Velvet Eyewear® Expands Velvet Trends® Into UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hats and Lifestyle AccessoriesUPF 50+ Sun Protection Hats and Lifestyle Accessories
Velvet EyewearMay 21, 2026
Velvet Eyewear® today announced the continued expansion of its Velvet Trends® lifestyle division with the launch of UPF 50+ sun protection hats and accessories designed specifically for women seeking both fashion and UV protection.
The new collection introduces a curated assortment of travel-friendly women’s sun hats and bucket hats that complement Velvet Eyewear’s signature women-focused approach to fit, proportion, and style. The expansion builds on Velvet Trends®’ ongoing focus on seasonal fashion capsules while extending the brand further into the growing category of wearable sun protection.
“Our customers already look to Velvet for sunglasses that balance style, comfort, and protection,” said Cindy Hussey, Founder and Creative Director of Velvet Eyewear®. “Expanding Velvet Trends® into UPF 50+ hats and lifestyle accessories felt like a natural next step. Women want sun protection products they actually feel excited to wear every day.”
The new hat collection includes lightweight bucket hats and wide-brim styles designed for travel, resort wear, everyday outdoor use, and seasonal styling. Select styles feature premium performance materials, packable construction, waterproof finishes, and certified UPF 50+ sun protection.
The expansion reflects a broader shift within fashion and wellness as consumers increasingly seek stylish ways to help protect the delicate skin surrounding the face and eyes from long-term UV exposure.
Program Highlights
UPF 50+ women’s sun hats and accessories
Fashion-driven seasonal capsules under Velvet Trends®
Coordinated styling with Velvet Eyewear sunglass collections
Travel-friendly and packable designs
Cross-category merchandising opportunities for retail and media partners
Founded in 1999 by Cindy Hussey, Velvet Eyewear® is a women’s eyewear and accessories brand recognized for its “shop by face shape” approach to fit and styling. The collection includes sunglasses, prescription eyewear, blue light glasses, snow goggles, accessories, and the brand’s signature Sunglass Style Boxes curated by face shape and seasonal color palette.
Through Velvet Trends®, the brand continues expanding into lifestyle categories that combine fashion, comfort, and UV-conscious design for women.
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About Velvet Eyewear
Velvet Eyewear® is a women’s luxury eyewear and accessory brand founded in 1999 by optician and designer Cindy Hussey. We offer sunglasses, prescription glasses, blue light glasses, snow goggles, and our signature Sunglass Style Boxes—each designed to fit and flatter the female face.
Rooted in iconic American fashion and culture, Velvet blends timeless style, full UV protection, and modern comfort. Each style is hand-finished using high-quality materials, crafted in the finest factories, and proudly designed in the USA for women.
Designed for Women—Since Day One
Velvet was created to be a true women’s brand—not a unisex frame painted pink. Every detail is thoughtfully designed for the female face. Cindy, our founder, brings optics expertise since 1987 and a creative heritage steeped in European artistry. Her trained eye shapes every aspect of our products—from frame shape and fit to color palettes and comfort.
We fulfill all orders in-house to reduce waste and avoid unnecessary packaging. Our shipping process is streamlined to lower emissions, and we use recyclable, responsibly sourced materials whenever possible.
We also offer a Recycle Program. Customers can send back any Velvet product to be recycled responsibly and receive rewards for participating.
Giving Back
We are passionate about supporting children, the arts, and veterans. Our brand proudly contributes to organizations like Dress for Success, Wine, Women & Shoes, local Veterans Hospitals, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Materials for the Arts. Giving back is woven into the heart of who we are.
Our brand philosophy is built on a simple, powerful idea: art shapes how we see the world. We believe this creative vision should be accessible to everyone. To put this mission into action, we established the Velvet Foundation for the Arts, our official non-profit organization dedicated to supporting arts education. Through the foundation, we are proud to help nurture the next generation of artists and designers. You can learn more about our work and the foundation's heritage at VLAF.org
Growth & Evolution
In 2003, Velvet was acquired by K2 Sports, where Cindy continued designing female-specific eyewear and accessories.
By 2010, Velvet had relocated to New York City and was re-acquired by Cindy. During this time, she also led eyewear design for brands like Trina Turk, Milly, Judith Leiber, and Beverly Hills Polo Club, while rebuilding Velvet with a renewed focus on women’s design.
In 2018, Velvet moved to Boca Raton, Florida. The fresh coastal energy inspired new collections and helped grow our community of Velvet women from coast to coast.
May 21, 2026
