The second annual edCFDA Pride Eyewear Initiative was launched in New York this week, with all five designers gathering at The Loft to present their individual frames. The Initiative is an annual charitable venture driven by the eyewear designers to target and highlight specific needs within the broad spectrum of the LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming community. This year, a portion of proceeds will benefit the TransLatin@ Coalition whose members are TransLatin@ leaders from different parts of the U.S., who organize and advocate for the issues and needs of TransLatin@ individuals residing in the United States (translatinacoalition.org) Above: a dedicated lens cleaning cloth has been created exclusively for the initiative by the New York-based artist, Pedro Silva (www.pedrosilvaart.com)
The frames have been designed will completely unique shapes and colours, referencing the pride flag with bold combinations and design details.
The designers – Blake Kuwahara (Blake Kuwahara Eyewear), Christian Roth (Christian Roth Eyewear), Gai Gherardi (l.a.Eyeworks), Selima Salaun (Selima Optique), Stirling Barrett (Krewe Eyewear) – are members of the Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA), a working group of the CFDA that seeks to expand the understanding and presence of designer eyewear as a vital component of contemporary fashion. cfda.com