Corporate Partner Highlight:Yalea

First off, tell us a little bit about Yalea and how, as a brand, you came to support causes that do good in the world. 

Yalea, a De Rigo Group house brand, is an all-female brand of sunglasses and prescription frames designed and produced with women in mind. With its timeless elegance and femininity, the brand seeks to inspire all women by promoting a new freedom of expression and independence from fashions.

In addition to offering sunglasses and prescription eyewear designed to enhance the personality and face shape of each and every woman, Yalea actively promotes women’s empowerment and celebrates the modern female experience by supporting women’s freedom of choice, fostering their talent and embracing their personal beauty. A mission that the De Rigo brand incorporates into all of its activities.

Yalea confirms its all-round commitment to women supporting several projects, such as the humanitarian organization Women for Women International, in Afghanistan, to help women in countries affected by conflict so that they can rebuild their lives independently, providing them with a safe space and training programs to promote their social and economic emancipation. Besides that, Yalea brand supports I was a Sari, an ethical entrepreneurial that transforms the pre-used traditional Indian women’s clothing into accessories. A program which has translated into an authentic employment opportunity for more than 85 Indian women, and which combines artisanal training with real independence. 

Tell us who you are - what is your name, what do you do at the company, what makes this an important campaign for you personally to work on?

I am Elisa Marcon, Yalea Brand Manager & Licensing Brands Co-ordinator. For De Rigo, human relationships are just as important as the design and craftsmanship of our creations.

This care for others is especially prominent in Yalea, a brand that not only produces eyewear but also strives to build a more just and welcoming world for women, offering them real support and role models to look up to. As part of this journey, we have decided to focus on women's health, and one of the greatest threats in this area is breast cancer. According to a report from the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer worldwide, with around 2.3 million new cases each year. It accounts for one in eight cancer cases across both sexes and a quarter of all cancers in women, with 70% of deaths occurring in resource-constrained settings.

Faced with these numbers, action is essential, especially when we remember that behind these statistics are women—sisters, friends, mothers, and daughters—who could be saved through early diagnosis.

How did you discover Know Your Lemons, and what made you realize we were the perfect partner?

Once we identified this important goal, we began looking for a partner who was active in this area. We were seeking someone who reflected the same fresh and cosmopolitan spirit of Yalea. For us, Know Your Lemons was the perfect match, winning us over with the dynamism and immediacy of its content. Prevention is often seen as a heavy or daunting topic, and even though we all understand its importance, it can be difficult to know which symptoms to look out for. Know Your Lemons breaks down these barriers with engaging messaging and visuals, making it easy to identify the 12 signs and symptoms of breast cancer that need attention.

What do you hope to achieve with your campaign this October?

Our goal is to make a tangible impact by helping the organization save lives through prevention. This is why we’ve made a donation to support the free screening app distributed by the Know Your Lemons Foundation. But our commitment doesn’t stop there. We’ll also be promoting the project in stores through breast cancer awareness brochures, bringing Know Your Lemons to new places and introducing it to people who may not have been familiar with it before. However, our dedication extends beyond October; we stand by women every day. Our partnership with Know Your Lemons will last for a full year, during which we will collaborate on innovative ways to improve women’s health.

Most importantly, where can people go to purchase your products, and how can they share all the great things your company is doing to support good causes?

To mark our collaboration with Know Your Lemons, we’ve created two special edition pairs of glasses—one for sunglasses and one for prescription lenses—featuring elegant pink ribbon details on the front and a “Yalea – Pink Ribbon” emblem on the temple. For those interested in purchasing our products, we invite you to use the Store Locator on our website to find the nearest store. Regardless of sales, Yalea has made a donation to support the Foundation. To stay updated on our initiatives in support of women’s independence and well-being, follow us on social media or explore our magazine.