Eyestylist

I come from a background rooted in a family-owned optical business, where glasses were primarily viewed as a medical necessity. From a very young age, I was immersed in the professional tools, discipline, and skills of optics. Yet I always believed eyewear could be both functional and fashionable, a true extension of one’s personal style. I wanted to prove that vision care and self-expression could coexist beautifully.

This was a bold undertaking, especially at that stage of my life. I was just starting my young family — my son was barely a year old, and I was pregnant with my second. I was incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support of my family and husband, who encouraged me to create a space rooted in personality, experience, and connection.

At the time, I was among the first to introduce niche, high-end eyewear brands to the island, challenging a culture that largely selected frames solely for their brand name. We began with Face à Face, Oliver Peoples, Retrosuperfuture, and MYKITA — though, of course, I had to include Miu Miu, Ray-Ban and Tom Ford so people would actually walk through the door.

What followed exceeded all expectations. Clients fell in love with the personal-shopper approach, the “sip and shop” concept, and the immersive experiences we curated. Eye Q became known for its events, storytelling, and sense of community. Soon, we had created an eyewear culture — a space where everyone wanted to be seen wearing Eye Q spectacles. Customers would return from their travels proudly saying, “I got them in Barbados,” and share their eyewear stories with us.

One unforgettable moment came when Tarrence Lackran spotted me on Instagram — I was wearing a yellow dress, champagne in hand, under a coconut tree at one of our Eye Q beach parties. That moment led to our store being nominated in 2018 as one of the world’s best independent eyewear retailers. Our clientele spanned every walk of life, from fishermen to the Prime Minister.

Over the years, as I told the stories of global eyewear brands and listened deeply to the stories of my clients, one truth became clear: the Caribbean was not represented in eyewear — not authentically, not proudly, not through our own lens.

That realization gave birth to Peoples From Barbados — a brand created to showcase the culture, lifestyle, and beauty of Caribbean people through a new perspective: ours. Our ambition, our pride, our resilience, our warmth, and our beauty are embedded in every frame.

Our campaign by local photographer Adrian Richards went on to win the cover of 2020 Magazine in 2019 — a moment of immense pride. The recognition went beyond glossy postcard clichés and instead captured the true soul of Caribbean people. Since then, the brand has continued to evolve, including collaborations with Linda Farrow — blending high-end luxury with Caribbean soul and warmth.

For the past 15 years, I have not stopped — balancing family life, retail leadership, brand ownership, and my role as an optometrist. When I reflect, I’m often amazed at how unconventional my journey has been. I didn’t rely solely on the ease of my clinical skillset or position my business around medical necessity. Instead, I led with culture, style, and experience.

Ironically, because I am so closely associated with style and storytelling, people often forget what I am truly exceptional at: being an optometrist.

In 2026, Eye Q will place a stronger spotlight on our clinical role. We have been quietly saving sight for years, and we are committed to aligning with the WHO 2030 goals to make eyecare accessible to all. I have recently been elected as President of the Barbados Optometry Association, and I am deeply excited about this new chapter. I look forward to helping transform the landscape of optometric care — expanding scope of practice, regulating and protecting our industry, and ultimately ensuring better eyecare for all Barbadians. Above: Alicia Hartman with friends, celebrating 15 years of her business

There is also a growing awareness that eyewear has the power to transform one’s entire look. It is no longer secondary, but the number one accessory. As a result, luxury, well-crafted eyewear — rooted in quality and craftsmanship — is once again taking centre stage. Unique limited-edition collections are a thing! At the same time, heightened environmental consciousness means the era of “buy cheap, wear briefly, and discard” is wearing thin.

We are witnessing a return to nostalgia and feel-good brands — businesses that value authenticity, purpose, and human connection. Equally important are business models that prioritize employee well-being, work-life balance, and a genuine sense of belonging. Brands that nurture their people are the ones capable of creating lasting stories and enduring relevance.

Longevity today is built on products designed to last, retail spaces that create memorable experiences, and meaningful partnerships between brands and independent retailers.

While there has been a noticeable shift toward direct-to-consumer and online models, the independent retailer is far from dead. On the contrary, we serve as portals to culture and community. Brick-and-mortar retail is returning with renewed purpose — grounded in touch, feel, heritage, and shared experience.

Do you remember when you first started collaborating with Eyestylist and why you were so enthusiastic, it meant a lot to us to be in touch in those early days! It all began with a simple “like” on Instagram 15 years ago. Our Xmas ‘show’ window! A decal of glasses falling from the sky like snow onto a tiny Xmas tree. Simple, minimalist but effective so much so to catch the eye of the Eyestylist 100s of miles off the shores of Barbados. I had been following Eyestylist obsessively since I opened my doors. I admired Clodagh’s eye for eyewear and her impeccable taste. I loved the clean aesthetic of the page but the depth and detail of the eyewear stories told. So I was super “chuffed “ by the “like” . What followed was me tagging Eyestylist in many posts not just eyewear but our lifestyle and culture in Barbados. I really felt connected. My island shop to Europe portal! This shared relationship evolved and Eyestylist started featuring manny of our eyewear stories (link to an EYE Q story in 2018: https://www.eyestylist.com/2018/12/eye-q-stylist-optician-barbados/). From the launch of our brand (https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/03/the-spirit-of-barbados-peoples-from-barbados-sunglass-chic/), our pop ups around the Caribbean, me at crop over ( our carnival) and what I had for breakfast lol… I felt energetically connected and we brought the excitement of our Caribbean culture to more people via Eyestylist.com. Our journey of 15 years seems somehow connected , Eyestylist secretly now has Caribbean flair and sass .. haha, not to mention Clodagh gets a bottle of rum and pepper sauce whenever we meet at the shows lol…. Thank you for telling our stories.

What have you learnt along the way Alicia, and what has surprised you most as an optical retailer? I am pleasantly surprised — perhaps even manifesting it — that brick-and-mortar retail is making a meaningful return. You can feel it. As an optical retailer, trust your instincts and your vision. Trust in humanity, and remember that everything moves in cycles. Don’t be intimidated by the noise. Run your business with integrity and a deep belief in craftsmanship. People still want to feel special. They want to be seen. And that is why creating experiences and nurturing community is no longer optional — it is essential to the survival and evolution of our industry.

The independent retailer is here to stay. True luxury is not defined by price alone, but by how something makes you feel. The greatest retailers understand this. They know how to connect with people, tell meaningful stories, and leave their customers feeling genuinely good.

What do you think is the key to being a successful optical retailer in this new era? Create experiences that are truly memorable. Treat your retail space as a carefully curated emporium — intentional, personal, and immersive. Pair this environment with beautifully crafted products and a highly skilled, professional team who understand both the art and the purpose behind what they offer.

Build teams who don’t simply work for the brand, but genuinely fall in love with it — people who feel a sense of ownership and pride, and who see themselves as part of the brand’s success. At the same time, nurture strong, respectful relationships between retailers and brands. True partnership — built on trust, support, and shared values — is essential. In curation, less is more. Avoid overcrowded shelves. Be selective. Do not allow brands to compete with one another; instead, let them complement each other. Offer choice, but ensure it is intentional — each brand carefully chosen, clearly defined, and designed to serve a distinct purpose. Every brand within the space should offer a different perspective, contributing to a cohesive eyewear culture rather than visual noise. When done well, the store becomes more than a place to shop — it becomes a cultural hub. Community builds loyalty. Trust sustains it. That is the true key to longevity in retail.

What is your view of the independent eyewear segment at this point, and how do you select collections and new designs? Are you travelling to fairs as much as before? Our brand selection is curated to bring a truly global perspective to the shop. We showcase the best eyewear from around the world—each brand chosen for its unique story, uncompromising craftsmanship, and exceptional fit. Barbados is culturally diverse, and that diversity demands a meticulous eye for detail, comfort, and quality. Every collection must offer a distinct point of view, blending cultural storytelling with technical excellence.

We love LAPIMA, a brand from Brazil that embodies tropical flair with bold, architectural sculptural forms. Their designs feel instinctively right for Caribbean faces—as if they were made for us. MATSUDA transports us to Japan, where hand-engraved titanium, precision engineering, and unmatched craftsmanship result in frames that are truly works of art.

THEO brings joy through colour, creativity, and individuality—frames that brighten faces and express personality without compromise. Jacques Marie Mage (JMM) delivers LA’s refined Hollywood attitude: confident, collectible, and unapologetically bold..LG.R takes us on a journey to Africa, interpreted through an Italian lens—heritage-driven designs that balance exploration, culture, and timeless elegance.

LINDA FARROW represents high-end sophistication and fashion-forward luxury. This pairs beautifully with our own brand, Peoples From Barbados, which brings Caribbean soul, colour, and expression you didn’t know you needed.

The partnership between LINDA FARROW and Eye Q is one of the strongest brand–retailer relationships in the industry. Simon truly understands the value of the independent retailer, and we continue to grow together through close collaboration and shared vision. We inspire each other—and we’re excited to share that a new collaboration is on the horizon. Find out more about Alicia Hartman and Eye Q Stylist Opticians at https://eyeqstylistopticians.com

This Eyestylist Exclusive interview feature first appeared on Eyestylist.com on 23rd February 2026. All rights reserved.