Okay, so here's something we never planned on becoming, sunglass brand founders!
A mum and a daughter with over 50 pairs of frames, a SOLD OUT Dommer range that I wasn’t even sure would sell. Its not even been a year but we have a fun loving brand that honestly feels like the best thing we've ever done together.
So grab a coffee (or a wine, you know we don’t judge), because we're telling you the whole story.
It started with mum Leo always wanting to buy the newest trend of sunglasses when she already had a huge sunglass collection.
You know that feeling when you see a gorgeous pair of designer sunnies and you just have to look & you think “yes, those are the ones” then you flip them over for the price tag & they are well over $500, so you slowly think no that is absolutely not the one?
Yeah. That was us. Constantly.
We're both obsessed with what's happening on the runways in Europe and America. The coloured frames, the oversized shapes, the bold frames we were following all of it and wanting all of it. But we kept hitting the same issue when wanting to buy the designer versions were stunning & on-trend but completely out of reach for everyday wear and everyday budgets. The affordable versions? Let's just say they weren't exactly giving what they were supposed to give so Leo had to find a way that would allow her to own a various number of sunglasses but not at $500 a pair.
So one day, when Leo was having a girls lunch she was asked what she was going to do after she sold her Financial Planning business and instantly the answer was “start a sunglass brand”.
And here we are she said it out loud so building her own sunglass brand had to be done, there was no backing out now.
Bringing Shanae into the mix to initially help with the social media side of things and a different age era in the curation of the sunglass collection she thought would be a good choice. HaHa imagine a mother daughter starting a business together and yes there was lots of fights but all is going well and they both love what they do.
Sol & Kin was born May September 2025 after a move from Auckland NZ to Gold Coast Aussie.
Mum and daughter. Sunrises and family. Sol & Kin.
From day one, we knew exactly what we wanted to be, that friend who always knows what's on trend, tells you straight what suits your face, and never lets you spend more than you have to. That “tell a friend” energy that’s us, even if we have never met you and you message us we will be there to help you with your sunglass selection and share the love of our own sunglass obsession through bringing you a range of sunnies for each personality.
We spent days on ends finding frames that genuinely inspired us and knew that would belong not only in our collection but customers collections also. Not just cheap alternatives, but pieces that had real vibe. Designer inspired silhouettes, on-trend colour palettes, the kind of frames you actually want to be seen in.
We launched with over 50 pairs and honestly? We were nervous. Would people get it? Would they trust buying sunnies online without trying them on? How do we tell people who we are and that they can trust us.
Girl, they got it.
The frames that made us who we are!
We have to talk about the DOMMERS. We just have to.
The DOMMER is our signature frame and if you know, you know. The shape is everything, slightly retro, undeniably chic, the kind of frame that works whether you're at a rooftop bar or doing the school run. We launched them in a few colours but over time it was the red that absolutely raised eyebrows, now these were bought in as a little fun because Leo loves not be like everyone else and these are that very pair. “Wear red when everyone else is being basic”
The Red Dommers sold out faster than we could blink and as this is written the third re-stock is currently on its way. Initially bought in as a limited-edition frame for now they are here to stay providing we can keep up with demand.
And then there's the WILMA, Mumma Leo’s current obsession and honestly, it's easy to see why. The Wilmas are having such a moment right now. The shape is fresh off the European catwalks and every time we post them our sales on them pings.
These aren't just products to us they're the frames we actually wear even when the sun is not shining as they are made as the outfit not an accessory to an outfit, got it.
What Sol & Kin is really about!
We want every girl to feel like she can keep up with what's on trend without breaking the bank. We want you to open the white and gold luxe package, slide on a pair of Dommers, Diva’s, Halo, Muse all of it and get that little rush of “yes, this is exactly it” and it looks amazing.
We know buying sunnies online is a leap of faith. You can't try them on, you can't feel the weight of them on your face, you're just trusting us. That's something we think about constantly which is why we're always working to show our frames on as many different faces as possible, and why we love hearing from you when you tag us wearing yours.
We're a small brand with a big heart. We're genuinely obsessed with what we do. And we are just getting started.
Come along for the ride!
We'll be using this blog to share trend reports straight from the catwalks, honest style guides (including how to actually figure out your face shape, we've got you), behind the scenes moments, and our personal favourites as the collection grows.
If you've already got a pair of Sol & Kin frames, thank you, genuinely and we see you, we pack each order ourselves and know that you're part of this story.
And if you're new here? Welcome, lovely. You're going to fit right in. 🕶️
Find us on socials and come say hi drop us a comment we genuinely love hearing from you, were still so new and love building a community of bloody cool chics and guys.
If you've read thus far you deserve a medal so here you go use SOLSQUAD20 for a discount at checkout.
