Amidst the competition among luxury global brands to attract Gulf consumers, some Western global brands have started focusing on production and service at the expense of creativity and sometimes quality. Many brands, especially those specializing in accessories, have begun to offer repetitive and similar designs season after season, to the point where we are no longer excited to see their new offerings. However, recently, it seems that today's generation is not as obsessed with global brands as we used to see. Today's youth in the region scrutinize the brand's concepts before purchasing, seeking something new, exclusive, and hard to find on well-known shopping sites. Most importantly, they support emerging local brands with conviction, ensuring these brands strive to create innovative local designs with a global vision while maintaining the designer's identity.

Today we meet with Saudi designers Faye Al-Saif and Dalal Al-Mousa, founders of the brand Cones & Rods, which specializes in designing sunglasses that adhere to the principle of sustainability in their production and distribution, based in Saudi Arabia. Faye and Dalal launched their first collection in 2019 and have since gained many clients who fell in love with their unique and unusual sunglass designs. The designers chose to manufacture the sunglasses in Japan due to the high quality of titanium material there, and they ensured the lenses are sun-protective.

The collection currently includes five models: Amin, Doria, Ghazi, Al-Fihri, and Naimah. Each pair in the collection is named after an inspiring Arab figure who made a remarkable achievement for the world. The people referenced in the collection are: Qasim Amin - an Egyptian writer, litterateur, and social reformer; Doria Shafik - a pioneer of the women's liberation movement in Egypt; Ghazi Al-Gosaibi - a Saudi poet, writer, and diplomat; Fatima Al-Fihri - nicknamed "Umm Al-Banin," who founded the world's first university, "Al-Qarawiyyin University"; and Mikhail Naimy - a Lebanese thinker and poet who led the intellectual and cultural renaissance.

Tell us about yourselves and how you launched your brand Cones & Rods? How did you enter the world of eyewear design?

We are Saudi women who discovered our love for designing glasses through our shared passion for classic eyewear. Our professional backgrounds are in design and fashion. (Dalal Al-Mousa is a doctor, while Faye Al-Saif is a psychologist). We have always loved design and began working on our mutual interest in eyewear. We shared a common vision to create a brand that values sustainability and inspires young people in the region to become more conscious of their choices and environment.

Tell us more about what makes you passionate about glasses?

Designing glasses is a multifaceted product that requires more than just design thinking. Many factors play a role in the design process, such as choosing the type of material, the quality of the lenses, and the technical structure, making the process more interesting for us. For example, we can draw a very unique design, but we must consider its functionality, the manufacturing process, and how it will look on the consumer.

What inspires you when designing glasses?

Our designs are inspired by historical Arab figures who achieved great things in their time. We draw inspiration in various ways; sometimes, it comes from the glasses they were known to wear. For example, the Ghazi design was heavily inspired by the style of glasses often worn by Ghazi Al-Gosaibi. At other times, it can be from their surroundings; the design of Al-Fihri glasses was inspired by the architectural design of her university.

Who do you see as suitable to wear your designs?

Individuals who seek positive change, whether from an environmental perspective or personal growth, are the ones we want to wear our designs and represent us. Our brand’s slogan is "An Eye for Change," and our brand concept revolves around perception and changing perspectives. Our customers are individuals who appreciate not only unique designs but also doing good to feel good.

If you could describe your brand in three words, what would they be?

Ambitious, dynamic, and reflective.

If you could collaborate with one brand, who would it be and why?

Kuboraum is one of our favorite eyewear brands, and we would love to have the opportunity to collaborate with them. They have a strong brand identity, and their designs are uniquely theirs, so you can never mistake any of their designs for another brand. They also work on limited editions and use distinctive materials, so we feel we could create impactful designs together.

What are your future plans?

We want to become a lifestyle brand capable of empowering young creatives in the region and helping them pursue their passions. We hope to grow our platforms to provide them with the proper support to start their creative careers. We are currently working on a small initiative to sponsor creative projects; they send us briefs about the projects they want to pursue, and we then choose the best brief for funding and support (which is still in the implementation phase).