Sunnies Studios

Last updated
Sunnies Studios
Company type Private
Industry Retail
Founded2013
FoundersEric Dee
Bea Soriano Dee
Martine Cajucom
Georgina Wilson
Jessica Wilson (Sunnies Face)
Headquarters
Number of locations
127
Area served
Philippines, Vietnam
Key people
Eric Dee (finance director)
Bea Soriano Dee (operations director)
Martine Cajucom (creative director)
Georgina Wilson (marketing director) [1]
Jessica Wilson (brand manager, Sunnies Face) [2]
ProductsPrescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, make-up
Website www.sunniesstudios.com

Sunnies Studios is a Philippine-based lifestyle brand that began as a product line of sunglasses. Founded in 2013, Sunnies Studios has since expanded to offering prescription eyeglasses, and has ventured into the makeup industry, with Sunnies Face, and the food industry, with Sunnies Cafe. They maintain 127 stores in the Philippines and Vietnam, [3] as well as an online store that extends its reach to Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. [4]

Contents

History

In 2011, entrepreneurial couple Eric Dee and Bea Soriano-Dee started Charlie, a retail brand that sold shoes, bags, and clothes. By 2013, model and host Georgina Wilson joined the team as a marketing director along with Wilson's cousin, fashion designer Martine Cajucom, as the creative director. Together, they rebranded the company and started selling sunglasses under the line, Sunnies by Charlie. [4] By February 2014, the directors decided to change the company name to Sunnies Studios and dropped Charlie due to the increasing popularity of the sunglasses line. They relocated and upgraded their headquarters, which is currently located in Libis , Quezon City, Philippines. [5]

In 2016, Sunnies Studios launched a prescription eyewear arm under the name Sunnies Specs Optical. [4] By June, the brand became the third-most followed retail brand on Instagram in the Philippines, having amassed around 240,000 followers. [5]

In March 2019, Sunnies Studios launched its first multi-brand concept store in SM City Cebu, containing Sunnies Studios, Sunnies Specs Optical, Sunnies Face, and Cup Point within one store. [6]

Sunglasses and prescription eye wear

The brand currently has over 200 styles with all Sunnies products being designed in-house. They are currently sold in over 120 retail locations around the Philippines. In September 2018, the team opened its second international location for Sunnies Studios in Vietnam [7] (Sunnies has silently been available in Guam for some time).

According to Euromonitor, in 2015, Sunnies Studios was ranked second in the Philippine market for sunglasses behind category leader Luxottica Group SpA. Sunnies Studios had an 8% value share in that sector. It was also ranked 10th in eye wear with a 1% value share in 2015.

In March 2017, Sunnies Studios launched the actress, Liza Soberano as the brand's first official endorser for Sunnies. Later on in 2018, Sunnies Studios revealed local celebrity, James Reid as their newest celebrity endorser.

Brand extensions

Cup Point

Cup Point was first launched as part of the Sunnies Studios concept store in Cebu. [8] Cup Point was created by Sunnies Specs Optical to support customers' wait time while their prescription eye wear is being processed. [9]

Sunnies Face

Sunnies Face is a cruelty-free beauty line, launched in August 2018. The brand was launched with Fluffmatte, a range of modern matte lipsticks.They have since expanded their line to include Airblush (soft-focus cheek tint), Lip Dip (whipped matte lip cream), Play Paint (vegan quick-dry nail polish), The Perfector (skin-perfecting duo), Lip Treat (sheer lip glow), Face Glass (liquid luminizer), Life brow Micromarker (liquid brow precision pencil), Eye Crayon (multi-purpose eyeshadow stick), and Dream Cream (gel cream moisturizer).

The brand has six online markets and is present in five countries with 17 physical stores.

Sunnies Cafe

In 2016, Sunnies Studios ventured into the food industry with the opening of Sunnies Cafe. [10] Sunnies Cafe opened its first store in Bonifacio Global City and its second store in SM Megamall. A third restaurant opened at Alabang Town Center by January 2017. The menu consists of comfort food with a modern twist and is constantly being updated with new dishes.

Sunnies World

In September 2019, Sunnies Studios opened their first flagship store, Sunnies World. The 260 m2 (2,800 sq ft) space is their largest store, located at SM Mega Fashion Hall. [11]

Controversies

Following the launch of Fluff mate in 2018, netizens noted similarities in aesthetic, branding, and marketing to that of cosmetics company Glossier, founded by American blogger Emily Weiss. [12] Netizens described Sunnies Face as a "copycat" of Glossier. [13] In particular, Sunnies' minimalist packaging style and their marketing strategy of releasing the supply of their products at limited intervals were alleged to have been replicated from Glossier. [14] Creative director Martine Cajucom responded to the issue in a Bustle interview, acknowledging the similarities and calling Glossier to be one of their inspirations for the brand in "changing the skincare conversation". [15]

In November 2020, a hashtag calling for a boycott of the Sunnies brand trended on Philippine social media after a Facebook post that circulated among Filipino netizens disclosed allegations of former Sunnies Studios employees not receiving their separation pay. At least two former employees of a branch in Cauayan , Isabela, that closed down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, alleged that they had not received any response from the company since the termination of their employment. [16] However, the publisher of the viral Facebook post later updated it to reveal that the management of Sunnies Studios had settled the issue with the employees. [17]

Related Research Articles

Luxottica Group S.p.A. is an Italian eyewear conglomerate based in Milan. As a vertically integrated company, Luxottica designs, manufactures, distributes, and retails its eyewear brands all through its own subsidiaries. The company, presently organized as a subsidiary of EssilorLuxottica which formed when the Italian conglomerate merged with the French optical firm Essilor, is the world's largest company in its industry, both prior to and after its merger with Essilor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray-Ban</span> Eyewear company

Ray-Ban is a brand of luxury sunglasses and eyeglasses created in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. The brand is best known for its Wayfarer and Aviator lines of sunglasses. In 1999, Bausch & Lomb sold the brand to Italian eyewear conglomerate Luxottica Group for a reported $640 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan Company</span> Indian multinational watch manufacturing company

Titan Company Limited is an Indian company that mainly manufactures luxury fashion accessories such as jewellery, watches and eyewear. Part of the Tata Group and started as a joint venture with the TIDCO, the company has its corporate headquarters in Electronic City, Bangalore, and registered office in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manila Broadcasting Company</span> Filipino media company

Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) is a radio and television network in the Philippines. MBC is currently owned by the FJE Group of Companies of Fred J. Elizalde, which also operates hotels and Pasay-based amusement park Star City. Its AM flagship network, DZRH is the oldest radio station in the country while its FM flagship network, Love Radio is the top station in FM radio ratings in Metro Manila and several key cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyewear</span> Items and accessories worn on or over the eyes

Eyewear is a term used to refer to all devices worn over both of a person's eyes, or occasionally a single eye, for one or more of a variety of purposes. Though historically used for vision improvement and correction, eyewear has also evolved into eye protection, for fashion and aesthetic purposes, and starting in the late 20th century, computers and virtual reality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maui Jim</span> Sunglasses company

Maui Jim is an American sunglasses manufacturer based in Peoria, Illinois.

Cohen's Fashion Optical is an optical retailer headquartered in New York City featuring fashion products such as eyeglasses, frames and sunglasses, lenses, contact lenses, and accessories. Professional eye exams are usually available with on-site Doctors of Optometry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safilo</span>

Safilo Group S.p.A. is an Italian company that designs, produces, and distributes prescription frames, sunglasses, sports eyewear, ski goggles and helmets, and cycling helmets under its own five house brands and 32 licensed brands, including Smith Optics which manufactures military grade eyewear.

Oliver Peoples is an American luxury eyewear brand established in 1986, and owned by Luxottica. The brand is sold in Oliver Peoples boutiques, online, and in fashion boutiques and department stores throughout the world. Oliver Peoples eyewear is designed in Los Angeles, Italy, and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rustan's</span> Philippine department store chain

Rustan's is a Philippine chain of upmarket department stores owned by the Rustan Group of Companies (RGOC). Rustan's Department Store is the flagship brand of the Rustan Group of Companies and has five major branches, three boutiques and an online shopping store rustans.com. Rustan's Department Store is considered the Philippines most prestigious retailer, carrying many of the world's most famous upscale or luxury brands names, among them, Cartier, Mikimoto, Tiffany, Ermenegildo Zegna, Nina Ricci, Alfred Dunhill, Sonia Rykiel, and Estee Lauder. Rustan's was the first in the Philippine retailer to introduce a customer loyalty program, "Frequent Shoppers Plus" and a Wedding Registry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgina Wilson</span> Filipina-British endorser, VJ, magazine and commercial model

Georgina Ashley Diaz Wilson-Burnand is a Filipino-British model, actress, host and VJ. In 2015, Wilson hosted the third season of the reality show Asia's Next Top Model.

Primer Group of Companies is a Philippine company engaged in the retail sale and distribution of consumer brands and products. The company carries international brands mostly lifestyle products. The Primer Group also operates its own lifestyle boutique which includes Res/Toe/Run, The Travel Club, Ladybag, Flight001, Bratpack, GRND, General and R.O.X .In addition to the retail and distribution, The Primer Group recently opened its first retail and merchandising academy - APEX.

Cutler and Gross is a British luxury eyewear brand, founded by Graham Cutler and Tony Gross in 1969. It is based in the Knightsbridge area of London.

Warby Parker Inc. is an American retailer of prescription glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses, based in New York City. Founded in 2010, it was initially an online only retailer. It now sells primarily through more than 200 physical retail store locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Eyebuydirect, Inc. is an online retailer of prescription glasses, based in Austin, Texas. The company also sells prescription and non-prescription sunglasses, sport sunglasses, and computer glasses designed to reduce glare. Eyebuydirect was founded in 2005 by Roy Hessel, who was succeeded by Sunny Jiang, chief executive officer since 2017. The company has operations in the United States and China, and sells its products worldwide.

FramesDirect.com is an international online eyewear retailer. The company sells eyewear products such as eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses through its website. FramesDirect.com sells designer and brand name eyewear products with over 60,000 models displayed on its website. Founded in 1996, FramesDirect.com was one of the earliest online optical retail stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shwood Eyewear</span> Eyewear company

Shwood Eyewear is an American brand of sunglasses and eyeglasses, it was founded in 2009, and is based in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gentle Monster</span> South Korean eyewear brand

Gentle Monster is a South Korean sunglasses and optical glasses brand founded by Hankook Kim in Seoul in 2011.

EssilorLuxottica SA is an Italian-French vertically integrated multinational corporation based in Paris and founded on 1 October 2018 from the merger of the Italian Luxottica with the French Essilor. The eyewear-focused group designs, produces and markets ophthalmic lenses, optical equipment, prescription glasses and sunglasses.

Bailey Nelson is an Australian multinational optical retail chain, which operates mainly in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK. Bailey Nelson is, as of 2021, a privately held company.

References

  1. Gloria, Gaby (July 7, 2016). "It's always sunny at the Sunnies HQ". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  2. Alamares, Katherine (May 1, 2019). "#GirlBoss: Jessica Wilson Tells How Sunnies Face Navigates Digital Space". Lifestyle Asia. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  3. Catalan, Bernadette Andrea (July 13, 2016). "Revolutionizing prescription eyewear". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Campos, Othel (July 9, 2016). "4 young entrepreneurs redefine eyewear industry". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  5. 1 2 Ang, Raymond (June 1, 2016). "How Sunnies Studios became a retail powerhouse". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  6. Lato-Ruffolo, Cris Evert (March 2019). "SUNNIES CEBU: Four brands, one lifestyle destination". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  7. "Sunnies Studios plans expansion into Vietnam". Philippine Retailers Association. 2018-09-15.
  8. "Sunnies' new store in Cebu is a dream space that houses all your fave concepts". Young Star. 2019-03-07.
  9. "LOOK: Sunnies' in-store café is your next coffice". NOLISOLI. 2019-03-06.
  10. "The Newly Opened Sunnies Café Is Every Millennial's Instagram Heaven". Preview.ph.
  11. "Welcome To Sunnies World, The Sunnies Brand's Biggest Store Ever!". Metro.Style.
  12. Rico, Audrey Rawnie (January 11, 2019). "Netizens are boycotting Sunnies Face for their problematic owners". Snippet Media. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  13. Lim, Therese Marie (September 22, 2020). "What's The Hype Around Filipino Beauty Brand Sunnies Face?". Clozette. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  14. Arambulo, Amanda (November 9, 2018). "Is Minimalism A Safe Escape For Copycats In The Beauty Industry?". Clozette. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  15. Arias, Jacqueline (November 8, 2018). "Sunnies Face addressed the "Glossier copycat" issue in Bustle interview". Preen. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  16. "Netizens call for boycott of Sunnies Studios over unpaid wages". Bilyonaryo. November 15, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  17. "#BoycottSunnies: Georgina Wilson's eyewear company accused of failing to pay ex-employees". Coconuts Manila. November 16, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.