“While it is the eyewear designers, with the CFDA’s support, who have piloted this outstanding effort, it is also a testament to the optical community – retailers and customers alike – who have embraced the importance of visibility for these causes,” said Gai Gherardi, co-founder/ designer of l.a.Eyeworks, who designed one of the seven limited edition sunglass designs. The others were designed by Blake Kuwahara, Christian Roth, Jeff Press, Patty Perreira, Selima Salaun, and Stirling Barrett.

“Given the expanding legacy and impact of the edCFDA Pride Eyewear Initiative, Bring Change to Mind is honored to be recognized for our mental health work with high school teens across the country,” said Bring Change to Mind Executive Director Pamela Harrington. “We are excited to partner with the designers that will be donating a percentage of their Pride collection sales to enable the growth of our LBGTQ+ programs. BC2M’s peer-led clubs are building safe spaces for students to convene in their schools, create connectivity, build critical supports, promote allyship and save lives.”

Kuwahara added, “Access to mental health resources particularly for LGBTQ+ youth is so critical and often lacking in most communities. We’re honored to partner this year with Bring Change To Mind to help them continue their support programs and to broaden their reach to even more high schools across the United States.”

The edCFDA Pride Initiative has donated over $100,000 to LGBTQ+ causes in its first two years.

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