Velvet Eyewear® Returns to Cannes as Official Sponsor of the 2026 French Riviera Film Festival for Third Consecutive YearWomen’s eyewear and accessories brand continues its support of film, fashion, and independent storytelling during Cannes 2026
Velvet EyewearMay 09, 2026
CANNES, FRANCE — Velvet Eyewear®, the women’s eyewear and accessories brand recognized for its “shop by face shape” approach, announces its return as an official sponsor of the 2026 French Riviera Film Festival (FRFF) for the third consecutive year. The festival will take place May 15–16, 2026 in Cannes, France, during the internationally celebrated Cannes film season.
The continued partnership reflects Velvet Eyewear®’s longstanding support of the arts and its commitment to independent storytelling, fashion, film, and creative expression.
As part of this year’s sponsorship, Velvet Eyewear® is featured on the back cover of the official FRFF festival program. The campaign image, photographed by Tanya Montesano, features international model and actress Eugenia Kuzmina wearing Velvet Eyewear®’s signature Candice style before the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The dramatic oversized silhouette reflects the timeless glamour and cinematic elegance associated with the French Riviera.
In addition to its visual presence throughout the festival, Velvet Eyewear® will participate in the exclusive FRFF gifting suite, where select styles will be presented to attending filmmakers, actors, industry executives, media personalities, and digital creators.
“Film, fashion, and storytelling have always shared a natural connection,” said Cindy Hussey, Founder and CEO of Velvet Eyewear®. “Supporting the French Riviera Film Festival allows us to celebrate creativity on an international stage while continuing our commitment to women-centered design and artistic expression.”
Velvet Eyewear® organizes its collections around face shape and seasonal color palettes, offering a thoughtful approach to fit, balance, proportion, and color harmony. All Velvet Eyewear® sunglasses provide 100% UV protection.
French Riviera Film Festival celebrates short-form content created for film, television, web, and digital platforms. The annual event includes screenings, filmmaker recognition, industry networking opportunities, and a closing gala during one of the world’s most visible entertainment and fashion gatherings.
For more information about Velvet Eyewear® visit Velvet Eyewear.
Velvet Eyewear® is a women’s luxury eyewear and accessory brand founded in 1999 by optician and designer Cindy Hussey. The brand offers sunglasses, prescription glasses, blue light glasses, snow goggles, and its 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.
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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 09, 2026
