Fashion icon, entrepreneur, mother, wife. Is there anything Karen Wazen can’t do? It seems unlikely.
The Dubai-based entrepreneur recently celebrated another milestone in her career, opening the first retail space for her eponymous eyewear brand – a space just as effortless and refined as she is.
“It’s not really hitting me yet,” GRAZIA’s former cover girl admits to us on the new space in Mall of the Emirates, which features the latest season 10 drop to the stand-out best sellers, around her stood the vibrant and elevated sunglasses she created.
From breaking down her newest collection, to speaking candidly about motherhood, Karen shares the entirety of her process with us in this GRAZIA exclusive.
Karen Wazen Eyewear at Mall of the Emirates
Founded in 2018, Karen Wazen’s eponymous eyewear brand has seen impressive growth in the past five years. With almost 200k followers, and their most recent drop birthing their best seller yet, it shows no signs of slowing down.
“Mall of the Emirates is the mall I spend most of my time in Dubai in, so to have to see my name every time I come is very special,” she reveal. In gleaming minimalist font, her name sits at the front of the space, holding ground for the vibrant array ahead.
“Season 10 was a big milestone for us, because that’s already ten collections from my baby,” she says in reference to her brand. And while every season has its own story, the new season brings a refreshing breath to her discography. Titled “See Through My Eyes” this collection speaks vibrancy and versatility in your look. With wavy peculiar pairs like the Ava’s or sporty sleek ones like the Hazels. She offers an unmatched versatility through the newest collection.
“We wanted to make sure that everyone felt like they found a piece of them in the collection,” she explains. “The Lily for example has a new introduction of our logo on the frames, making them timeless and elegant, while the Ava are quite fun and cool with a wave detail that’s inspired by water.”
Additionally, pairs like the Ash and Blaze call back to fire, with their sharp edges and strong cuts. Using the collection as an avenue of your story, season 10 of Karen Wazen Eyewear acts as a microphone for your personality. Whether you stand loud and fiery or undemandingly effortless, there is something for you here.
Who is Karen Wazen?
With over 8 million Instagram followers and a few more million on TikTok, it’s safe to say you’ll have heard the name Karen Wazen. Known for her effortless yet sleek style, she fills our feeds with slick backs, intimate moments with her family, and undeniably cool fashion inspo.
Her brand exists as an extension of herself. As an ode to her childhood insecurities, yet simultaneously a reflection of her growth and reclamation since.
“I was pregnant two years in a row,” she explains to GRAZIA. “So, I had put on a lot of weight and wasn’t able to dress the way that I like but I was always someone who loved to express myself through fashion, so sunglasses became such an important element within my outfit. One, it completed the look, but two, it elevated the look.”
“Eyewear has been such a source of power to me, and I just hope I can transmit this power to our community,” she adds.
But first, a mother
As an entrepreneur, digital creator, and “mama of three”, saying Karen is a woman of many hats would be an understatement. And she has no intention of making it look like it’s a bed of roses either. From writing songs in pyjamas about being a dreamer, to carrying the guilt society places on working mums, she leads with authenticity at the forefront.
But how exactly does she balance it all?
“I wish there was an answer I could give you, but every single day is a different story. There’s no formula you can use,” she candidly tells us. And while there may be no rule book, she has found reflection as a powerful tool in her parenting taking everything “week by week”.
Instead of holding herself to an impossible standard of perfection, she allows herself the breath and time to be present. A moment to recalibrate before jumping back onto her busy, but nonetheless fruitful, life.
Creating discerning sunglasses that unleash their own vibrancy, the Karen Wazen Eyewear space is open at the Mall of the Emirates today. Ageless and distinct, she creates for you in all your dimensions.
