Style Q&A: Canadian eyewear brand aims to ease the struggle of finding frames for a small face
Credit to Author: Aleesha Harris| Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2019 18:00:32 +0000
Not all faces are the same, that’s something we can all attest to.
So, why are most eyewear options seemingly designed to fit one, same-sized face?
It’s a question Toronto designer Nerissa Jawanda kept asking herself whenever she set about to find the perfect pair of glasses for her petite face. Continually coming up empty-handed during her search, Jawanda decided to create her own brand of glasses designed for people with a similar shopping struggle. And Callula Co. was the result.
We caught up with Jawanda to learn more.
Nerissa Jawanda is the founder of the Canadian eyewear brand Callula Co.
Q. For those who aren’t familiar, what is Callula Co.?
A. Callula Co. is a premium line of petite sunglasses. We specialize in lightweight, fitted sunglasses that are retro-inspired. We put quality craftsmanship first, that’s why our sunglasses are handcrafted using only the best materials. Our lenses are optical grade and 100 per cent UV protected.
Q. How did the company come about?
A. Callula Co. started with a simple question from my boyfriend on a sunny day in Toronto: “How come you never wear sunglasses?” The truth was, I had always struggled to find sunglasses that were flattering on me. The simple answer was: “They look bad on me.”
Amused, and not quite convinced, he insisted we shop. After trying on dozens of pairs he could see what I meant. Everything I tried on was too big or bulky, leading to an awkward fit. He encouraged me to pursue a solution. I knew my mom hated all her sunglasses. I called some friends and many of them had a similar problem or knew someone who did. It wasn’t just me and my mom!
I launched Callula Co. with the goal to make stylish, premium sunglasses that offer a petite fit.
Q. Is there a story behind the name?
A. The name Callula comes from Latin, meaning “small beauty.”
Q. What makes it different from other eyewear brands?
A. Our focus is petite-fit eyewear. Our mission is to make you look great and feel confident in sunglasses that show more of your face. Callula Co. is also online-first and independent. We are proudly woman-owned and operated, working with talented women for product design, photography, manufacturing, and everything in between.
Q. Who is the target customer?
A. Initially our target was millennial women, but since launch we’ve seen interest from this demographic and beyond. Although our sunglasses are designed with women in mind, they are absolutely unisex. Whether you have a narrow face and struggle to find sunglasses that compliment you, or just prefer more fitted eyewear, Callula Co. has something for you.
Q. Where are the pieces designed/made?
A. All of our pieces are designed in Brooklyn, New York by eyewear designer Hayley Friel. They are made in China’s premier eyewear district at a woman-owned facility.
Q. And what is the price range for the collection?
A. Our current collection ranges from $160 to $180 Canadian.
Q. Where can people check them out?
A. Visit our website, callulaco.com. We offer free shipping, returns and exchanges on all online orders. In Toronto, we are now available at Glass Monocle Eyecare at 590 Bloor St W & 909 Queen St E. For future in-store and pop-up locations, stay up to date by joining our email list!
Q. And, lastly, what’s next?
A. It’s been fantastic getting feedback from our customers and we’ve been listening. We look forward to expanding our product offering in the future to include optical glasses while continuing to offer sunglasses which we’re known for. We also plan to expand our presence in eyewear shops across Canada. We know that some of our customers prefer to shop in-store and look forward to providing more opportunities for them to do so.