The Documentary Podcast Anna-Karin Karlsson: Sunglasses made for icons
Dec 8, 2025
Anna-Karin Karlsson, a luxury eyewear designer known for her iconic, bejeweled glasses, chats with cultural journalist Anna Åkerlund. They explore how her serene upbringing inspires bold creations worn by icons like Beyoncé and Elton John. Anna-Karin shares her journey from London jobs to founding her brand, emphasizing craftsmanship and the evolution of her collections. We learn about her commitment to financial independence, her meticulous design process, and how she balances creativity with the demands of the fashion world.
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Glasses As Mini Sculptures
- Anna-Karin blends sculpture and fashion to make eyewear that reads as small art pieces rather than novelty items.
- She uses rare materials and complex craftsmanship to blur the line between art and wearable design.
Filling A Flamboyant Niche
- There was a market gap for flamboyant, well-executed luxury eyewear that Anna-Karin aimed to fill.
- Her niche combined theatrical motifs with technical difficulty, requiring specialist artisans.
Bootstrapped Beginnings In London
- Anna-Karin moved to London with no money and worked three jobs to pay rent while learning the fashion trade.
- She later returned to Sweden, slept with prototypes, and pushed nonstop to build her brand from scratch.