Hemp-focused surf and streetwear brand Afends has expanded its product offering, launching a new collection of sunglasses.
The new collection draws inspiration from the brand's 2011 sunglasses range, which founders Jonathan Salfield and Declan Wise said was ahead of its time.
"In 2011 we launched a collection of sunglasses, they were inspired by high fashion and we feel looking back they were ahead of their time, so picking back up from 2011 we wanted to show the world what Afends sunglasses would look like today, handcrafted in Italy from premium Mazzucchelli M49 Bio-Acetate, these sunglasses are leading the way in sustainable eyewear," the duo said.
"After being in the fashion industry for 15 years, we're always looking for new ways to create new categories to expand into.
"Living in a coastal town, we spend a lot of time in sunglasses, and wanted to find a way to create our own sustainable eyewear, styles we would wear but could also be worn by a variety of different people, plus they pair perfectly with our clothes," Salfield and Wise said.
The collection features seven styles in colours including black, tortoise shell and clear orange.
Each of the styles is crafted using Mazzucchelli M49 Bio-Acetate, which is 100% biodegradable and compostable.
It is made from natural cellulose extracted from wood and cotton pulp fibres.
The founders added that the launch of the sunnies has been at least a year in the works.
"We have talked about creating eyewear on and off for the last few years, but just over a year ago we started creating our shapes and started our research into how they can be sustainable.
"There is a huge amount involved in sourcing materials, and factories that are able to give us a start to finish view of the production line, this takes a lot of time to perfect.
"Our womenswear designer created the shapes and we sent them away for sampling, we then designed the dust bag, box, and biodegradable shipping bags!
"After a lengthy process of perfecting the frames and the lenses, we were finally ready to roll them out," they said.
The launch of the sunnies follows the brand's collaboration collection with fellow Byron Bay brand, Stone & Wood.
Afends' eyewear collection is available now and retails from $260 and $300.
Afends founders Jonathan Salfield and Declan Wise