Pride Month in the world of eyewear is synonymous with charity

Inclusion and respect for diversity are themes cherished by those eyewear brands that create new eyewear for the express purpose of celebrating Pride Month every year.

The 2023 edition features a good number of former participants, a few new entries and, most importantly, a project led by five members of the Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA), the CFDA work group that intends to expand the presence and appreciation of eyewear as the vital part of contemporary fashion it is. The edCFDA Pride Eyewear Initiative is launched with the purpose of pinpointing the specific needs of the LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming community together with brand names Blake Kuwahara (Blake Kuwahara Eyewear), Christian Roth (Christian Roth Eyewear), Gai Gherardi (l.a. Eyeworks), Selima Salaun (Selima Optique), Stirling Barrett (Krewe Eyewear). Each designer has created a limited-edition sunglass whose collective proceeds from sales will benefit the TransLatin@ Coalition, an association of TransLatin@ leaders from different parts of the United States who organize and advocate for the issues and needs of TransLatin@ people living in the United States.

"What began as a modest idea led to our first collective launch in June 2022, which raised nearly $50,000 for the LA LGBT Center.  Based on this result and the enthusiastic reception from our business partners and end consumers, we hope to raise even more awareness and funds for the TransLatin@ Coalition," said Blake Kuwahara.

"Vision and visibility must go hand in hand in order to be liberating," added l.a.Eyeworks co-founder/designer Gai Gherardi, "and the edCFDA Pride Initiative is amplifying both ideas in a sensitive way."

All limited-edition eyewear models will come with a lens cleaning cloth created exclusively for the initiative by artist Pedro Silva.

The initiative of the five edCFDA designers is being joined by the Pride by Ralph Lauren capsule. These rainbow sunglasses celebrate the brand's longstanding commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. For more than 25 years, Ralph Lauren Corporation and Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation have proudly supported the LGBTQIA+ community through volunteer activities, corporate initiatives, and grants. By purchasing Ralph Lauren glasses, you make a donation to the Stonewall Community Foundation to support an international network of LGBTQIA+ organisations.

Ralph Lauren