The word “Sunnies” makes one immediately think of the colors of California summer skies, the effortless Georgina Wilson brand of chic, and bold, scene-stealer eye frames that make a statement.

The eyewear brand Sunnies Studios has created a line of sunglasses that everyone seems to be sporting these days, and with good reason.

And it’s not even how your Sunnies can easily turn into the perfect flat-lay prop for your Instagram feed, or how it complements any outfit that people easily call out as #wardrobegoals.

It’s the fact that the brand can transform anyone to become fashion-forward.

It wasn’t long until the dynamic team of Eric Dee, Bea Soriano-Dee, Georgina Wilson and Martine Cajucom started to notice that their Sunnies frames were being conveniently converted into stylish prescription glasses. By April, they heeded the demand and launched their own optic line, Sunnies Specs.

Sunnies Specs adopts the same philosophy in each frame: fashion-forward, versatile and affordable.

Any frame, regardless of the material—handmade acetate, flexible TR90 resin or stainless steel, with single vision lenses—is worth P1,999.

“An optical shop would be carrying multiple brands, which means multiple price points. Since we have our own brand, we can maintain one price. Any frame you pick, it’s all at the same price,” Dee, Sunnies Studios finance director, said.

The basic lenses are multicoated and have UV protection, antiglare, antiscratch, antireflection and water-resistant features.

But if you want an upgrade, the brand also has protection that blocks harmful blue light emitted by gadgets; transition photochromic lenses for indoors and outdoors; impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses for active lifestyles; and the thinnest, lightest lenses for those with high-grade prescriptions.

Sunnies Studios, like most optical shops, offers an optometrist-conducted eye exam as part of its services. It makes the whole process of acquiring a new pair of glasses easier with the checkup not lasting more than two minutes, and ready for pickup in an hour after purchase.

Happy problem

But probably the hardest and most crucial step in getting a Sunnies Specs pair is choosing the eyeglass frame. There are over 130 styles to choose from, but if you think about it, that’s more like a happy problem.

Each frame is well-designed, with every detail—shape, nose bridge style, embellishments, tapered temples, color finish—all meticulously mixed and matched.

It has styles to match every face shape and taste; classic frame silhouettes are introduced in a contemporary flare.

“We really wanted to create a collection that would suit everyone. Obviously there are a lot of pairs I designed for myself,” Cajucom, creative director, said.

“But I wanted to make sure that my dad can come in the Sunnies Specs store and feel comfortable and pick a pair that would suit him,” she added. Or a pair that my niece can pick, something young and fresh, and also fun and quirky for her.”

The cat eye designs include the Dana, with rounded lenses to complement its quirky edges, and Cam, with a semi-rimless body with metal features to draw out the vintage style.

Like the sunglasses, color is also a big selling point. The brand kept its ombre gradients and specked and marbled patterns, but stuck to a more neutral palette.

Its first set of designs also has pieces with trendy staple frames often spotted in Japanese and Korean street fashion. These include the styles Mick, Pascal, Kip, Hans, Reid and Crispin.

Made with subtle tints or clear transparent acetate or resin, these frames have a simple and minimalist charm. Frames in these muted colors are surprisingly eye-catching but don’t take the attention from the eyes. In fact, it puts more emphasis on them, while also highlighting a person’s face shape.

For girls, the frames make it more encouraging to wear eye makeup as it magnifies the focus on the eyes.

The brand is said to be launching 40 new styles this August. Cajucom said that the second collection would be more playful and have a lot of muted peaches and lighter colors.

Sunnies Specs plans to design and release two collections annually.

“A lot of people have one pair that lasts them a year or two. What we want to do with ours is to make it affordable so that you can have a pair in your office, a pair in your car, a pair on your bedside table,” Dee said.

“Same with Sunnies, our business model is to change your glasses with your outfit, everyday,” he added.

Sunnies Specs is located at Glorietta 2, Mega Fashion Hall and UP Town Center. Two more branches in TriNoma and SM City Cebu will open this month.