Founder of Raie Eyewear
Hi Gemma - could you tell our community a little bit about yourself and your background?
Hi!!!! I own Australian label, Raie Eyewear. Raie bloomed during the little quarantine/ covid bubble in Aus and I aim to create feminine, elegant and sensual sunglasses that serve as fashionable and functional.
What got our attention is that your eyewear is sustainable. Of course most eyewear is made out of plastic… Why did you choose to start Raie? Did it come from your interest in eyewear or the need of offering sunglasses made from sustainable material alternatives?
The Australian beach culture is a huge factor behind my business. Raie started as hand sketching frame shapes in my bedroom that suited my face that I couldn’t find in the AU market. Every business owner has the power to change and implement sustainable practices in their day to day, sustainable acetate just made sense.
How would you define Raie and its mission?
Raie was born from the desire to design well-crafted sunwear for health-conscious leisure seekers. In order to transcend on trends and time, the range features timeless core tones and monotone colours that can be easily transitioned and updated with seasonal brights.
What’s your main piece of advice to a young woman who is trying to change her fashion habits yet struggles to find a style that represents her fully ?
Invest in one off high-quality sustainable pieces, less often and create a minimal staple wardrobe, that can easily be brightened or darkened with accessories and makeup.
Sustainable products often have the connotation of expensive. Is that true? Is vintage shopping an acceptable solution for long-term planet survival goals?
Sustainable doesn’t have to be expensive! Buying high quality sustainable pieces and vintage and thrift shopping is a great idea to incorporate more sustainable pieces into your wardrobe.
You chose to give sunglasses a second life. Is reusing our old fashion items one of the keys to your sustainability process?
For all sunglasses at Raie, we offer customers to send their old pairs back so we can restart the lifecycle of a new pair. Reusing, re-inventing and reupholstering are some practices I implement in my life.
Could you tell us about your entrepreneurial journey and what your ups and downs look like?
Raie has been my side hustle for 1.5 years now and I have loved the person I have become being a small business owner. Whether its planning shoots or doing customer service I couldn’t be happier and prouder of everything I have achieved in such a small amount of time!
Any exciting projects/collabs you would like to tell our community about?
We have two super exciting collabs launching this year (I can’t say who with yet haha)! Also a more masculine shade will be releasing in June!
Gemma – Wellness Guide
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The antibacterial wonder ingredient from New Zealand that powers acne-fighting products.
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The lightweight gel-cream formula has a pillowy, bouncy feel that blends seamlessly and leaves cheeks dewy.
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Balms based on basic Ayurvedic Dosha principles made with cold pressed organic sesame seed oil with plants, fruits and roots.
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A hydrating, multi-strain, liquid probiotic.
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Adaptogenic Reishi is known to help balance mood and support concentration.
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Made from Australian Essential Oils and created after a pursuit of scents that could remind them of their favourite Australian places.
Gemma – SUSTAINABLE Guide
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Australia’s largest zero waste and plastic-free store, providing beautiful, sustainable alternatives to everyday plastics.
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Reusable and uniquely handmade ceramics.
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Beautifully designed, innovative and highly functional environmentally sustainable products.
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