Article from JydskeVestkysten: The glasses are made from old bottles and the cases from fabric scraps – Mette Wotkjær has started a new eyewear adventure! Mette officially launched her company OjeOje at the beginning of the year, but she has previously been part of another eyewear company. She therefore has extensive knowledge of the industry, which she has now re-entered.
Text & photo by Mathilde Nygaard Jespersen mnyje@jfm.dk
At the beginning of the year, Mette Wotkjær started her own eyewear company, OjeOje, which specializes in selling recycled reading glasses and sunglasses, where the frames are primarily made from plastic waste. She has since partnered with the Soroptimists in her hometown of Kolding. They sew the cases for the glasses, with the profits from sales going to charitable causes around the world.
– I actually happened to talk to my mother about it, and it all came about quite quickly after that, because the lovely ladies were eager to start a collaboration right away, and I need the cases, says Mette Wotkjær, while in the adjacent rooms, lively chatter can be heard when it's not drowned out by the rhythmic sound of a sewing machine.
For here in the living room of the home in Kolding, a group of sewing-enthusiastic women from the local branch of Soroptimist Kolding are gathered for an afternoon of sewing countless glasses cases. They will be used in Mette Wotkjær's new eyewear company, OjeOje, which she officially launched at the beginning of the year, and where sustainability is a core concept of the business.
Reading glasses and sunglasses are thus created from various recycled plastics, particularly from the food industry, and the cases are made from fabric scraps from the textile company Kvadrat. For every case sold, the profit goes to Soroptimist Kolding's work, which includes improving the lives and status of women and girls around the world.
– Mette presented the idea to us, and it seemed perfectly natural for us to be a part of it, because it both benefits Mette's company, and we also have the opportunity to earn a little for a good cause, says Karen Krogh, who has been part of Soroptimist Kolding since 2014 and continues:
– And then, it's something we enjoy doing together, says Karen Krogh, as there are affirmative nods around the table:
– It's both when we're gathered here, but we also take the fabric home, so we can sit and sew individually, says Else Jørgensen, who this year celebrates her 25th anniversary with Soroptimist Kolding.
Experience from before
Although OjeOje is a relatively new project for Mette, working in the eyewear industry is far from new to her. She was previously part of another eyewear brand, Have A Look, which she started back in 2013.
– So when I stopped that, I hadn't really thought about doing reading glasses and sunglasses again, but after a break, I felt like I wanted to build something up again on my own. So glasses seemed like a natural fit because I know the market, and it would be easier to get started, says Mette Wotkjær.
There is laughter, chatter, and, not least, a lot of glasses cases being sewn around the table when the group of women from Soroptimist Kolding meet to sew the cases used for OjeOje glasses. The profits from the sale of the cases go to various good causes around the world.
At the beginning of the year, she officially launched her business, but prior to that lay extensive work in designing the glasses, finding the right suppliers, setting up a website, and ensuring complete sustainability in her company.
– It means a lot to me that what I produce also takes the greatest possible account of the planet we live on, and which we all must take care of. That's also why I've chosen for the frames to be made of this clear recycled plastic. I have most of it shipped home by sea instead of air, and all these things help ensure that we take the greatest possible consideration, explains Mette Wotkjær.
Besides sustainability, design is – naturally – an important parameter for Mette, and therefore she sells glasses in a wide range of different shades. A parameter that she also had great success with in her first eyewear company.
– I also think it's important that the design and colors of the reading and sunglasses stand out, so you also have the option of buying several different pairs, and you can use them as an accessory to jewelry, watches, and whatever other accessories you have, says Mette Wotkjær.
Good start
Although the company is only a few months old, OjeOje has already gotten off to a good start, creating a busy schedule not just for Mette, but also for the skilled sewing ladies from Soroptimist Kolding.
– Fortunately, the ladies are quick with their fingers, but it's also voluntary work for them, so it also has to be that they sew and work on the cases when they have the time and desire to do so, says Mette Wotkjær, while Karen Krogh looks up from her sewing machine, adding another finished case to the ever-growing pile on the table:
– Fortunately, we can keep up so far. After all, we also have an interest in selling as many cases as possible, because that generates more funds that we can then donate, says Karen Krogh.
The fabric for the various cases must first be cut and prepared before the cases can be sewn on the machines, where a small logo is also sewn on, before the cases are then turned inside out and are ready for use.
The finished cases, like the reading and sunglasses, are also available in several different shades. All cases are sewn from fabric scraps.
About the collaboration:
• Soroptimist Kolding was founded on May 18, 1944, and is part of a worldwide network of women working to advance human rights for women and girls. In Kolding, the president is Ellen Green Jeppesen.
• Globally, there are approximately 75,000 members in over 3000 clubs working across borders in 122 countries. The organization works to improve women's and girls' educational opportunities, economic independence, eradicate violence, ensure access to healthy food and healthcare, and emphasize environmental sustainability.
• They support a number of local, national, and international activities; among these, Soroptimist Kolding has donated money to Mødrehjælpen in Kolding, to those affected by crises in Ukraine, for tailoring education for women in Uganda, and many others.
• The profits from the collaboration with OjeOje also go to projects around the world.
