XO QUAY

XO QUAY
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GO BEHIND THE SCENES: DESIGNER FRAMES

Extra cool. Extra fine. Extra luxe. It’s all about the details—YOU’RE IN LUXE.

Introducing the luxe collection of sunnies made from extra-fine materials + dressed up in extra-good features. Premium frames, luxe details, polarized lenses for just £65.

 

Go behind our new collection with product designers Colleen + Adesha.

The design process starts by identifying key runway looks. Then, our in-house designers break down those trends, make mood boards, and sketch to ensure each frame is thoughtfully created with our squad (and quality) in mind. 

Our Product Team went straight up premium developing each style’s construction + components when designing the Luxe Collection. They incorporated the most high-end acetates, lenses, and hardware for that head-turning look + feel.
 

SHOP THE LUXE COLLECTION

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featured q/a

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at QUAY. Get to know our squad with mini Q/As that highlight some of our Latinx employees—COMMUNITY IS QUAY.

 



MARIBEL 

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Mexican and Honduran.

What department do you work in?

Retail - Shops

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about your culture?

I think one of the biggest...is that all we eat is tacos and burritos. Mexican cuisine has so many different amazing foods! 😍

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
One thing I would like to share would be Mexican culture is the fusion of European, African, and Indigenous culture...This mixing, known as mestizaje, produced a unique cultural identity that makes up the basis for modern-day Mexico, and can be seen in every aspect of Mexican life, including food, clothing, art, music, and even language.

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
One thing I could not live without would be music. I love music, it helps me get through the day and gets me energized and motivated with whatever I am doing. 

 


MARIA 

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Nicaraguan.

What department do you work in? 
Finance

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about your culture?
That we are lazy people, which is completely wrong. I have traveled to Nicaragua more than 20 times and everyone I’ve met there is extremely hard working and friendly.

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
Every year, around Christmas, families come together to celebrate La Purisima. It is both a religious and cultural event to celebrate the Virgin Mary. Everyone sings and passes party favors, which always include typical Nicaraguan food and drinks. It’s a remembrance of our culture and an opportunity for us to enjoy our nation’s treats. 

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
Family.

 


BRENDA 

What is your Hispanic heritage?
I am Mexican and Spanish.

What department do you work in? 
Retail - Shops

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about your culture?
Biggest misconception of Mexican women is that we’re limited to be housewives/stay-at-home moms, and marry “macho men.” That’s quite false. My mother is a psychologist, and I was taught to be very independent. She really enforced to break that glass ceiling and use my bilingualism to advance in my career.

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
Not all Mexicans eat spicy foods. Although, the use of chili is quite common, not all of us like the spicy-ness.

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
I cannot live without coffee! Especially “cafe con leche,” which is delicious! And Salsa dancing! 
 


NYDIA 

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Puerto Rican and Mexican.

What department do you work in? 
Inventory Control

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about your culture?
Not all Latinx are Catholic, I was raised Pentecostal.

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizens but aren’t allowed to vote for president.

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
My Grandma Nydia’s Puerto Rican cooking (I was named after my grandma).
 


ROB

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Puerto Rican.

What department do you work in? 
IT

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about your culture?
That we’re all “Spanish.”  Puerto Rico is actually part of Latin America and the indigenous people are actually called Taíno and are thought to have come from the Amazon Basin. If you look at the DNA of anyone from Puerto, it’s a mix of many cultures including Spain and Africa that made Puerto Rico as amazing as it is.

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
I have DNA from Europe, Africa, Asia and Native Americans! It’s quite amazing to look at all the sources of what makes me, me.

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
Photos of my family! I thought at first about a piece of technology like my phone, but photos and memories are irreplicable.

 


MIGUEL

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Mexican.

What department do you work in? 
Retail Operations

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have on your culture?
That people in Mexico all wear sombreros.

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
People in Tepatitlan have a traditional festival every year in April called Tepabril, in honor of the Lord of Mercy, and the festivities go on for 2 to 3 weeks. A sanctuary was created for the Lord of Mercy in Tepatitlan, Jalisco, and his story is displayed on the walls of the sanctuary describing how he was founded and his significance for the town. 

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
Tamales!


RAQUEL

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Mexican.

What department do you work in? 
Global Brand

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have on your culture?
That Mexico is a very dangerous place to visit.

Help drop some knowledge: what is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
In Mexico, we greet everyone with a kiss on the cheek, even people you just met. 😘

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
Limes!


BRIANNA

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Mexican.

What department do you work in? 
Global Brand

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have on your culture?
That any successful business or family is associated with the cartel. It's sad, but it was a thing my family/friends heard growing up.

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
Mexico has 68 official languages that are officially recognized, but there are even more spoken by smaller communities around the country.

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
Family, they are a crazy bunch, but man, do I love them!

 


TESS

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Honduran and Nicaraguan.

What department do you work in? 
Global Brand

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have on your culture?
For me, it's upsetting when others aren't understanding or get frustrated to non-English speaking individuals. Growing up my Mom barely knew any English, so she relied on my brother, dad, and myself  to translate. It's also upsetting when non-Spanish speaking people make fun of any latin culture because they find it “weird.” It truly does take a toll on a child growing up because you end up being embarrassed about who you are, when it should never be like that.

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
We don't all have the same food! I grew with native food from Honduras and Nicaragua. For example, although we have tamales, they aren't the same as a mexican tamale everyone learns and eats.

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
My film cameras. They're my form of therapy, and I enjoy seeing life through a viewfinder. 



CESAR

What is your Hispanic heritage? 
I am Colombian, Puerto Rican, and Mexican.

What department do you work in? 
Retail-Shops

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about your culture?
It’s silly, but I always hear, “Oh, you’re from Colombia...What do you guys eat?” 
Puerto Rico and Colombia are both so rich in culture and have amazing cuisine that doesn’t revolve around beans and tacos. If you’re ever in Puerto Rico or at a decent PR restaurant, try Mofongo (staple), Tostones, and always order the Arroz Con Gandules. 🤤

Help drop some knowledge: What is one thing you would like to share about your heritage? 
Being Puerto Rican means that I am not only Puerto Rican, but I am also a beautiful mix of indigenous Taínos, African, and Spanish ancestry.

One for fun: What is one thing you could not live without? 
I can never live without MUSIC. Puerto Rico is the birthplace of SALSA. 💃

 

The belief that COMMUNITY IS QUAY and that all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love is central to everything that we do at Quay. We are nothing without the unique, diverse group of individuals internally + externally who have allowed us success over the years.


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COMMUNITY IS QUAY, 2020

The belief that COMMUNITY IS QUAY and that all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love is central to everything we do at Quay. We are nothing without the unique, diverse group of individuals internally + externally who have allowed us success over the years.

We believe in our inherent duty to spread the Quay vision far + wide through philanthropic + cause programs, amplifying + nurturing the self-expression, confidence, and wellbeing of our global community.

See all the ways YOU helped us give back in 2020:

IN THE FIGHT TO END HUNGER

With more people than ever feeling the extraordinary strain of food insecurity, this year we partnered with Feeding America®, the largest domestic hunger-relief organisation in the US + Foodbank Victoria, the largest hunger-relief charity in Australia—donating over $145,000 USD. $1 USD helps to provide at least ten meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks

IN THE FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

  • HELPING BREAK THE GLASS CEILING
    We believe education is Quay, which is why we donated over $6,000 USD to Girls Out Loud, helping to fund mentorships for five girls. This UK-based orginisation works to educate, inform, and inspire girls to step up, believe in themselves, and walk tall with confidence, self-respect, and purpose.
  • HONORING AUSTRALIA'S ABORIGINAL + TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES
    To celebrate Australia's NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week, we donated almost $10,000 USD to Common Ground—an aboriginal-led organisation that works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia, capturing + sharing their stories. Plus, over $25,000 USD this year to Change the RecordThe Healing Foundation, and The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation.
  • We still are, and will always be, in action in the fight for racial justice. This year—on 26 January 2021—we’re using our voices + committing our dollars with a $15,000 AUD donation to The Healing Foundation—an Australia-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by the impact of colonisation and actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
  • ACKNOWLEDGING THAT REPRESENTATION MATTERS
    Voter education matters. Voter access matters. Representation matters.To coincide with the second QUAY X LIZZO collection launch, we teamed up with The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) + The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to lift barriers to voting in the US. Committing $100,000 USD to help fund the LDF’s Prepared to Vote initiative to protect voting rights and support Black political engagement + The Lawyers' Committee's Election Protection program anchored by the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline—the nation's premier voter protection program working year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count.
  • PROMOTING LBGTQ MENTAL HEALTH
    To coincide with the launch of our Pride Collection, Quay donated over $63,000 USD to The Trevor Project, the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organisation for LGBTQ young people + Minus18, which aims to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth in Australia through life-affirming events, education, and empowerment.
  • CREATING VISIBILITY INTO THE BLACK EXPERIENCE + ENDING RACIAL INJUSTICE
    We stand in solidarity with the fight against the systematic oppression of the black community. This year we donated $37,500 USD divided among organisations that support the fight for racial justice in America: The Equal Justice InitiativeThe Loveland FoundationThe NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. We believe in the power of representation and are committed to expanding diversity in everything that we do. We don’t know the answer to everything, but we are committed to continuing to learn + have honest discussions with our community about how we can amplify black excellence.

IN COVID RELIEF EFFORTS

We shifted a portion of our manufacturing efforts in April 2020 to produce certified medical-grade protective goggles + safety glasses for frontline healthcare workers supporting communities impacted by COVID-19. With the help of our squad, we donated 30,000 certified, medical-grade PPE + blue light glasses for healthcare + frontline workers with a Buy One, Get One, Give One campaign that donated one pair of eyewear for each purchase, totalling about $123,000 USD.

IN AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS

Our hearts ached as we watched devastating bushfires tear across communities in Australia. In January of 2020, we committed to donating 100% of the proceeds from our Australian website and, with your support, raised over $39,000 USD for WIRES Wildlife Rescue + Vinnies.


 

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BUY ONE. GET ONE. GIVE ONE.
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BUY ONE. GET ONE. GIVE ONE.

First + foremost—THANK YOU. Over the past few weeks, we have shifted a portion of our manufacturing efforts to producing certified medical-grade protective goggles + safety glasses for front line healthcare workers. PPE is in short supply globally, and eyewear is what we know best—so this felt like the clear way for us to contribute to the global cause during these unprecedented times.

Community is always Quay for us—so it was important to include + empower you. To distribute as many pairs as possible, we offered a BUY ONE, GET ONE, GIVE ONE program on all of our global Quay sites from April 10th-13th, with each purchase representing an additional eyewear donation. As a result, we are proud to announce a donation of over 30,000 pairs of eyewear to be distributed to front line healthcare workers across the globe, from the US to Australia to Europe. We’re overwhelmed and filled with gratitude by your emphatic support of our effort, and are so grateful for the opportunity to distribute thousands of pairs of goggles + glasses to institutions like:

 

Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY

NYU Langone Hospital, New York, NY

UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA

Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA

Methodist Hospital, Omaha, NE

Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA

Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, CO,

Mercy Medical Center, Merced, CA

Royal Melbourne Hospital ED, Victoria, Australia

Frankston Hospital, Victoria, Australia

Cabrini Hospital, Victoria, Australia

Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia

Monash Medical Centre, Victoria, Australia

Brisbane Royal Hospital, Queensland, Australia

+ more 

 

 Bec (ICU doc) Jess and Vlad (ICU nurses) Cally (ICU doc)

Jess(ICU nurse) and Cally (ICU doctor)

Louise, Nurse

Once again, louder for the people in the back—thank you. Together, we are making a difference.

 

Xx, 

Quay

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featured q/a

Boss Talk with Quay CEO Jodi Bricker

 

Jodi + her daughters

Q/A has been a mark of the Quay Australia brand for years. And it’s more than just our initials—it’s what we stand for. So, we’re checking in with some of the coolest people we know to walk a mile in their shades + get a fresh perspective on some of the topics we think are worth talking about.

This time around, we’re chatting with someone who inspires us daily. Meet Jodi Bricker, CEO of Quay Australia. We’re lucky enough to soak up inspiration from her on the reg, and we want to send a little bit of that magic your way.

 

Who are you?

First and foremost—I am a mom of two teenaged daughters, and I live in the Bay Area. I’m originally from the Midwest, but I’ve been in California since college, and I’m a hybrid of both places. I grew up as a competitive athlete, so I love pushing myself and reaching for personal bests. And I am the CEO of Quay, which is quite possibly the most fun I’ve ever had at work, and I’m so grateful to be a part of the brand.

 

We love a boss, let’s talk more about that. What’s the most important thing that you do at work?

I set the vision, mission, and overall direction of Quay. I try to inspire our teams to create and deliver in a way that solves problems for our customers and makes them happy!  My background is in product, branding, retail, and digital—but I spend most of my time with people. Listening to our customers in our stores and on social media, coaching the teams at Quay, and connecting the dots along the way. I work to create and maintain a culture and working environment at Quay that inspires everyone to become their best self and do their best work.

 

Quay team members

 

And where do you seek inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere. Not just in eyewear, fashion, or retail—I see the world from a consumer perspective everywhere I look, and I always have my antennae up. I try as much as possible to be in different cities and environments observing people, patterns, and trends. LA and Miami are amazing for sunnies attitude and lifestyle inspiration. Merci in Paris is one of my favorite retail spots because it’s a hybrid store—part café, part vintage art installations, fashion, and home décor.

 I’m currently obsessed with Glossier and Outdoor Voices—of-the-moment brands founded by women. I am also 100% drawn to the outdoors—my favorite places in the Bay Area are Stinson beach, Mt. Tam in Marin, Hayes Valley and the Mission neighborhoods in San Francisco, and local restaurants and shops in Berkeley and Oakland.

 

Stinson Beach—one of Jodi’s favorite places to soak up inspiration

 

What exactly do you like to read?

Anything involving a story and storytelling. Books, articles, news, and Twitter everyday to get mentally sparked and stay on top of what’s going on.  I’m currently reading the book Sapiens…A Brief History of Humankind. I love documentaries and podcasts and am currently listening to “How I built this” on my commutes.  

In general, I’m someone who’s really curious and interested in what people think, what people do, and how they behave. All of this informs how we think about our products at Quay and the role our brand can play in people’s lives.

 

Self-expression is such an important part of Quay’s brand identity. What does that mean to you?

Self-expression is having a certain sense of who you are at your core, and owning that, and being willing to be vulnerable with sharing that with the world. I also don’t believe there is a finish line in life. Humans are constantly evolving, so for me, self-expression and exploration are tools for accessing personal growth.

 

Self-expression can feel easier said than done sometimes. What piece of advice would you give to someone trying to manage beauty standards and expectations online while owning their self-expression?

l feel grateful that I’d already developed my sense of self and had my value system in place before social media blew up. While I think it can be an incredible source of inspiration, it can also be mean-spirited and cause anxiety. My advice would be to make sure that you aren’t letting social media be a part of forming your sense of self. Go form that on your own, use social media as an amplifier.

 

How do you continue to express yourself personally?

The biggest thing is pushing myself out of my comfort zone—trying new things and going to new places. It can be as small as wearing a bold pair of red glasses to turn up my outfit or much bigger—like trying fly fishing for the first time (I loved it) or taking a leap into a new job. I believe that every time we try something new and push the edge a little bit, we realize we have more depth, range, and ability than we give ourselves credit.

 

Expressing her selflie with different sunnies style

 

Do you consider yourself a role model, and how do you handle that responsibility?

I don’t wake up every day thinking, “I’m going to be a role model today,” but I’m conscious of the fact that many people in my life count on me to do the right thing and want to be inspired. I hold myself to high standards—particularly as it relates to my roles as a mom and a female leader.

It’s very important to me that I walk the talk for my daughters, so through that filter I ask myself—am I showing up as a kind person? As someone who is learning, evolving, taking risks, and being open minded and vulnerable?  It’s a journey, and I am a constant work in progress.

 

We agree—you are a role model and a total boss. How do you balance your own self-care, being a mother, AND having such a big career?  

I try to think about it more as a concept of flow vs balance. I find it’s easier when I integrate my work and life instead of strictly thinking in terms of balance, which feels like a relentless scorecard. Life is incredibly dynamic and always evolving. Some weeks, work requires more of my time, and other weeks, my family needs me, or I need to put myself first. I start with being clear on what’s important: my health and wellbeing, my kids, partner and family, friends, work, learning and growing, contributing to the world.  With this in mind, I try to make work a holistic part of my entire life.

 

Jodi + her two daughters at high school graduation

We’ve talked a lot about education at Quay this year. What does it mean to you that Quay is giving back to our community with our Education is Quay scholarship program?

Having two teenagers and watching the process of getting into college compared to my experience growing up—it’s clear that education has become too exclusive and overwhelming, and that many people simply can’t get access to it. The ability to gain an education is an important part of our society, so I love that Quay can use our platform to help open that door up for a few more people while we figure this out as a larger society.

 

Can’t get enough? Check Jodi out on Instagram @jodi.bricker for inspiration, behind-the-scenes at Quay, and more.

 

Xo,

Quay

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