Sun’s out: A growing list of our favourite local sunglasses brands
IMAGE VIA @lu.goldie/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY MAEVE KERR-CROWLEY AND FASHION JOURNAL
No boring shades here.
The key to a great look is often lies the accessories. Whether you’re scooping up a bag as you leave the house or carefully layering the perfect jewellery, the devil really is in the details. In Australia, where the weather is unpredictable and the UV levels are brutal, having a pair of sunglasses on hand is pretty vital.
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Luckily, there are plenty of local labels (and a few from across the ditch) making amazing eyewear that combines function and style, so there’s bound to be something out there to perfectly suit your needs.
Cat-eye, aviator, wayfarer – if you still haven’t found the right shape for your face, now’s the time. Below is an ever-growing list of some of our favourite local eyewear labels.
Velvet Canyon
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Velvet Canyon is a delightfully hazy combination of the past and the present, taking heavy inspiration from vintage style but still keeping things fresh and modern. Its quality acetate frames come in a palette made up largely of neutrals, with a mix of solid colours, classic tortoiseshell designs and fun yet understated prints. Every pair is also great for UV protection and comes packed in a biodegradable vegan leather pouch.
Poppy Lissiman
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Poppy Lissiman’s eponymous Australian label has been the face of eye-catching, fun fashion since 2008, producing bags, sunglasses and a host of other accessories. Its eyewear range features a huge variety of styles and silhouettes, offering everything from chunky acetate frames in bold colours and patterns to delicate floating lenses in intricate shapes.
Vehla
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Luxury eyewear brand Vehla was launched in Sydney back in 2019, aiming to create quality, functional accessories that didn’t compromise on style. Its most popular metal and acetate frames have sold out time and time again, gaining a loyal following both locally and overseas. You’ll find a mixture of vintage-inspired and modern styles in hard-to-find colourways, all chosen to fill gaps in the market.
Deering
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Launched in 2024 by Erin Deering (of Triangl fame), Melbourne-based label Deering is rooted in joyful celebration of everyday dressing with a distinct Australian twang. The label’s mood-boosting eyewear ranges from Y2K-inspired floating lenses to sporty flat-top frames and oversized ’70s aviators that will add a touch of extra to any outfit.
Bailey Nelson
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Calling all the prescription wearing girls out there. Eyewear label Bailey Nelsons extensive offering of polarised sunglasses are, in their own right stylish, but made that bit sweeter knowing you can opt for prescription lenses.
Szade
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Reduce, reuse, recycle with Szade, a Melbourne-based label creating recycled sunglasses. By collecting old, discarded or broken sunglasses and melting them down to be reformed into something new, the brand aims to cut down on waste and create a loop of creative, sustainable design. The range includes a wide variety of silhouettes, styles and colours so that anyone can find a pair of recycled sunnies to suit their aesthetic.
Lu Goldie
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Inspired by vintage designs spanning the ’60s to the ’90s, Lu Goldie’s range of sunglasses offers retro silhouettes, dreamy hues and flattering frames.
St Agni
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Byron Bay label St Agni has long been known for its sleek, utilitarian approach to clothing, and its foray into eyewear is no different. Find ’90s and Y2K-inspired glasses, fitted with mineral lenses.
Lexxola
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Lexxola is an effortlessly cool eyewear label specialising in unisex designs that you’ll want to wear every day. Its modern silhouettes, coloured lenses and high-quality frames are made to last and designed to instil confidence in the wearer. The brand is also focused on sustainable production through low-waste design, energy-efficient warehouses and regular contributions to sustainably-minded non-profit organisations.
Le Specs
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Le Specs is one of the most iconic eyewear labels in the business, having operated since 1979. Its huge range of men’s and women’s sunglasses covers just about every style or silhouette you can imagine and has been worn by an impressive number of celebrities and influencers worldwide.
Raie
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s=”p1″>Sunglasses aren’t just an accessory, they also serve a very important purpose in protecting our eyes from Australia’s harsh UV levels. Raie’s sustainably designed eyewear and shatter-resistant lenses all provide 100 per cent UV protection for “health-conscious leisure seekers”. To encourage more conscious spending and creative styling, the range is full of classic tones and colourways that can easily transition from season to season and year to year.
Radio Eyewear
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Based on Wadawurrung and Bundjalung land, Radio is an eyewear label inspired by a shared love of live music. With names like ‘The Fuzz’, ‘The Blues’ and ‘The Pearla’, Radio shades go hard while still being soft to the planet. Radio Eyewear recently collaborated with Melbourne skateboard label Hoddle on a mini capsule collection called “A New Vision of Luxury” inspired by ’80s designer sports frames. Crafted from eco-friendly bio-acetate, each pair is biodegradable and made from renewable sources.
Oscar and Frank
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Every pair of shades from Australian eyewear label Oscar and Frank is meticulously designed in-house using top quality Cellulose Acetate and sun lenses with 100% UVA protection. You’ll find plenty of chic cat eye shapes, wrap around styles and classic silhouettes to suit even the most hard-to-match face shapes.
Epøkhe
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Founded by a filmmaker and two professional surfers, Epøkhe is both an eyewear label and a platform for surfing, design, art and film. With a focus on ethical production, interesting design and quality materials, Epøkhe make shades you’ll want to wear inside. In a cool, mysterious way, of course.
Shevoke
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If you’re a fan of a ’90s slim frame, Shevoke has the all the options for you – sophisticated and sexy, as seen on all the fashion It Girls and Jenners. Founded by Queensland-born Lisa Hyde, Shevoke eyewear recently launched its handcrafted collection of eco-friendly eyewear that’s manufactured sustainably and ethically using a plant-based plastic that is durable, lightweight and hypoallergenic.
Head here for everything you need to know about protecting your eyes from the sun.
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