Eye-catching frames
From West Africa to the Dragons’ Den, Ottawa designer Nana Osei is turning heads with his new eyewear made from reclaimed material
Standing atop the mountains of Kwahu, one of the highest habitable regions in Ghana, Nana Osei of Ottawa’s Bôhten Eyeglasses, took in the beauty of his West African homeland. Breathing in fresh air and admiring the lush greenery enveloping him, he was inspired.
“It was so amazing just to be there,” says Osei of his time spent in Kwahu in 2009 to visit his family. “I wanted to do something that was unique and that I believe in, in terms of sustainability and design, but also something that would stand out.”
It might be a long way from Ghana to Ottawa, but the ambitious entrepreneur will appear on Dragons’ Den on April 23 to pitch his business plan and uber-cool eco-friendly shades.
Osei is in his third year of environmental studies at Carleton University. He credits his educational background and creative mind for helping him launch Bôhten Eyeglasses, which features high-quality sunglasses and opticals made from reclaimed materials from Ghana. The company is named for his middle name Boateng, which means prosperity.
His first collection Barklae was launched in December 2012 and included reclaimed materials such as redwood, zebrawood and bamboo, as well as reclaimed acetate for the optical frames. Each design embodies eco-luxury: high-end and environmentally conscious.
For Osei, using reclaimed material is a means to an end.
“It’s something that needs to be done that people don’t take seriously enough,” says Osei, who has sold almost 100 glasses since December. “If we’re going to have a sustainable planet, everyone will have to start reusing materials.”
Bôhten Eyeglasses, which retail between $179 and $239, are in boutiques and optical retailers in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and have also appeared at Ottawa Fashion Week, Black Expo Design in Montreal and various tradeshows around the city.
The eyewear also popped up on the back cover of Press the Fashion Magazine.
Osei got his start working in event planning and helping organize eco- luxury events that showcased all-natural products and services offered by area fashion and cosmetic businesses. In 2011, he stepped back to focus on his own business plan.
Osei’s team includes industrial designer Julian Nolin and his brother Nana K. Osei, the brand’s chief marketing officer. He pitched his idea to the Carleton Entrepreneurship Program, which funds student business ideas, and after getting the green light, he created his first prototype in the summer of 2012.
He presented the prototype at a student showcase version of Dragons’ Den and was encouraged to audition in Toronto.
He hopes to be able to explain his long-term vision of helping people in Ghana. The manufacturing for his eyeglasses is currently being done in Japan.
“I want to bring manufacturing back to Ghana because that would not only create jobs for local people, but we could also do it for a cheaper price, “says Osei.
“I figure if we’re going to do it somewhere, it should be Ghana.”
The Bôhten team are also getting ready to unveil a collection at the end of May, which will feature five new wood grains. Osei will also be found at the Green Expo at the Ottawa Convention Centre April 27 and 28.
For more information on the eyeglasses, visit the website at www.bohten.com.