Lu Goldie

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 8 November 2026

Australia is home to several standout independent and sustainable eyewear labels, alongside global icons available locally.

### Top Australian Sunglasses Brands

- Good Citizens: Based in Sydney, this multi-award-winning brand crafts modular, super-lightweight sunglasses from a single recycled plastic bottle with zero screws or metal waste. Explore the range directly on the Good Citizens Eyewear Store. - Poppy Lissiman: Known for bold, non-conformist, and high-fashion statement frames, this Perth-raised and Sydney-based designer is a favorite among global fashion icons. - Szade: A Melbourne-based label that melts down discarded, broken, or unwanted frames destined for landfill into fresh, retro-to-modern sunglass silhouettes. - Le Specs: An iconic Australian cult-status brand famous for retro 90s nostalgia and affordable, trend-forward shapes. - Quay Australia: Originating from festival style, Quay offers massive oversized frames, shield shapes, and high-impact influencer-approved designs. - Vehla: A Sydney luxury eyewear brand delivering vintage-inspired and sculptural acetate and metal frames. - Lu Goldie: Specializes in dreamy pastel hues, retro 60s and 90s shapes, and flattering vintage silhouettes.

### Popular International & Performance Brands in Australia

- Ray-Ban: The timeless classic for Wayfarers, Clubmasters, and Aviators, widely stocked via the Ray-Ban Australia Store. - Oakley: The go-to choice for high-performance sports optics, cycling, and glare-reducing Prizm lenses (such as the Sutro series).

To help narrow down the best pair for you, let me know:

- Are you looking for an everyday fashion style or sports/outdoor performance? - Do you have a budget in mind?

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 8 November 2026

Australia has a seriously good independent sunglasses scene at the moment. If you're looking beyond Le Specs, Ray-Ban and the usual designer labels, these are the brands I'd have on my radar in 2026.

I've prioritised newer, boutique and design-led Australian labels rather than the mainstream players.

## 12 Australian sunglasses brands worth knowing

My shortlist, ranked by design appeal and individuality.

![Eyewear - Deering](

1\. Deering

(One to watch)

Modern, sculptural and fashion-forward. Think oversized 70s shapes, floating lenses and beautiful metal details.

Approx. \$250-\$350 · Launched 2024

Shop Deering

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!Australian Eyewear Brand Velvet Canyon New Range | Hypebae

2\. Velvet Canyon Very cool Byron Bay aesthetic. Vintage-inspired, understated luxury, interesting acetate and gorgeous silhouettes.

Approx. \$200-\$330

Shop Velvet Canyon

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![Retrospect

- Lu Goldie](

3\. Lu Goldie Playful, retro and distinctly fashionable. Beautiful colours, unusual shapes and 60s-90s references.

Approx. \$200-\$300

Shop Lu Goldie

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!PRIME TIME. Newtown Tort Gloss | Burnt Ochre Gradient - VAANYARD® | Applied Vision

4\. VAANYARD A particularly interesting emerging Sydney label. Minimal branding, substantial Japanese-made acetate and architectural shapes.

Premium independent positioning

Shop VAANYARD

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!west end; mint / matcha | Szade Recycled AU

5\. Szade Melbourne-based, affordable and trend-driven. Great 90s and Y2K silhouettes, with frames made using recovered eyewear materials.

Approx. \$50-\$100

Shop Szade

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!Tommy Napolitano - Campaign ADV/ VEHLA

6\. Vehla Refined, feminine and minimalist. Think understated luxury, vintage-inspired shapes and sophisticated colourways.

Approx. \$180-\$250

Shop Vehla

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![Void - Black Polished / Black

- EPOKHE EYEWEAR](

7\. Epøkhe Surf culture meets contemporary design. Strong frames, interesting shapes and a very cool creative identity.

Approx. \$200-\$290

Shop Epøkhe

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!Pared Eyewear

8\. Pared Eyewear Playful but sophisticated. Geometric shapes, unusual proportions and interesting colour combinations.

Shop Pared

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!Sustainable Sunglasses Made in Australia - Good Citizens Eyewear

9\. Good Citizens Sydney brand with a genuinely interesting sustainability story: recycled plastic frames and modular, repairable construction.

Approx. \$130

Shop Good Citizens

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![Heyuboy - Green - Poppy Lissiman](

10\. Poppy Lissiman Bold, eccentric and fashion-focused. Great if you want something that makes a statement.

Approx. \$200-\$300

Shop Poppy Lissiman

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!AM Eyewear - Spex in the City Optical Dispensary

11\. AM Eyewear More premium and sophisticated. Beautiful Italian acetate, distinctive proportions and excellent everyday designs.

Approx. \$250-\$450

Shop AM Eyewear

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!OUT OF SIGHT - Eco Black / Grey Polar

12\. OTIS Particularly worth considering if lens quality matters as much as aesthetics. Known for mineral glass lenses and durable construction.

Approx. \$200-\$350

Shop OTIS

www.broadsheet.com.aufashionjournal.com.aumivision.com.au

## My top five

| If you want… | My pick | |--------|--------| | Emerging fashion label | Deering | | Quiet luxury | Vehla | | Cool vintage aesthetic | Velvet Canyon | | Something different | Lu Goldie | | Best affordable option | Szade |

## A few brands I'd investigate first

![Angie Sunglasses - Gold with Sepia - Deering](

Deering

Fashion-forward

!Mirage' in Mocha - Velvet Canyon Eyewear

Velvet Canyon

Vintage cool

![LU-GOLDIE Salomé Sunglasses in Banana Milk

- Lu Goldie](

Lu Goldie

Playful designer

!PRIME TIME. Black Gloss | Grey Gradient - VAANYARD® | Applied Vision

VAANYARD

Under-the-radar premium

One thing\: Given Australia's UV levels, I'd look for AS/NZS 1067.1 compliance and Category 3 lenses for everyday bright-sun use.

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I'd love to narrow this down by aesthetic: are you after something more like The Row / Khaite / Celine \(understated, expensive-looking, sculptural) or Jacquemus / Loewe / vintage fashion \(more unusual, oversized and statement-making)?

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 8 November 2026

The most Instagram-famous sunglasses brands available in Australia are:

- Quay Australia - Best for bold, affordable, influencer-style frames; often considered the go-to Instagram sunglasses brand. - Le Specs - Best for affordable retro designs, especially slim 1990s styles and cat-eye frames. - VEHLA - Best for minimalist, luxury-looking “cool girl” sunglasses; popular with celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. - Poppy Lissiman - Best for dramatic, colourful and fashion-forward statement sunglasses frequently seen on Instagram. - Pared Eyewear - Best for artistic, colourful shapes and playful Australian designer styling. - Velvet Canyon - Best for sustainable, 1970s-inspired frames with a Byron Bay aesthetic. - POMS - Best for distinctive, colourful designer sunglasses; the Melbourne label has been worn by major celebrities. - AM Eyewear - Best for premium Australian-made, sculptural frames. - Lu Goldie - Best for retro-inspired, model-off-duty styles. - Ray-Ban - Best for iconic, instantly recognisable classics such as the Wayfarer and Aviator.

Top three overall: 1. Quay Australia for the strongest Instagram presence and accessible prices 2. Le Specs for stylish everyday sunglasses 3. VEHLA for a more premium, minimalist look

For the most distinctive Instagram aesthetic, choose Poppy Lissiman, Pared or Velvet Canyon. Look for sunglasses labelled 100% UVA/UVB protective, rather than judging quality by appearance alone.