OUR STORY

A woman pictured in a white and pink dress in a grassy field wearing sunglasses

Maono, meaning “vision” in Swahili, is not just a brand name, but a reflection of our founder's journey. Faith Dawson, the founder of Maono Eyewear, was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease in her 20s, a rare genetic eye disease that can cause progressive vision loss over time. 

When Faith found out about her condition, sunglasses became an essential accessory for her, not for style but for their protective benefits against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Overexposure to UV can be damaging to the eyes and cause issues over time for anyone -- not just those affected by eye conditions. In fact, our eyes are said to be 10x more sensitive to UV than our skin.

In her search for sunglasses she could trust, Faith quickly realized that not all sunglasses were created equal. Many were designed for fashion rather than protection, which inspired her to create her own line of sunglasses that prioritize both style and protection. All Maono Eyewear styles are designed with 100% UVA/UVB protective lenses and use high-quality frame materials.

Faith's vision for Maono Eyewear extends beyond creating stylish and protective sunglasses. A portion of the proceeds from each sale is donated to causes focused on research and innovations fighting against blindness-causing diseases.