Collage, courtesy FunTimes Magazine
Summer hits different when the sun comes out, and the melanin starts showing off. It is the season when everybody suddenly remembers they need a fresh pair of sunglasses. Not only are sunglasses the perfect summer accessory, but they also protect our eyes from harmful UV rays, elevate even the simplest outfit, and often serve as an extension of personal style.
The problem most people face is finding sunglasses that actually fit Black faces, complement deeper skin tones, and reflect our culture. However, a growing number of Black entrepreneurs are changing the narrative. They are creating eyewear that actually fits, reflects diverse facial features, and celebrates cultural heritage.
If you are looking for your next pair of sunglasses, these Black-owned brands have something to help you kick off your 2026 summer. Whether it is handcrafted frames inspired by African artistry or sunglasses designed for a wider range of face shapes, these brands are proving that style and purpose can coexist.
Godnii
Source: Godnii/Instagram
Godnii (GOD In I, GOD & I, GOD in eye) is a Black-owned eyewear brand from Detroit, founded by Ali Omar and Keri Roberts in 2014. Aiming to pay homage to Detroit’s tangible zeal and creative culture, Godnii works to elevate its innovative spirit. Godnii creates its products on 3 core principles: functionality, limited variety, and superior materials. Rather than chasing fast-fashion trends, each frame is carefully handcrafted over several days, creating products that prioritize durability as much as style.
“Our frames are made in small batches from premium, sustainable, and plant-based materials. As with many grassroots cultural movements, eyewear has been notoriously difficult to define,” said Omar and Roberts on their website.
Best for: Limited edition pieces, those who value craftsmanship and slow fashion.
Price range: From $15 for accessories to $1,200+ for fully custom, 1-of-1 handcrafted frames.
Bôhten
Source: bohten/Instagram
What started as an ambitious idea in Ghana has evolved into one of Africa’s most recognizable eyewear brands. Founded by Nana Boateng Osei and Nana Kwadwo Osei, Bôhten products have an allure that enables us to challenge the status quo while meeting industry standards, with help from some of the world’s top brand developers, engineers, and artisans.
“Our vision is simple: shift cultural paradigms, optimize the eyewear experience, and bridge the lineage between our forefathers and the generations of the future,” said the founders on their website. Bôhten incorporates sustainable practices into its operations and products and runs tree-planting programs in Ghana and Kenya to help turn the tide on rising deforestation. The brand also works with local communities on eyewear education and accessibility and provides employment opportunities to combat some of the highest youth unemployment levels in the world.
In 2025, the brand celebrated 13 years of operation, reflecting on a journey from reclaimed-wood frames in Accra to global recognition.
Best for: Sustainably minded shoppers, and those who want their purchase to mean something beyond fashion.
Price range: $200 – $400
Vontélle
Source: Vontelle, LLC/ Facebook
Nancey Harris and Tracy Vontélle Green are the founders of Vontélle Eyewear, a luxury eyewear brand that focuses on creating stylish brands with Black women in mind. Their products and accessories are designed and handcrafted to pay homage to their African ancestry, featuring traditional colors and patterns that channel African, Caribbean, and Latin heritage, with designs made from easily identifiable, recognizable, and appreciated materials such as mud cloth and kente fabric. The brand has also provided free eyeglasses and eye exams for families experiencing homelessness across New York City.
“Vontélle frames are intentionally designed with wider bridges, longer temples, and larger lens sizes to celebrate the diversity of our facial features—whether you’re blessed with high cheekbones, fuller faces, or broader noses. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Our frames are crafted to fit beautifully and comfortably, so you can feel confident all day long,” their About Us reads.
Best for: Culturally inspired frames, diverse face shapes, gifting.
Price range: $25 – $450, depending on specific frame models, materials, and custom lens additions.
SWAV Eyewear
Source: SWAV Eyewear / Facebook
SWAV Eyewear is a Black-owned inspirational eyewear brand that sells stylish sunglasses and frames to inspire you to never give up on the vision you have for your life. The brand was created by Isiah Fowler, a former member of the US Air Force who decided to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. SWAV stands for Starts With A Vision because that is their core belief. “For every pair of frames we sell, we put $5 into our Visionary Investment Fund. Twice a year, we give that money away to a few people who have a vision,” said Fowler in an interview.
Best for: Gifts with meaning, and those who want more than fashion from their accessories.
Price range: $150 – $250
Coco and Breezy
Source: cocoandbreezyeyewear / Instagram
Coco and Breezy Eyewear is an NYC-based eyewear company founded in 2009 by twin designers Corianna and Brianna Dotson. Their early designs were an instant hit in the entertainment and fashion worlds and have been featured in most major publications, such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. What started with customized eyewear designs quickly evolved into a global business worn by Beyoncé, Serena Williams, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, and the late Prince.
“Collaborating with a legend like Prince had a huge impact on our company,” Coco said. He asked for glasses with three lenses, and they sketched multiple ideas to turn his vision into a reality. “My dream was always to design glasses for an iconic artist,” Breezy said. When they are not designing glasses, Coco and Breezy work together as DJs and producers.
The brand continues to champion inclusivity through gender-neutral designs and frames intended to complement a variety of facial features. In 2026, the brand reached a major milestone as it entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Europa Eyewear.
Best for: Statement sunglasses, collectors, and anyone who wants to wear their personality.
Price range: $90 – $300
Nroda
Source: NRODA / Facebook
Imagine if you could count on a pair of shades to instantly elevate your style. That is Nroda! Keke Palmer, Angela Simmons, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg are all loyal clients of Nroda sunglasses. Handmade in New York City, the collections are inspired by founder Samantha Smikle’s Caribbean background and designed to elevate each wearer’s style. NRODA was officially established in 2012 as Tnemnroda (adornment spelt backward). In 2018, they rebranded as NRODA, which is “adorn” spelt backwards. The rebranding represented a newly refined brand image and also an expansion in the product line, which intentionally appeals to men as well, making the line officially unisex. “When our customer wears Nroda, I hope that they feel like an amplified version of themselves, incredibly empowered and super confident,” said Smikle.
Best for: Caribbean and diaspora wearers, and unisex styling.
Price range: $50 – $400
Anwuli Eyewear
Source: anwulieyewear / Instagram
Founded in Atlanta by Dr. Nwamaka Ngoddy, OD, Anwuli Eyewear aims to address the lack of size diversity in the eyewear industry, which primarily caters to European facial features. Rooted in culture, clinical expertise, and the belief that eyewear should feel as good as it looks, the brand blends Nigerian heritage with optometrist‑approved comfort. Ngoddy believes that individuals have unique facial landscapes and that everyone deserves fashionable eyewear that fits well.
Anwuli designs high-quality luxury frames with wider eye sizes, longer temples, and low bridge fits, catering specifically to those with flatter noses and broader facial structures that mainstream eyewear has consistently failed to accommodate.
Best for: Black and African facial features, inclusive luxury, meaningful gifting, prescription, and sunglasses.
Price range: $125 – $300
Shades of Shades
Source: Shades of Shades Eyewear / Facebook
Finding the perfect “nude” sunglasses has been difficult for many Black consumers because most brands have treated nude as a single shade rather than a spectrum. That frustration inspired Marsha Douglas-Sydnor to launch Shades of Shades in 2018.
“I was tired of searching for a pair of luxury nude sunglasses that actually complemented my complexion, so instead of waiting to come across it , I created it,” Douglas-Sydnor says.
The brand offers a unique 14-shade complexion palette designed to complement a broad range of skin tones rather than forcing customers to settle for one-size-fits-all neutrals.
Reflecting on the line’s success, Douglas-Sydnor says: “When people wear their shade of nude for the very first time, oh my gosh, it’s like the best gift that I can give to them because it’s like: ‘I feel custom, I feel seen, I feel heard, I am important’. We want the brand to be a one-stop shop location for anyone looking for their shade of nude.”
Best for: Melanin-rich skin tones, nude aesthetic lovers, and anyone looking for sophisticated everyday sunglasses that complement their skin tone.
Price range: Approximately $325–$395 for most sunglasses collections.
3rd Eye View
Source: 3rd Eye View / Instagram
According to InStyle, Beyonce.com, and Marie Claire, the brand is the “best known unknown” eyewear brand for its steadfast commitment to community, comfort, and quality. 3rd Eye View sunglasses are lightweight and made of biodegradable materials. The company was established as a helping hand to provide proper eye care, and its name reflects its role as the third eye for a community that is often overlooked. 3rd Eye View also hosts pop-up shops to educate communities about the importance of vision care and its role in literacy, society, and the economy.
Best for: Lightweight frames and community-conscious shoppers.
Price range: Approximately $25–$100
Source
Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies. She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
