A Brand with Soul: The Sister-Created Sunglasses Line from Huntington Beach
Breaking into the luxury sunglasses niche isn’t easy. Val Sanders and Michelle Haner, twin sisters, born and raised here in Huntington Beach, had a vision shimmering in their minds when they launched their ‘Saint Owen’ brand. Saint Owen is far from being 'just another' sunglasses brand, Saint Owen embodies a revolt against the fast-fashion craze. Their offerings are not merely sunglasses but a testament to superior craftsmanship, a celebration of authenticity, and a tribute to the timeless appeal of genuine style.
Saint Owen, named in honor of the sisters' remarkable friend Jimmy Owen Sullivan, embodies the spirit of an extraordinary individual who was larger than life. Known for his flamboyant and unorthodox choice of eyewear, often opting for women's sunglasses, Jimmy had an innate ability to attract people with his vibrant aura. He possessed a magical talent for making everyone around him feel cherished. In creating Saint Owen, Val and Michelle aim to extend that same feeling of uniqueness and joy to others. Their designs are not just about eyewear; they're a celebration of individuality, designed to reflect your personality and boost your confidence.
Saint Owen has been featured in major publications, including Rolling Stone, Vogue, US Weekly, and POPSUGAR. The brand describes itself as being ‘elevated by individuality’, creating handcrafted sunglasses with exhilarating detail and thoughtfulness. These luxury sunglasses are designed to be your signature accessory. Saint Owen has won over a legion of celebrity fans, including Lady Gaga, Machine Gun Kelly, and Dwayne Wade.
Saint Owen is a welcome change from the mass production of other sunglasses brands, including those in the luxury niche. It’s built its brand identity around embracing individuality and prioritizing small-batch production with limited-edition collections and collaborations.
As an independent fashion brand, Saint Owen’s DNA reflects the life experiences of its owners. Its rock and roll vibe originates from Val's experience as a road manager for a heavy metal band, you may know. This was before she and Michelle tied the knot with their childhood sweethearts, who are members of the HB grown band- Avenged Sevenfold.
Saint Owen is a brand with soul, working with high quality materials in Italy and moving away from a seasonal focus creating slow fashion investment-worthy sunglasses. Val and Michelle meticulously craft and personally inspect every pair, ensuring each one boasts unique details that distinguish Saint Owen as a standout luxury accessory brand.
The Luxury Behind Saint Owen’s Iconic Sunglasses
Saint Owen is luxury without the heritage brand price tag but with unbeatable quality. Its sunglasses are handcrafted in small-scale factories in Italy with Val and Michelle working with a dedicated team of skilled artisans.
There are special details in every pair of Saint Owen sunglasses, from optical grade hinges to ceramic nose pads for extra comfort. All frames are made using Italian acetate and hand-polished for an optimal finish with an anti-reflective coating.
Saint Owen is a luxury slow-fashion brand focusing on ethical and eco-friendly manufacturing that respects Mother Earth and our communities. The brand strives to combat what it calls the ‘throw-away fashion movement’ by creating quality pieces designed to last a lifetime.
Collaborations and Expanding Beyond Sunglasses
Saint Owen is no longer strictly a sunglasses brand, expanding into jewelry and apparel as it has grown in popularity. It’s hard to scroll through Instagram without seeing a celebrity or influencer rocking Saint Owen sunglasses or accessories. Tessa Brooks, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Alissa Violet, Rochelle Jordan, and Gabrielle Epstein have all worn Saint Owen.
It’s begun collaborating with other brands, including on a ‘Navigator’ frame with Synyster Gates Store as part of a limited edition partnership in 2020. The brand’s newest release is the ‘Phoenix’ frame, inspired by the essence of rebirth and reincarnation. It’s a contemporary update of the classic square-shaped sunglasses everyone needs in their closet.
You can shop the latest arrivals on the Saint Owen website and follow the brand on social media.