty headphones.
All the devices will be available from Sanrio.com, Retrospekt.com and select specialty retailers — like Urban Outfitters — starting November 3, 2023.
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.
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 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.