From Costume Design to Conscious Luxury How Maureen Ryza is Reinventing Vintage Eyewear

Send us Fan MailSummary In this episode, Maureen Ryza, founder of AZYR Specs, discusses her sustainable vintage eyewear brand that repurposes pre-loved and deadstock frames into luxury pieces. Maureen shares her journey from costume design to starting AZYR Specs, inspired by the wastefulness she observed in fashion and her discovery of vintage eyewear's storytelling potential while working on a 1975-set film.TakeawaysMaureen Ryza started AZYR Specs after seeing waste in costume design and discovering the potential of vintage eyewear.She sources rare frames globally from collectors and deadstock warehouses.Her standout pieces include designs by Luigi Colani and Sophia Loren, and she’s collaborated with Dremel on creative projects.The brand appeals to people who see eyewear as a bold, personal statement.Pop-ups drive most of her sales and help her learn what resonates with customers.She educates buyers on face shape, color theory, and the history behind each piece.Maureen now integrates prescriptions and is building a more seamless e-commerce experience.She’s working to reframe vintage as luxury and wants to grow globally, starting with a NYC showroom.Success this year means brand partnerships, better tech, and global sourcing connections.Sound Bites"I really do consider [eyewear] jewelry for your face.""I saw firsthand how wasteful the fashion industry can be... and it never sat right with me.""These aren’t just old glasses - they’re archival design, they’re history, they’re art."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sustainable Eyewear03:07 The Journey from Costume Design to Eyewear05:54 Sourcing and Selecting Vintage Frames09:01 Unique Finds and Collaborations12:08 Understanding the Ideal Client14:57 Challenges in Scaling a Sustainable Business17:55 Educating Customers on Eyewear20:52 Prescription Lenses and E-commerce Innovations22:12 Expanding the Brand and Partnerships25:50 Social Media's Role in Growth27:53 Future Trends in Sustainable LuxuryVideo: https://youtu.be/_-RkTNRktvY