The story of Keloa Eyewear started when Laura, an optometrist by profession, and her family moved from Southern Finland to Finnish Lapland. As a curious person, Laura wandered around the forests, swamps, and fells surrounding her new home with her dog when the two found a large but mossy reindeer antler.
As a young optometry student, Laura dreamed of making her own frame one day, and this dream came alive again. Laura signed up for a reindeer antler course (yes, they do exist in Lapland) with the intention of making sunglasses.
After the theory lesson, the idea no longer seemed plausible, but the open-minded teacher said: “Well, let’s try!” To the surprise of many, the experiment paid off and after hundreds of attempts, Laura managed to make a pair of functional eyewear. During these attempts, another Finnish and very traditional material was found to complement the antler. Birchbark. As an optician, Laura has been careful about her frames’ fit and lens fitting, and usability is one of the most important cornerstones of Keloa.
After a few years of independent training, Laura packed these northern ingredients in her suitcase and travelled to France. In the middle of the Jura mountains, the best artisans in their field taught Laura both frame design and manufacturing methods.
Today, you can buy Keloa Eyewear products from our small workshop in Sodankylä, Finnish Lapland and by contacting us by mail or phone. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have!
Keloa is a verb borrowed into the Finnish language from the Sámi, which refers to how the reindeer rub their antlers against trees and branches to remove the thin velvety skin that covers them in the summer. These rubbing marks are often found on small pines in September-October. The habit is completely natural, and after coiling, the reindeer sheds its antlers to grow yet another pair for next year.
Did our products spark your interest or is there something on your mind?
You can reach Keloa Eyewear by email or phone. We will get back to you as soon as we can.