We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emmy O’reilly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emmy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

At the very end of 2023, an extraordinary opportunity landed in my Instagram message requests: a paid invitation to customize three pairs of unique sunglasses for none other than MADONNA herself. This shocking invitation arrived from a new follower who discovered me through keywords, just as I was at a massive crossroads in my life. Business had slowed to a crawl, I was nomadic & feeling so unstable at the time, and had just emerged from a messy breakup. I found myself looking up to the universe, desperate for a sign to either lay my business to rest for a period of time & take another job or revolutionize the way I was running it.

Then, like a shimmering beacon of hope, TD Garden—the venue hosting Madonna’s Celebration tour in Boston—reached out about crafting sunglasses for her as a special artist gift. I could hardly wrap my mind around it. For any small, handmade business owner, a chance like this is both exhilarating and daunting. A photo of a celebrity rocking your creations is like a rocket ship to the moon, propelling your brand into the stratosphere.

But it wasn’t just about Madonna’s superstar status; creating sunglasses for her held deep personal significance for me. As a ’91 baby, I grew up in a world painted by her influence—a vibrant realm of lace, pearls, leather, female empowerment, and unapologetic self-expression. Her songs were basically the soundtrack of my childhood, echoing through countless memories of dress-ups and talent shows, each one inspired by her rebellious spirit. My respect and admiration for her has only deepened over the years, and as I delved into her story, I found an unexpected resonance that mirrored my own journey.

My wearable art business is built on the belief that authentic self-expression through fashion acts as a gateway to empowerment, confidence and life-changing conversations. To be tasked with creating for the QUEEN of self-expression herself felt monumental, and served as a huge invitation to improve my craft & practices. I embraced the challenge, experimenting with higher-quality materials and designer frames from Prada, Loewe, and Fifth & Ninth. For the first time, I started to believe that my brand could be bigger than I had every imagined.

Now I’m sure you’re left wondering… HAS SHE WORN THEM YET?! No, I haven’t seen a photo of her wearing the sunglasses I made YET, but I believe that day will come when the back-end of my business is ready to handle such a spotlight. I can almost feel that moment glimmering on the horizon.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Meow and welcome to the colorful world of Dubkitty Designs! I’m Emmy O’Reilly, the creative, operational & (currently) sole force behind this vibrant eyewear brand, where self-expression meets artistry.

The idea to create one-of-a-kind eyewear using repurposed jewelry started in 2018 through a burning man-inspired crafting session laced with serendipitous, creative solutions. I’ve always been creative but until I found eyewear, I struggled to find the medium through which I could truly see myself as an artist. Influenced by unique eyewear brands like AyahEye, I explored the idea to decorate eyewear with repurposed jewelry for the first time.

I’m very passionate about repurposing, second-hand fashion & costuming as a confidence hack, so naturally I already had a treasure trove of broken jewelry, and small random objects just waiting for inspiration to strike. Serendipitously, the girl I drove with to burning man provided me with the perfect glue to test my first pair of bedazzled glasses. While waiting in the infamously long line to the event, I crafted three pairs which I rocked all week. I got so many compliments that a lightbulb went off in my brain… “this might be a business idea!”. Six years later, I’ve made & sold over one thousand pairs of sunglasses and ski goggles across six different countries.

What sets my brand apart from other bedazzled eyewear brands is that I use unique pieces that help you stand out in the crowd. I also take on more customized / bespoke orders than most other eyewear brands because, well, I love it! What I enjoy most about what I do is hearing incredible stories of customers meeting other cool people because their glasses or goggles attract compliments that turn into life-changing conversations. I’ve heard stories of collaborations, business opportunities, romantic relationships, and friendships blossom from a conversation initiated by the glasses.

Wearing bold, bright and eye-catching fashion pieces can also act a huge catalyst for growth, helping shy people move past their fear of being seen and others feel confident in their unique, authentic expression. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because of how fun & fulfilling this creative business is.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, society can best support artists and creatives by consciously prioritizing and investing in individual creators over corporations & computers. When we choose to support artists, we are not just purchasing a product; we’re affirming the intrinsic value of human creativity and individuality. This choice helps cultivate a vibrant ecosystem where diverse perspectives thrive, originality is celebrated, human-to-human connections deepen, and artists not only survive but thrive.

On the flip side, if we allow soulless corporations to dominate our cultural landscape, we risk creating a bland & homogenous world. Corporate entities often value profit over authenticity, which I fear will lead to a world where our environments—be it our homes, wardrobes, and social media feeds—mirror the soulless outputs of algorithms rather than the rich, beautiful tapestry of the human experience.

By championing artists, we co-create a culture that values uniqueness, innovation, and self-expression. Centering our lives around those values is not only fulfilling on the individual level but it also fosters collaboration and creativity within our communities. Supporting local artists, attending art events, wearing artists’ creations and sharing their work helps create a world infused with spirit and diversity – a world where we can all thrive.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As a wearable art artist, the most rewarding aspect of my work is the positive impact I have on my customers. I consistently receive heartfelt feedback from both new and returning customers who share how wearing their unique sunglasses or goggles helps them feel badass, fabulous, and powerful. Wearing something truly one-of-a-kind and/or personalized not only brings them pure joy but also floods them with compliments, which further boosts their self-confidence and ignites conversations and connections with others.

What I love about working with my customized / bespoke order customers, specifically, is the collaborative journey we embark on together. Through the process of co-creating a unique pair, I often get the feedback that I help them reconnect with their inner child and ignite their crafty & creative side. It’s an empowering and enlightening experience that encourages them to explore & express the unique aspects of their personal expression through fashion like they’ve never done before. Witnessing my customers’ glow-up and knowing I played a role in it is what makes my creative journey so fulfilling.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dubkitty.designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dubkitty.designs

Image Credits

Matt Stomper
Halsey Pierce
Shanelle Eilers
Caitlin Denise
Mindy Fyfe