Nadine’s 9LIVES eyewear collection reflects her creative instincts and desire to cater to the unique facial features and sensibilities of Filipinos.
Nadine knows the frustration of finding the perfect pair of glasses. “A lot of the pieces don’t look good on me,” she says, reflecting on her struggles with ill-fitting eyewear during shopping trips. “Kahit gusto ko ‘yung pieces, when I try it hindi na siya maganda. It’s too big, or sometimes it’s too small, or it keeps falling.” This personal challenge sparked in Nadine the creation of 9LIVES, her debut eyewear collection in collaboration with Vision Express.
Rather than another celebrity-fronted product line, 9LIVES feels personal, a thoughtful reflection of Nadine’s creative instincts and her desire to cater to the unique features and sensibilities of Filipinos.
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A fit for every face
At the core of 9LIVES is inclusivity. Nadine’s goal was to create frames that work for everyone, regardless of face shape, style preference, or gender. She poured herself into the process, meticulously considering how each frame would feel and look on a wide range of wearers.
“I want people to think, ‘That’s a Filipino brand,’” she says, emphasizing how the collection is shaped by local identity. She also incorporated what she learned about Asian-fit eyewear, ensuring the designs are not just stylish but practical and comfortable for Filipino facial features.
The frames are also unisex, with Nadine aiming for a balance of edgy and wearable. “Even the colors aren’t the usual silver, gold, or black,” she notes. Instead, you’ll find subtler variations like gunmetal or shades with a gold-tinted silver.
Building the collection took two years, a process Nadine described as “overwhelming” due to the sheer number of creative possibilities. “From the temples to the lenses, there were so many finishes and details we could play with,” she explains. “Nakakalula siya.” But rather than lean too heavily into experimentation, Nadine kept the designs approachable.
For Nadine, 9LIVES isn’t just a product line, it’s a reflection of her values and aesthetic. From logo design to the look and feel of the launch event, she was intimately involved in every detail.
“It doesn’t feel right if I’m not hands-on,” she says. “The brand has to come from me.”
This philosophy also applies to the eyewear itself. Each pair was trialed by her closest friends and family, who affirmed the collection’s universal appeal. “My friends would say, ‘Oh my God, all of the pieces look good on me,’ and I’d say, ‘That’s the point!’”
The collection’s name, 9LIVES, plays off her initials, NL, while nodding to her favorite number, nine. The name may feel straightforward, but Nadine spent time grounding it in her vision. “It’s not just a name, it has to have values and reflect the brand’s essence,” she explains.
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Meet the frames
The debut collection features four distinct styles available in three color variations each:
Bayonetta. Bold, rectangular full-rim frames in translucent finishes with a modern edge
Lima. A polished rectangular design with a subtle metallic finish, ideal for everyday use
Ciri. Nadine’s personal favorite, featuring sharp edges and geometric shapes for an avant-garde, statement-making look
Rubin. Sleek aviator-style frames with metal finish, perfect for an understated chic look
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Tips for choosing the perfect pair
Struggling to find the pair that not just fits your face shape but also your style? Here are a few tips to help you find the right frames:
Know your face shape. Oval faces suit most styles, while square faces benefit from rounder frames. Heart-shaped faces often pair well with an aviator design or geometric edges.
Check the fit. The frames should sit comfortably on your nose bridge and temples. Nadine designed 9LIVES to cater to Filipino facial features, so the fit feels natural.
Customize. Personalize your lenses to fit your needs, whether for fashion or practicality. Add blue light filters for work or tinted lenses if you’re often outdoors.
Blend style with function. Experiment with adventurous designs but ensure they work with your daily wardrobe and lifestyle.
What’s next?
“This is just the beginning,” she teases, hinting at bolder designs and color options in future collections. For now, Nadine is taking stock of how people respond to the debut frames, but her ambitions for 9LIVES extend beyond eyewear.
“It’s more than just glasses,” she says, imagining the brand as a platform for creative expression. From fashion to lifestyle products, she sees 9LIVES as a canvas for her ever-evolving ideas.
