January 3 ------ “Uninvited” star Nadine Lustre is stepping into 2025 with a “clear” vision — not just for her showbiz endeavors but also for her business ventures. She ended 2024 with an eyewear collaboration with Vision Express. It wasn’t an overnight project. “Actually, this has been almost a three-year project,” Nadine shared during an interview. The idea for the collab started back in 2021 but it was delayed due to various circumstances.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t push through with the collection or collaboration because there were so many things going on. I think I wasn’t in the right headspace at the time. Ang dami ngang nangyayari,” she admitted. Despite the setbacks, she said the eyewear store Vision Express remained committed, leading to the successful launch of their collection called 9Lives in the last quarter of 2024. “The name ‘9Lives’ came about during a brainstorming session,” Nadine explained. “Nine is my lucky number, so it just made sense.” While the name might seem “anticlimactic,” she said, it reflects her desire to create something personal yet playful, fashionable yet functional.
According to the actress, the 9Lives x Vision Express collection features four full-rim frames and sunglasses: the bold, translucent Bayonetta; the sharp, geometric Ciri; the timeless, metal-finish Rubin; and the sleek, metallic Lima. The collection allows for lens personalization and is available at Vision Express stores, on their website (visionexpress.ph), and through official Shopee and Lazada pages. “The one I wear most often is the Lima,” she revealed, though she admitted it’s hard to pick a favorite since she loves all the pieces.
She said she had a hands-on approach to the whole process behind the project. “From the conceptualization to the designs and the campaign, I really had to be involved,” she said. Collaborating closely with Vision Express and their suppliers, she said every detail was meticulously planned, from the temples to the lenses. She also learned a lot along the way. “I didn’t even know there were Asian-fit and European-fit frames. That’s why a lot of eyewear I bought abroad didn’t fit me well,” she shared. This inspired her to ensure the collection catered specifically to Filipinos. “I want 9Lives to be known as a Filipino brand.”
Eyewear has been a part of Nadine’s looks and lifestyle. “Sometimes, I wear frames lang... pang-hide ng not wearing makeup or for practical reasons when using gadgets or working on my laptop,” she shared. When it comes to eye care to complement her eyewear, she said, “So, I try to limit my phone use as much as possible. Social media, for example, may oras lang like one to two hours. But sometimes, it’s not enough. “Also, I make sure na kapag nasa labas ako, I wear shades kasi the sun can really damage your eyes. Especially when you’re at the beach, yung reflection ng sun sa tubig harmful siya.”
Apart from 9Lives, Nadine has big goals for 2025. She hinted at more drops for her existing businesses, including her plant-based milk line and wine brand, which she runs with her non-showbiz boyfriend. “For 2025, I’m hoping for more drops for 9Lives. I honestly want to work on more music and more films. Aside from that, we’re launching a plant-based milk, and of course, continuing with the wine business… we have the restaurant,” she said. “I guess my vision for 2025 is that all of these brands are moving on their own.” “Definitely, a lot of our businesses are value-driven,” she continued. “With the wine, what happened was a friend of ours approached us, and my boyfriend and I, we love wine so why not. But a lot of the other ones are connected with, I guess, my values as well. We have a plant-based restaurant, it makes sense for me because I’m vegan. The plant-based milk as well, and even our wine is vegan. So, that side it’s more about purpose and values driven. For 9Lives, though, it’s more of a creative outlet — that’s also like a passion project. I can also have a product line in the future or something that’s for the home. It’s the things that I like I want to put out.”
Asked by The STAR about the biggest business lesson she has learned from running her own business, she said she’s still learning and adapting but one thing is certain for her, that is to find a solid team. “You really have to be picky with the people you work with. Your team represents your brand, so if they’re not a good fit with you or the brand, you have to make changes,” she said. “Your brand is like a moving train — you can’t just stop, you have to keep going.”
Source: philstar.com
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