Meet Swin Huang | THE NO. 2 EYEWEAR | Founder & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Swin Huang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Swin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Before starting THE NO. 2 EYEWEAR, I worked in creative/branding agencies for over ten years. I LOVE design, but when my passion became my job for so long, it ate my soul, so I decided to change. I am always looking for ideas that can involve my design passion for solving problems and providing actual values, and finally, I found eyewear design.

Many ideas come from people’s experiences and problems, and my relationship with glasses is like that. Eyewear design is never friendly for Asian facial features, and I have worn glasses since I was a kid, and the experience was uncomfortable and annoying. The glasses kept sliding down my nose, hurting my nose and ears, and I broke many pairs of glasses.

I believe if I have these problems, there must be 100 people who have the same issues as I do. Also, design, quality, and details are important to me regarding glasses. I never found any glasses that looked good at the same time fit me well, so I thought, why not create one myself, and that’s why I started THE NO. 2.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
About the business: THE NO. 2 is an award-winning eyewear brand focusing on effortlessly fit & comfort combined with innovation for diverse face shapes.

Born in Brooklyn, NY. We make eyewear that is innovative, thoughtful, detailed, aesthetic, long-lasting, sustainable, and with as little design as possible. We believe eyewear should be something you are excited to wear every day. For us, a smile on your face when you put on our eyewear is all that matters.

Since its launch in 2021, we have received various international design awards and recognitions.

Awards
2021 GOOD DESIGN Awards — Winner
2021 International Design Awards (IDA) — Gold
2021 A’ Design Award — Silver
2021 Muse Design Awards — Gold
2021 AC Design Excellence Awards — Winner
2021 NY NOW Accent on Design — Winner
2021 London Creative Awards — Official Selection

Press
WWD, Vision Monday, Accessories Council Magazine

Show
Taipei Fashion Week Spring 2022

How did you get to where you are today business-wise:
From no understanding of product design, eyewear design, and no knowledge and connection to the eyewear industry to winning 7 international design awards and being featured in Taipei Fashion Week and various industry renowned publications within one year, each step is definitely challenging. The willingness to explore and try new things and meet new people, the courage to make mistakes because trials and errors are inevitable, and the persistence to keep going because this entrepreneurial journey is tough and lonely. And that’s how I got here today.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
“Being comfortable with uncomfortable” is what I learned, and I am still learning.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
People always ask, “Why not No. 1?”
We don’t need to be No. 1 as long as we are the sh*t. We are THE NO. 2.

The story started with an eye laser surgery 3 years ago. As a glasses wearer since I was a kid, I struggled to find a pair of glasses for my Asian face that didn’t slide down my nose, touch my cheeks, and hurt my nose and ears. Finally, the annoyance from wearing glasses led me to an eye laser surgery. I was so happy that there were no more glasses for me until I put on sunglasses and experienced the same eyewear problems again! At that moment, my designer alarm went off! I realized there is something wrong with how eyewear is designed.

I founded THE NO. 2 to create eyewear that focuses on customers’ fit, comfort, and user experience rather than just style or trend. Eyewear should elevate people’s everyday life, not create interruption. Eyewear can be and should be comfortable and effortless to wear for everyone. I struggled with wearing glasses so much, and being able to be free from all the eyewear problems is a lifetime relief. Many people like me experienced the same issues, and my goal is to make them enjoy wearing glasses again.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Chill and watch the Manhattan skyline at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Museums – Moma, Whitney Museum, The Met, Brooklyn Museum
The summit observation deck
Lobster at Chelsea Market
Gallaghers Steakhouse — NYC old-school steakhouse
Walk around in Bushwick
Brooklyn Bowl Fried Chicken

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I can’t be grateful enough for all the people who helped, supported, and believed in me throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Shoutout to my family, who loves and believes in me unconditionally. To my partner, Melody, who gives me so much love, hugs, and encouragement and stays by my side during my struggling time. To friends who spend their time and energy to help and support me.

THANK YOU ALL! Without all of you, I can’t be where I am today.

Website: theno2.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theno2eyewear/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theno2eyewear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theno2eyewear/

Image Credits
THE NO. 2 EYEWEAR