“Our first collective launch in June 2022 raised nearly $50,000.00 for the LA LGBT Center.  Building on that momentum and enthusiastic reception from our retail partners and the end consumers, we hope to raise even more awareness and funds for the [email protected]

This donation was used for their Senior Services Program, providing housing, medical care, social services, community work, and even a senior prom, according to Christian Roth, who spearheaded the designers and CFDA members, which include Blake Kuwahara (Blake Kuwahara Eyewear), Christian Roth (Christian Roth Eyewear), Gai Gherardi (l.a.Eyeworks), Selima Salaun (Selima Optique), Stirling Barrett (Krewe Eyewear)

Design-wise, the creatives were given free rein, but most riffed on the rainbow, which has become the motif for the LGBTQIA+ communities, for the special-edition style each created.

The styles include the Randolph from Kuwahara, the Armer from Roth, the Conti from Krewe, Tuto Bene from l.a.Eyeworks, and the Onassis X Pedro Silva from Selima. Additionally, each pair comes with a lens cloth designed by Silva. In keeping with a grassroots movement, the designers will roll up their sleeves to promote the project.

“We are keeping promotion costs to a minimum in order to achieve the maximum impact of actual donations. Each designer is hands-on to execute and promote this initiative. During Vision Expo New York in March, the group collectively presented this collection to high-end optical retailers, resulting in more than 100 enthusiastic retailers ordering,” said Roth in an interview with FashionNetwork.com

He said that the group would also seek prominent figures in the trans-Latinx community to wear the sunglasses through the initiative, which lasts until the styles sell out. The styles range from $335 to $800. They are available at optical stores such as l.a.Eyeworks, Dita