FASHTALKS WITH VONTÉLLE EYEWEAR

Tell us the story behind how your brand came to life. What inspired its creation?

Vontélle Eyewear was born out of a very personal need. The concept for Vontélle was born out of the need of both founders, who each lost their expensive eyewear within the same year and decided to focus their efforts on making their next purchases from a Black-owned brand. After searching high and low for glasses that were stylish, better fitting, and had an ethnic flair, they realized it simply did not exist. That is when Tracy suggested we start our own line, and Nancey booked our fate determining trip to Paris. Due to their loss, the company offers unique protection for consumers by providing a one-year/one-time replacement warranty from date of purchase if your eyewear is lost, stolen, damaged, or broken.

Size Matters! For centuries, many have been wearing ill-fitting glasses and endured the painful line across our noses, indentation on the cheeks and headaches. The Co-Founder’s research in 2019 concluded that many of us are wearing ill-fitting glasses. Vontélle designs comfortable fitting eyewear with wider bridges for your nose, longer temples for behind the ears and larger lenses for high cheekbones.

How did you choose your brand name, and what does it represent?

The name Vontélle is Tracy’s middle name. The name “Vontélle,” translated from French as “there she goes” or “to go,” reflects movement, confidence, and presence. Our eyewear is designed to command attention in every room—at work, at play, and in every moment— encouraging wearers to walk boldly through the world with clarity, style, and purpose. It is a blend of elegance and strength. It’s unique, just like the people we design for, and it reflects our belief that eyewear should feel personal and elevated. The accent in the name nods to global influence and cultural richness, while the sound of it feels powerful and refined—exactly how we want our customers to feel when they put on our frames.

"At Vontélle, we believe that beauty comes in every shape, shade, and silhouette. That’s why our eyewear is intentionally crafted with wider bridges, longer temples, and larger lens sizes—to celebrate the stunning diversity of our facial features. Whether you have high cheekbones, a fuller face, or a broader nose, our frames are designed to fit you—not force you to fit them. We reject the one-size-fits-all standard. Our mission is to ensure you feel seen, comfortable, and confident—all day, every day."

What core values guide your brand, and how do they show up in your designs?

Our core values are representation, authenticity, craftsmanship, and confidence. These values show up in every detail—from our bold patterns inspired by global textiles, to our commitment to size-inclusive frames that actually fit real faces. We design with intention, ensuring that every frame feels like a statement, not an afterthought.

What inspired you to become a designer, and how has that influence evolved?

Design has always been a way for us to express identity and creativity. What started as an appreciation for fashion and aesthetics evolved into a deeper purpose: creating products that reflect culture and lived experiences that are often overlooked. Over time, our influence has shifted from simply making beautiful things to making meaningful ones.

As women who wear glasses every day, we were tired of choosing between frames that felt generic or frames that felt trendy but disconnected from who we are and that hurt – gave us headaches and left indentations on our face. We didn’t see eyewear that celebrated culture, heritage, and individuality in a bold, unapologetic way. So we decided to create it ourselves. Vontélle started as a passion project and quickly became a mission: to design eyewear that tells a story, honors ancestry, and empowers people to be seen—clearly and confidently

Walk us through your creative process from concept to finished piece.

Our process starts with storytelling. We often begin with a cultural reference, a historical detail, or even a conversation about what’s missing in the market. From there, we develop color stories, patterns, and silhouettes that align with that inspiration. Prototypes are tested for comfort, fit, and durability before final production. Every frame goes through multiple refinements to ensure it looks as good as it feels. The names of the individual frames are inspired by African countries, horticulture, Kings and Queens and notable African American figures who have made significant contributions in various fields. These include Black icons in history like Alice Walker, Phyliss Wheatley, Thurgood Marshall and Medgar Evers. There is thought in every frame. The co-founders of Vontélle are both HBCU alumnae and met as students at Morgan State University in Baltimore. We have also created a frame line of rich design elements juxtaposing patterns and textures to reflect many sorority and fraternity colors.

What sets your brand apart in today’s fashion landscape?

Vontélle doesn’t whisper—we make a statement. We sit at the intersection of fashion, culture, and function. Our frames are not only visually striking but also size-inclusive and thoughtfully engineered. We’re also a Black-owned, women-led brand, and that perspective informs everything we do—from design to storytelling to community building. 

Vontélle vision is to become the leading African American woman-owned eyewear brand, redefining luxury through extraordinary design, superior fit, and fashion-forward frames created specifically for diverse faces. At Vontélle, we believe that beauty comes in every shape, shade, and silhouette. That’s why our eyewear is intentionally crafted with wider bridges, longer temples, and larger lens sizes—to celebrate the stunning diversity of our facial features. Whether you have high cheekbones, a fuller face, or a broader nose, our frames are designed to fit you—not force you to fit them. We reject the one-size-fits-all standard. Our mission is to ensure you feel seen, comfortable, and confident—all day, every day.

What was your first experience in the fashion industry, and how did it shape you?

Our early experiences taught us how challenging it can be to break into an industry that wasn’t built with everyone in mind. Those moments sharpened our resilience and reinforced the importance of owning our narrative. They also inspired us to create space—not just for ourselves, but for others who want to see themselves represented.

What has been your biggest challenge so far, and what did it teach you?

One of our biggest challenges has been scaling while staying true to our vision. Growth often comes with pressure to conform, but we’ve learned that authenticity is our greatest asset. Staying rooted in our mission has helped us make better decisions and build stronger partnerships. In a historic milestone, Vontélle became the first Black women-owned eyewear brand to collaborate with National Vision, Inc., the nation’s second-largest optical retailer. The limited edition Official by Vontélle collection debuted in 900+ America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses locations nationwide, marking the first time the brand appeared on the shelves of a national optical chain. This partnership validated Vontélle ability to compete at scale while maintaining brand integrity. And they continue to order monthly as our size inclusive frames are needed by so many.

What accomplishment are you most proud of to date?

Think about this: In 2022, the global eyewear market was valued at approximately $170 billion and estimated to grow to $300 billion by 2029. Yet there are less than a handful of Black eyewear makers. We are incredibly proud of seeing Vontélle worn by people who feel seen and celebrated in our frames—from everyday customers to cultural icons and high-profile collaborations. Each milestone reminds us that our story resonates and that representation truly matters.

Vontélle is the first (1st) Black Women Owned Eyewear company to design a collection for America's Best 900+ stores nationwide and obtain a licensing agreement with Nickelodeon Paramount to create a children’s line (also sold online at Amazon & Walmart). In addition, Saks Fifth Avenue carried a curated collection online, and we designed a commemorative 50th Hip Hop Collection, celebrity partnership with Kadeem Hardison to create his signature flip-up eyeglasses, inspired by his iconic character Dwayne Wayne from the show “A Different World”. Co-Founders listed on Forbes 50 Over 50 2024 Lifestyle List as result of historical launch with America’s Best. Moreover, we have expanded to 100+ Optometrists/Optician offices nationally and internationally including Canada, Puerto Rico, Caribbean & Mexico. Notably, we have partnered with VSP insurance plan, Shop Bop and Sam’s Club to sell our top sellers.

Most importantly, eyewear is not only an extension of your wardrobe, but a necessary medical device. The National Institute of Health’s National Eye Institute report that, African Americans & Hispanics/Latinx are more likely to have cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy than any other ethnic group. Befittingly, Vontélle has partnered with WIN (Women In Need) a New York City organization with over 14 homeless shelters, and we provide free eye exams and donate prescription eyewear to men, women, and families in need.

"Size Matters! For centuries, many have been wearing ill-fitting glasses and endured the painful line across our noses, indentation on the cheeks and headaches. The Co-Founder’s research in 2019 concluded that many of us are wearing ill-fitting glasses. Vontélle designs comfortable fitting eyewear with wider bridges for your nose, longer temples for behind the ears and larger lenses for high cheekbones."

How do you connect with your customers and use their feedback?

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We actively engage with them through social media, events, and direct conversations. Their feedback influences new designs, colors, fit improvements, and even future collections. We listen closely because our community helps shape the brand.

Outside of your brand, what are you most passionate about?

We are passionate about storytelling: health, cultural preservation, and empowering women—especially women over 50—to embrace visibility and confidence at every stage of life. We believe style has no age limit and self-expression should only get bolder with time, but you must put yourself first – your health as priority.

We are also most passionate about our family and friends. It’s hard to reach 50-years old and start to see your colleagues and family ill or pass away at early age due to sickness and you realize you can’t take any of this with you. Only the feeling of love from those close to you. It’s important to keep the experiences and contact with loved ones daily.

What excites you most about the future of your brand?

The future of Vontélle is incredibly exciting. We’re looking forward to expanding our collaborations, exploring new product categories, and continuing to push boundaries in design and inclusivity. Most of all, we’re excited to keep telling stories through eyewear and building a global community that leads with confidence and culture.