Nostalgia Sells: From Kodak’s Charmera to Reebok’s Retro Drop
Kodak is nostalgic. And the mood is contagious.
Case in point is Kodak’s newest release, the Charmera, a digital tribute to the 1987 Kodak Fling, the company’s first-ever single-use film camera. Introduced in 1987, the Fling earned its place in the pages of history by making photography accessible, affordable, and fun, defining late ’80s and ’90s consumer culture, and laying the groundwork for the digital camera boom. In other words, it shaped how a generation captured and shared memories, a legacy the Charmera revives with style.
Image via Says.
Charmera: tiny design, mighty impact
Fast-forward to 2025, the Charmera fits on your keychain, shoots 1.6MP photos and 1080p video, and includes playful touches like seven vintage-inspired filters, four Kodak-branded frames, and a date stamp reminiscent of film-era photography. A small rear display blends tactile joy with digital convenience. The first batch vanished in under 24 hours, confirming what brand designers have long known: thoughtful nostalgia-driven design works. Good news: Second drop lands October 31 — blink and it’ll be gone!
Image via Hiconsumption.
Why nostalgia branding works
Nostalgia isn’t just a marketing gimmick; it’s wired into human psychology. In uncertain times, people gravitate toward familiar experiences that reduce stress, build emotional connection, and spark social conversation. Retro products resonate because they enhance perceived value, celebrate the analog era, and stand out in a saturated digital landscape. From vinyl to vintage cameras, the past provides a sense of authenticity that contemporary consumers crave — and smart brands are leaning into it.
Image via PetaPixel.
The collab we didn’t know we needed
Kodak’s nostalgia formula proves irresistible, sparking a collab we didn’t see coming: the Reebok x Kodak capsule, launching September 30, 2025. The drop revives ’90s Reebok classics like the Club C 85 and Classic Nylon with Kodak’s archival colors, aged details, and subtle branding, while also featuring apparel that channels retro, analog-inspired vibes.
This collaboration proves nostalgia-driven, retro-inspired branding isn’t just a trend. It’s a cultural force, a nostalgia-driven branding formula that, when done right, builds loyalty, sparks conversation, and bridges past and present across generations.
Image via Stupiddope.
You press the button, we do the rest.
Honoring a legacy — our collaboration with Kodak
Kodak’s knack for nostalgia isn’t new. Back in 1888, George Eastman launched Eastman Kodak Company with a revolutionary promise:
“You press the button, we do the rest.”
With that simple slogan, Kodak wasn’t just introducing a product, it was democratizing photography. For the first time, ordinary people could capture everyday life, creating what would soon be known as Kodak Moments. The brand stood for something radical at the time: that memory, emotion, and experience belonged not just to professionals, but to everyone. Remembering those simpler times and repurposing those memories for a newer audience can help products sell like hotcakes.
When Kodak approached Mucho, their identity had become fragmented. The brand had pivoted so many times: from film, to printers to digital tech, that the emotional core was no longer clear. But to us, the answer was in the archives: we mined Kodak’s design history to uncover key visual and cultural cues, then crafted modern concepts that refresh the brand while staying true to its heritage.
Dive in to the full Kodak case study here.
