Ever wondered what it takes to build a brand from scratch that speaks volumes about craftsmanship and pays homage to strong, powerful women? Meet Dr. Sophia Visanji, the brain behind Aliana Rose Eyewear, an extraordinary label rewriting the rules of the eyewear industry. Today, she opens up about her journey, the soulful stories that shaped her collections, and the invaluable wisdom she’d impart to her younger self. Prepare to be inspired as we dive deep into a world where fashion is more than just aesthetics—it’s an ode to heritage, power, and the beauty of vision!

Dr. Sophia Visjani, Optometrist and Founder of Aliana Rose Eyewear

Who is Dr. Sophia Visjani?:

Dr. Darryl Glover:If you don’t mind, maybe you could share where you’re from, where you went to school, and your “why.” How did you get into eye care? Let’s get this party started, my friend.

Dr. Sophia Visanji:Okay, so I’m Canadian. Originally, I’m from Calgary, Alberta. I went to school at NECO in Boston and graduated in 2014. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a decade; it feels like I graduated just yesterday. Right after school, I moved to New York.

I had one year left on my student visa, and I thought, “Let me go somewhere exciting like LA, New York, or Chicago.” I chose New York, fell in love with the city, and I’ve been here ever since. I’m the East Coast Director of Zac Eyes, a startup based in LA that expanded to New York. I also have my sunglass line called Aliana Rose Eyewear, and I’m on social media as the Monocle Muse.

The Rise of Monocle Muse: Melding Optometry with Fashion

Dr. Darryl Glover:So, let me know where you want to go with this brand. You’ve made a name for yourself. You’ve infused your flair for photography and fashion into having the proper eyewear. But where do you want to take this brand?

Dr. Sophia Visanji:The Monocle Muse, has been an incredible platform for me to attract new patients and advertise for my eyewear and sunglasses companies. It’s turned into its own little business as well. I create content for tons of fashion brands. I’ve worked with Bloomingdales, Who What Wear, and even featured in Vogue India. There have been so many opportunities in the fashion space that it’s essentially created a second career for me, which has been amazing. Now, I only see patients two to three days a week, and the rest of the time, I’m working on content and campaigns for fashion and lifestyle brands. That’s where the direction is now: to continue creating cool content, work with these brands, and build out that business.

Behind the Shades: The Soulful Story of Aliana Rose Eyewear

Dr. Darryl Glover:If you don’t mind, share the name and walk us through how you developed that name. What did that process look like? Starting an eyewear line is no easy task.

Dr. Sophia Visanji:It has indeed been a labor of love. The name of the brand is Aliana Rose Eyewear.