About us

By Charley was born from an unexpected moment of rebellion.

In a hidden vintage shop tucked away in Melbourne, our founder Charley stumbled upon a forgotten pair of cat-eye sunglasses from the 1970s. The frame was chipped, the lenses scratched — but inside the temple, a faint engraving caught her eye:“See the Unseen.”

That mysterious phrase struck like lightning. Why should sunglasses only block the sun, when they could also express attitude?

Charley decided not to restore the old sunglasses, but to reinvent them. She preserved the iconic cat-eye shape but upgraded the lenses with modern TAC polarised technology — breathing new life into a retro silhouette. This spirit of deconstruction and rebirth became the core of By Charley: We break the past to build the future.

 

Our Quality Manifesto: Where Vintage Aesthetics Meet Future Tech

1. Lenses – A Visual Revolution, Not Just Sun Protection

  • UV400 Protection: Blocks 100% of harmful UV rays to keep your eyes safe and clear.

  • TAC Polarised Lenses: Reduces glare, enhances colour contrast — perfect for driving, travel, and urban adventures.

  • Advanced Coating: Scratch-resistant, oil-repellent, and fingerprint-proof for long-lasting clarity.

2. Frames – Material Is Attitude

  • Acetate (Cellulose): High-gloss, lightweight, and resistant to deformation — a true homage to the '70s.

  • Metal (Titanium/Stainless Steel): Minimalist and futuristic, ideal for unisex designs.

  • Eco-Friendly PC (Polycarbonate): Ultra-durable and perfect for active lifestyles.

3. The Case – Sustainable Luxury

  • Vegan Leather: Cruelty-free, water-resistant, embossed with our signature cat-eye outline.

  • Built-in Microfiber Cloth: Printed with a UV intensity chart — both functional and fun.

 

Our Spirit: Designed for the Soft Rebels

By Charley is made for those who walk the line between past and future — the gentle rule-breakers.

They wear vintage but embrace cutting-edge tech.
They romanticise the past, but never dwell in nostalgia.
Their sunglasses block UV by day and boring stares by night.

"We repair the past to see the future clearly."