Channel Spotlight: Synthpop Circus

“I’m so excited for the future of social media and where it will take me next. Everything is so new with no real path but that’s what excites me, each day is different and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Like many on YouTube, Sammy Scott from Synthpop Circus started making videos to gain some confidence in herself. “I’m naturally very quiet and shy and often find it hard talking to new people,” she admits, talking about starting her channel about a year ago.

“Chatting to a camera really helped to get rid of those negative thoughts and feelings and I was able to really open up and feel much more comfortable in myself.” Now Sammy’s bubbly personality in her videos is enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face, and her friends and family have noticed the positive change in real life.

Sammy’s colourful content is inspired by all things internet and nostalgia. She takes a lot of inspiration from fellow pastel fashion creators such as Alex from Pretty Pastel Please, Jillian Vessey from Pixielocks and Heather Sparkles. “I’m also hugely nostalgic and often feel inspired by toys and TV shows from my childhood such as Polly Pockets, Barbies and The Powerpuff Girls just to name a few!”

As well as these Western influences, Sammy got into Japanese ‘kawaii’ (meaning ‘cute’) culture when she was in college due to browsing the internet for out of the ordinary fashion styles. “This was when I first stumbled upon tokyofashion.com and instantly feel in love with all the amazing styles in and around Tokyo. I had never seen anything quite like it before!”

After some research and delving into other aspects of kawaii culture such as J-Pop and anime, Sammy became “all about that kawaii life”, giving us the content we see on Synthpop Circus today!

After finishing a Bachelor’s Degree in Surface Design, she became interested in making her own kawaii pieces inspired by the culture, both modern and traditional, in Japan. She got the opportunity to display her degree work at New Designers in London, which she said was “just amazing!”

She found it to be extremely inspiring and a huge confidence boost and that “it was also really nice to chat to fellow new designers and see all the amazing work on display. I highly recommend a visit if you get the chance!”

What’s the greatest tool for new kawaii creatives? “Instagram, Instagram, Instagram!” says Sammy, “I honestly don’t know where I would be without it.” Whether it’s for sharing your own creations and style or gaining inspiration, Instagram is an essential for anyone looking to grow in pastel paradise!

Sammy also recommends using the internet to your advantage to connect with as many like-minded people as you can. “People can give so many great pieces of advice and to also let you know where they got that cute skirt or how they discovered that amazing new store… social media is such a great place and opens up so many doors to the kawaii community.”

Unfortunately, sourcing clothes from Japan can be pricey, so Sammy has some tips on how to be thrifty with your shopping. “I highly recommend Depop if you are looking for cute fashion on a budget. You can find so many adorable brands such as Wego, Swankiss and Esther Loves You at a fraction of the price compared to other online stores.” She also recommends charity shops and thrift shops – pastel vintage pieces go really well with Japanese fashion styles, especially fairy kei and larme kei!

Every creator has a person or brand that they’d LOVE to collab with, and for Sammy that’s Sanrio, the company behind characters like Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars and Gudetama. “I’ve been a big Hello Kitty fan for a large part of my life so younger Sammy (and Sammy now!) would be very proud if that were to ever happen!” With her YouTube future looking very bright, we hope Sammy gets to make this dream a reality!

YouTube can change people’s lives in a lot of ways, especially as just a few years ago the career paths that the internet is constantly creating didn’t even exist. This goes for Sammy as well, who says that “YouTube has influenced me in more ways than I would have ever imagined.”

With support from her friends and her partner (a “good egg!”) she is able to plan and make videos that she loves with brands she is inspired by, all while working a 9 to 5 job! Her dedication is inspiring and we hope she goes on to do amazing things!

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