From a Love of Vintage Frames to an Australian Icon: The Story Behind Arte Moda
*By Cindy Kerr, Founder & Designer, Arte Moda*
There’s a moment that every passionate designer knows — the one where you pick up something beautiful, turn it over in your hands, and think: I could make something even better than this.
For me, that moment happened with a pair of sunglasses.
Where It All Began
I’ve always been drawn to the bold, unapologetic style of the 1960s & 1970s. There was something about that era — the oversized frames, the rich tortoiseshell tones, the way a great pair of sunglasses could transform an entire look — that felt timeless to me, even decades later.
But when I went looking for sunglasses that captured that spirit while being built for the Australian lifestyle — our blazing summers, our beach culture, our love of colour and individuality — I kept coming up short. What I found was either fast fashion that fell apart after one season, or luxury imports priced out of reach for most people.
So I decided to create what I couldn’t find.
Arte Moda was born from that gap — a brand that believes great sunglasses shouldn’t be a compromise. You should be able to have style and substance, vintage soul and modern protection.
The Philosophy Behind Every Frame
The name Arte Moda is no accident. Arte — art. Moda — fashion. It’s the belief that eyewear is wearable art, and that the frames you choose say something about who you are.
Every pair in our collection is designed with this in mind. I draw inspiration from the Swinging 60's in London to the 1970s Italian and French design — the era when sunglasses became a genuine fashion statement — and translate that into styles that work for modern Australian life. Whether you’re at a rooftop bar in Melbourne, walking the Bondi promenade, or driving through the outback at golden hour, your sunglasses should feel like you.
Beyond aesthetics, we take sun protection seriously. Australia has some of the highest UV radiation levels in the world, and all Arte Moda frames are UV400 rated — blocking 99–100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Looking good and protecting your eyes aren’t a trade-off. They’re both non-negotiable.
Happy to Sit on Your Face
One of the highlights of building Arte Moda has been discovering and sharing another brand that share our values. That’s how we came to stock the wonderful New Zealand brand Happy to Sit on Your Face — a label that brings exactly the kind of irreverent, joyful energy to eyewear that we love.
Because at the end of the day, fashion should be fun. It should make you smile. A great pair of sunglasses should make you feel a little more you every time you put them on.
Made for Australia
Living in Australia means understanding the sun in a way that most of the world doesn’t have to. Our UV index regularly hits extreme levels — even on cooler days, even through cloud cover. Eye damage from UV exposure is cumulative and serious, yet so many Australians still reach for cheap, unrated sunglasses that offer little real protection.
At Arte Moda, we want to change that. We believe Australians deserve sunglasses that look stunning and genuinely protect their eyes — without spending a fortune. It’s why every pair we sell meets the highest UV protection standards, and why we’re passionate about helping our customers find frames that they’ll actually want to wear every single day.
Because the best sunglasses for your eyes are the ones you reach for first.
What’s Next
Arte Moda is still growing, still evolving, and still driven by the same question that started it all: what would I actually want to wear?
We’re constantly designing new styles with new stories to bring to our collection. If you share our love of bold, beautiful eyewear — whether you’re a die-hard vintage fan or just discovering the magic of a great frame — we’d love for you to be part of the Arte Moda community.
Browse our full collection at artemoda.com.au (https://www.artemoda.com.au) and follow along on Facebook @ArtemodaAU, Instagram @arte_moda_australia
Your next favourite pair of sunglasses is waiting for you. 🕶️
*Arte Moda is an Australian-owned independent brand specialising in retro-inspired, UV400-rated sunglasses. Founded and designed by Cindy Kerr, Arte Moda ships across Australia and worldwide.*