Browse Tag

glasses

4 mins read

Black Owned Eyewear Brands You Should Know

Black-owned eyewear brands are a growing force in the fashion and accessory industry, offering unique designs and high-quality products that cater to the needs of individuals seeking both style and function.

From sunglasses to prescription glasses, these brands are creating products that cater to a diverse range of customers and provide a refreshing perspective on the traditional eyewear market. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community, these brands are not only making a statement with their products but are also making a positive impact in the lives of their customers and in their communities.

Whether you’re in need of protection from the sun’s harmful rays or require prescription lenses to see clearly, there is a black-owned brand that has the perfect solution for you.

Black Owned Eyewear Brands

SWAV Eyewear

SWAV Eyewear is an inspirational eyewear company that sells stylish sunglasses & frames to inspire you to never give up on the Vision you have for your life.

Ember Niche

black owned eyewear

Ember Niche eyewear was established to provide imaginative eyewear and to promote the concept that “Your face is your brand.”

3rd Eye View

black owned eyewear

Paying homage to the esoteric concept of a speculative invisible “inner” eye, 3rdeyeview has provided perception beyond ordinary sight since it’s founding in 2014.

Godnii

GODNII is a distinctive vision and fashion company most known for its emerging eyewear lines made in small batches from premium, sustainable and plant-based materials.

Shades of Shades

Shades of Shades is a luxury nude eyewear brand that believes in self-love and unity and offers a range of 14 custom complexion palette shades.

Eyewear Love Affair

Eyewear Love Affair is an Oakland-based boutique that takes pride in curating a collection of edgy optical frames that are not only stylish but also high-quality and durable.

Kimeze

black owned eyewear

Kimeze is a London-based unisex eyewear brand established in 2021. Their collection features fashion-forward acetate and metal frames handcrafted in small batches, and they are committed to using sustainable materials in their packaging.

Alexandros Eyewear

Alexandros Eyewear creates fashionable magnum size frames for consumers that struggle to find designer frames in their sizes.

Anwuli Eyewear

black owned eyewear

Anwuli, pronounced Ann-woo-lee, is a name of Igbo origin which means ‘Joy.’ Anwuli Eyewear is on a mission to bring joy to the wearer through its unique and inspired eyewear designs.

CEV Collection

The CEV Collection offers a range of sunglasses and blue light blocking glasses. CEV, which stands for ‘Clear Eye View’, believes that a focused vision is key to making changes in life, achieving goals, and finding purpose.

AfriNaad

AFRINAAD is all about making fashion statements and revealing your boldest, baddest, and most confident inner icon. Their purposely lensless brand will have all eyes on you.

HYVE-Life

HYVE-Life offers a diverse range of styles including vacation sunglasses, everyday sunglasses, blue light blockers, clear lenses, and more. Their name, an acronym for “Helping Your Vision Evolve”, reflects their commitment to helping customers improve their vision.

by Tony O. Lawson

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4 mins read

Veteran Creates The First Black Owned Inspirational Eyewear Brand

SWAV Eyewear is a Black-owned inspirational eyewear brand that sells stylish sunglasses & frames to inspire you to never give up on the vision you have for your life.

The brand was created by Isiah Fowler, a former member of the US Air Force who decided to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. We caught up with Isiah to find out more about him and his business.

Black Owned Inspirational Eyewear
Isiah Fowler

What inspired you to start an eyewear brand?

I was inspired by the lack of meaning and purpose in the eyewear market and the fact that I wanted to reach more people with my message. All I ever saw in the industry was a product being sold. I never saw anything being done with meaning, purpose, and a vision.
Black Owned Inspirational Eyewear
I wanted to bring inspiration to the eyewear industry. I also had a podcast called “Starts With A Vision podcast ” that I wanted to reach more people with and I knew I’d be able to do that with a product so I turned the meaning and concept of my podcast into an Inspirational Eyewear Company and Brand.
Black Owned Inspirational Eyewear

Briefly explain the thought process that went into selecting a manufacturer?

When I first Started SWAV Eyewear I sourced my manufacturer from China. However,  when I received the product, I was devastated by the lack of quality.

It was at that moment I dedicated myself to finding a manufacturer with top of the line quality. I had already been looking for one in Europe and after my first inventory run from China, I dedicated myself to find a new one.

Two months later I flew to Greece to meet them and design the next two collections.

 

What has been the most challenging thing about being an entrepreneur so far? What has been the most rewarding?

The most challenging thing about being an entrepreneur so far has been understanding the fact that success is not something you are entitled to. Therefore, you must become a responsible individual if you want your business to blossom.

The most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur has been going through the process that forced me to become the person I am now. Entrepreneurship will test you in a myriad of ways and you must rise to the occasion no matter what is presented to you.
Black Owned Eyewear

What is your vision for your business in the next 5 years?

My Vision for SWAV Eyewear is to be able to be in a position to give away $1 million to entrepreneurs through our Visionary Investment Fund.

For every pair of frames we sell, we put $5 into our Visionary Investment Fund. Twice a year we give that money away to a few people who have a vision.

SWAV stands for Starts With A Vision because that’s our core belief. When I was younger my goal was to make a million, but as I’ve grown the goal has evolved into me wanting to be able to give away a million.

Black Owned Inspirational Eyewear

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

The advice I have is to know yourself and work on yourself more than you work on your business.

The success of your business is simply a by-product of the person you become. Where you want to go in life will demand a greater version of yourself so it’s important to stay grounded and focus on what’s important.

 

-Tony O. Lawson


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