As some of you may have heard, Mott Optical is now donating 5% of sales from their Mott & Bayard eyewear line to Apex for Youth! Mott Optical is a longstanding fixture in the Chinatown community where we have our roots (and where many of our kids reside), and we are truly appreciative of the support. We caught up with Kenneth Ma, the company’s business development manager and brainchild behind Mott x Bayard, on how the line and charity partnership came to be.
How and why did you decide to start the Mott x Bayard line?
Ken: I created Mott & Bayard Eyewear because I wanted to have an eyewear line that embodies the unique and diverse style of Lower Manhattan. Not to mention its cultural aesthetics. Mott Street Optical has been serving the Lower Manhattan community for over 25 years and it’s our belief that not only do we have a unique perspective on the taste and style needs of our diverse clientele who reside here, but also what other fashion eyewear brands within the industry today lack in meeting those needs. Why Mott & Bayard frames stand out is because we really honed in on the principle of a comfortable fit. Our frames feature an extended and elevated molded nose bridge made with the finest acetate on the market to enable those who were previously unable to wear an acetate frame a possibility. We also reduced the overall thickness of the frames and gave them a thinner profile so they would be light-weight and comfortable for people who have high prescriptions.
Our slogan for Mott & Bayard is “At the intersection of style and culture….” We want to provide the most stylish frames possible while tailoring our frames for the strong multicultural presence we serve in our thriving community.
Did you decide simultaneously that you would be donating part of the proceeds to a nonprofit? How did that idea come about?
Ken: Mott Optical Group creating a eyewear brand that has a strong community aspect to it came naturally because that is part of who we are and why we do business. We have been successful in the Chinese community for over 25 years not because of gimmicky marketing campaigns or sales promotions, but because we genuinely care about the community that has been with us for all these years and think it’s only right to give back and be involved with its improvement as much as possible. We can even say that it is one of the three pillars of our success, along with providing unparalleled eyewear choices and service excellence. Our dedication to our community is paramount and something we are very proud of. Mott Optical Group strongly believes in giving you a clear and healthy eyesight today, but we also want be with you as you realize your vision tomorrow.
What does the community mean to you?
Ken: A community is a collective of individuals or organizations that are committed in making their immediate surroundings a more hospitable, friendly, educated and pleasant place to live. From local businesses to the people who shop at those businesses. All of this comes from the heart of civic-minded organizations, like Apex for Youth, who lead and organize individuals and business to strive for this greater good.
Why did you choose Apex for Youth as the nonprofit to donate to?
Ken: Mott Optical Group has always looked for a credible nonprofit organization to partner up with to launch Mott & Bayard, and when Jason Wang from Xi’an Famous Foods had his Lunar New Year concert with Apex for Youth, it lent Apex for Youth the credibility that Mott Optical Group was looking for in a nonprofit organization.
In actuality, though, the reason for partnering with Apex for Youth runs a little deeper then just being credible. Like the youth Apex for Youth serves, the founder of Mott Optical Group, Siki Ma, immigrated to New York City over 35 years ago knowing very little English and struggled to assimilate and understand the American lifestyle and culture. It was due to nonprofit organizations like Apex for Youth that aided her in making the transition possible with free English classes, mentoring and tutoring. Mott Optical Group would have never existed without the help of organizations like Apex for Youth. Creating Mott & Bayard is just another way we would like to give back to the community as a gesture of gratitude and a heartfelt appreciation.