Beyond the Frames: How This London Optometrist Blends Vision, Style, and Storytelling with Eyewear
Beedie is a London based optometrist and eyewear content creator. She started her blog, beedieoneywear.com, fueled by her need to create, her desire to write, and her passion for eyewear. In addition to her blog, Beedie is an eyewear stylist, having styled for a magazine shoot and individuals. She uses her platform to highlight and promote independent eyewear brands.
Let's dive in to learn more about Beedie's story on being an Optometrist and creative in the Eyewear industry.
1. You started wearing glasses at the age of 9 years old. Tell us about your relationship with glasses back then.
"I hated wearing glasses when I was younger. The options were limited, extremely ugly and I didn’t like being different from other children. The first pair of glasses I remember getting were a black, metal, rounded rectangular frame because they wouldn’t let me get the rimless one I wanted. I would always remove my glasses before taking a picture because I hated them that much.
That changed though once I got a pair I actually liked (this happened when I was around 17 years old). I remember them being a square acetate frame with a keyhole bridge and a greenish tortoiseshell-like pattern, and I felt amazing in them. During university, I had a part time job at an optician which meant I could get several pairs of glasses at discounted prices. I began to see glasses as more than a necessity; they also became an accessory."
2. What led you to want to become an Optometrist?
"As the first-born Nigerian child, I found myself applying to study medicine. When I was rejected, by four universities in the space of a week, I turned to Optometry as my backup. Fortunately, it all worked out the way it was supposed to."
3. What’s the Eye care industry like in the UK for black and other minority communities?
"I find the eye care industry to be quite diverse. I have worked and trained with many optometrists from minority communities - I live and practise in London so my experience may not reflect the whole nation. I don’t remember seeing many Black optometrists or dispensing opticians growing up but this number seems to have increased over the years. It’s always nice seeing representation within your profession and the older I get, the more I realise that I am that representation for others."
4. You are not only an optometrist, but also an eyewear content creator, stylist, creative director, podcaster and blog writer (just to name a few). Tell us about the moment you decided to take a more creative route in your passion for eyewear.
"I started making Youtube videos about my experience as an Optometrist in 2016. This uncovered an interest in filming, editing and directing (this was also fuelled by my love for documentaries which I discuss on my podcast). During the pandemic, I decided to focus my content on my passion for eyewear and over the years, I’ve become more intentional about documenting it in various creative mediums."
5. What have been some challenges you faced as a creative in the eyewear space but also as an optometrist? What about rewards?
"The eyewear space is niche and sometimes trying to find your tribe feels like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It can be difficult not to feel overlooked. However, those who enjoy my content really enjoy it and it’s nice to see people who’ve followed me even from my YouTube days. It’s also extremely rewarding helping people find frames that make them feel confident, or introducing them to a new brand.
Being an optometrist allows me to meet and talk to people of all ages and from all walks of life. I get to have so many interesting conversations and learn about the most random things. It’s also great knowing you’ve helped someone with their vision which often means giving them the ability to continue doing the things they love.
"As with any role, challenges arise. Despite being qualified for almost ten years, I have had patients question my ability based on nothing other than my appearance. It can be difficult trying to pinpoint whether it’s my perceived age, my Blackness, my womanhood or a combination of all three that leads to such doubts."
6. Who/what were some of your influences growing up? What about now?
"Growing up, I was influenced and inspired by Destiny’s Child. They introduced baby Beedie to the concept of excellence and the importance of refining your craft. As a teenager, I loved watching YouTuber Peakmill. Her endless creativity and recollections of being a child on a budget showed me that I had everything I needed to create within me."
"Nowadays, my inspiration is closer to home. As I tread deeper into the forest of adulthood, I see my parents as more than just my caregivers. I see them as people with hopes and dreams. People who moved abroad in their 30s, leaving their country and comforts behind. They inspire me to go for what I want without fretting about the end result and they have shown me the power of sacrifice."
7. Where do you see Beedie on Eyewear in the next 10 years? What’s the goal?
"The goal is to be happy and fulfilled. In 10 years, I want to be in a place where I feel in control of my time and my life. I see myself working with brands on the creative direction of their eyewear campaigns, and styling for fashion shoots. I see myself styling individuals and continuing to make people feel comfortable in (and proud of) their eyewear choices. I see myself working with independent eyewear brands and opticians, perhaps having started a consultancy, to ensure they continue to thrive and compete against multiples and better-known brands. Recently, I have started designing eyewear. In 10 years, I see myself designing for brands as well as designing (and making) bespoke eyewear for individuals."
8. What advice would you give to persons interested in entering the eyewear industry - eyecare, creative or otherwise.
"Believe in your sauce, work on your craft and remember your ‘why’."
9. How can people connect with you to learn more about your work?
"I would love to find more of my tribe! Follow me on Instagram; @beedieoneyewear, explore my blog; beedieoneyewear.com or email to collaborate; hello@
Thank you for sharing a part of your journey with us Beedie. Be sure to follow her on all of her platforms and continue to follow Bôhten's blog to discover more about inspiring people in our community.