Meet Your Neighbour, Isle of Eden

The stylish and innovative “Isle of Eden” has moved into the Uptown neighbourhood. Focused on sustainability,

affordability and quality, these sunglasses are some of the best on the planet you’ll be able to find.

Nelson Rayner started Isle of Eden four years ago in London, after dreaming of creating his own sunglasses business for more than a decade. With their first baby on the way, Nelson and his partner ​​Felina Natoli moved back to Aotearoa to start their family and the new business. 

It was an interest in 90’s hip hop and rap music, with their big Versace glasses, that kicked off Nelson’s fascination with sunglasses. However, with the monopoly from big businesses resulting in an overpriced, unsustainable industry, Nelson’s interest in sunglasses grew into a small business with a different way of doing things.

Each pair is designed by Nelson himself, with every aspect of production and materials from start to finish, executed with the environment in mind. The handmade sunnies are crafted out of a biodegradable material, with lenses that are perfectly designed for Aotearoa’s uniquely strong rays of sun. For people wanting to upcycle their Isle of Eden sunglasses, they can take them into the shop, buy a new pair with a 30% discount, and Nelson will reuse parts of the old sunnies in a new pair.

And the sustainability doesn’t stop there. Every piece of plastic involved in samples, shipping and packaging is recycled and turned into fence posts by Isle of Eden’s partner Future Post. Isle of Eden is also partnered with charitable organisation Sustainable Coastlines, running a programme in which profits from each pair of sunglasses sold go towards a massive beach clean up effort.

When it came to finding their first physical shop location, the decision to move into the Uptown area came down to a combination of things.

“I like that Uptown is such a unique area; it’s definitely on the rise. I’d rather be a part of an area that’s poised for growth than somewhere already established. Price was another big factor; it’s an area that’s affordable for a small business, like us, to get their footing.”

Head along to 46 New North Road to visit Nelson at Isle of Eden and pick yourself up a pair of statement, sustainable, affordable frames, right here in Uptown.

Website: www.isleofeden.co.nz
Instagram: @isle_of_eden
Email: info@isleofeden.co.nz
Address: 46 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland 1021