Founder Nwamaka Ngoddy, OD, had a clear mission when she launched Anwuli Eyewear in 2019: as a practicing optometrist, Dr. Ngoddy observed a dire need for frames that were versatile and inclusive. Throughout her career, she would hear her Black patients in particular share their struggles with finding fashionable eyewear that complemented their facial features. Dr. Ngoddy resolved to create a brand that would cater to this particular demographic, bringing them a variety of flattering frames that would suit their facial structures. She surveyed patients and opticians to identify the three major pain points which were most frequently reported, and designed frames which would be more comfortably built. According to Dr. Ngoddy, the mission of Anwuli is to combine style and functionality in the design of eyewear. She believes that “people have unique facial landscapes and that consumers, no matter their race or facial features, deserve fashionable eyewear options that make a statement without speaking and fit well.”
Over the past few years that Anwuli has been in business, Dr. Ngoddy says that the mission is now more important than ever. This year, the focus has been a Royal Fit Campaign, educating her audience on how frames should fit. “We’ve found that many people are experiencing discomfort and compromised vision/eye fatigue from wearing frames that do not fit well,” she says. “The positive feedback from our retail partners and customers has affirmed that we’re making a difference in the industry when it comes to fit.”
Anwuli is dedicated to fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment in the optical industry. Anwuli frames were designed with wider eye sizes, nose pad structures and lower bridges. The brand also emphasizes that Black people are not monolithic, and this would be a dynamic process, with more facial features being accommodated as the brand continues to grow. Anwuli has recently released new colors and sizes on our Royal Collection, and Dr. Ngoddy says that she continues to look for opportunities to partner with opticals where Anwuli would be a good fit for their demographic and patient base.
For Dr. Ngoddy, another essential part of her brand is the idea that “dreamers shape the world, and we want to help them create a clear vision.” For this reason, her passion for helping adolescents and college students realize their dreams has become a pivotal part of the brand. A portion of all sales from Anwuli go towards mindset workshops and activities designed for young people to develop their mindset.
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