Fab 5: Sunny days ahead
Credit to Author: Stephen Snelgrove| Date: Fri, 09 Aug 2019 18:00:09 +0000
Hopefully by now, you’ve gotten good wear out of your favourite pair of sunglasses this summer — enough wear to justify investing in a new pair. And if not, well, these ones are all by Canadian brands, and supporting local is always a pretty good reason in our books to shop. Whether you’re looking to supplement your staple pair or up for something a bit more statement, Rebecca Tay discover five homegrown brands making waves on the sunglasses scene right now.
In the 80s, there was a small factory named Tannereye on Prince Edward Island that specialized in making leather-covered frames for everyone from Ray-Ban to Ralph Lauren. The remaining stock, including original prototypes with handwritten notes, was found in a basement in 2016 and are now available through Fellow Earthlings, another specialty eyewear company on P.E.I.is ‘Ranger Premium’ pair features English bridle leathers and metal frames covered in at least two microns of corrosion- and tarnish-resistant, heavy gold electroplating.
Canadian Sunglasses, thecanadiansunglasses.com | $650
Based in Toronto and designed in Brooklyn, N.Y., Callula Co sunglasses are made especially with a petite fit, meaning you can avoid that awkward bug-eyed look and frames that always slip off your nose and ears. We love this ‘Sugar Beach’ silver pair for their mirrored lenses and decidedly cool SoCal vibe.
Callula Co., callulaco.com | US$135
Christopher and Sydney Seggie are the duo behind Fellow Earthlings, a Prince Edward Island outfit that specializes in handmade-to-order sunglasses that are truly something special. Case in point: this ‘Annie’ style from their RE:FE collection, made entirely from recycled materials.
Fellow Earthlings, fellowearthlings.com | $450
Founder Harbir Sian started Oxford & Kin (originally named Kingsley Eyewear but recently rebranded) in 2017 and quickly became known for his do-good partnership with Optometry Giving Sight, an organization that educates and trains people in areas of need to provide eye care. Each pair of glasses is handmade made from Italian acetate and named for a significant region; these retro-tinged ‘Hudson’ sunnies were inspired by the Hudson River and New York businessmen of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Oxford & Kin, oxfordandkin.com | $195
BonLook was created in Montreal in 2011 by Sophie Boulanger and her brother, Louis-Félix, to fill a gap in the market for high fashion glasses for less-than-designer prices. The family-run company now has 300 employees and more than 30 locations across the country, where fun, trend-led styles like this ‘Fever’ pair — also available in black and warm toffee — fly off the shelves.
BonLook, bonlook.com | $149