While the world witnessed its Summer Solstice, aka the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, on Tuesday 21st June 2022, it’s only now that summers in the UAE, as well as the rest of the Middle East, are progressively going to make it difficult for us to step out of the comfort of our homes for the next 3-4 months with temperatures reaching a scorching 50°C or/and higher.
While people start taking extra care and precautions in terms of upping their water intake to avoid dehydration, setting a summer-focused skincare regime, etc., often, they forget about eye care. Protecting our eyes from UVA and UVB radiation is just as necessary as applying SPF so as to avoid eye problems such as macular degeneration and cataract development. Most good quality, highest UV rays protecting shades can be pretty pricey, here are 3 of the most affordable homegrown Arab brands offering some of the hottest styles this season to us Desert dwellers.
Karen Wazen Eyewear
In 2018, Global style icon and influencer Karen Wazen Bakhazi turned into an entrepreneur entering the eyewear market with her namesake brand “Karen Wazen Eyewear,” launched in Dubai. The collection showcases mainly classic, timeless style frames not following any specific micro-trends compared to most luxury brands today to suit every face shape, which makes it a staple piece to include at affordable prices ranging from AED 500-AED 700. The brand has its own website to purchase from. Other retailers include luxe e-commerce platform Moda Operandi and Harvey Nicholes stores across UAE.
Roberi & Fraud
Founders Ali Mehrdad Soudbakhsh and Stefan Foster, who also happen to be longtime friends, started this Dubai-based eyewear brand in 2017 after previously having co-founded consulting agency- Front Row Mode. With no prior experience in designing, the duo went on to create eyewear styles reminiscent of the 90’s micro sunglasses trend that has become quite popular in today’s pop culture scenario with the likes of Rihanna, supermodel Bella Hadid, the Kardashians, and Bollywood’s fashionista Sonam Kapoor is seen sporting these while being “papped” making these the ultimate affordable “Cool girl” sunnies to own with prices starting at AED 600 available to buy online and physically from THAT Concept Store located at Mall of Emirates.
Port Tanger
Named after the Moroccan city of Tangier, Port Tanger’s creative directors Bilal Fellah and Daniel Sumarna’s inspiration comes from the diversely vast culture seen in the Arab World and how they see the city as the junction between Africa and Europe. The label features signature curved frames that have been designed to suit everyone regardless of their face shape, with options to choose from either trendy, classic, or retro styles. Though, all the frames feature the culmination of six key factors that the brand embodies to symbolize tradition, nostalgia, culture, craftsmanship, design, and hope. The label’s pieces are available to buy on MatchesFashion and Farfetch websites starting at AED800.
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