Christina Kirkman x Quay

Comedian, actress, and viral content creator Christina Kirkman has launched her first-ever eyewear collaboration with global brand QUAY. The QUAY x Christina Kirkman Travel Edit features eight bold, vacation-ready sunglasses inspired by retro vibes, street style, and summer glam. The capsule includes playful styles like Chart Topper, Vibe Check, and Text Me, designed to reflect Christina’s many moods and summer personalities.

In her interview with BELLA, Christina shares that creating an eyewear line had been a long-time goal. A self-professed sunglasses enthusiast, she aimed to design pieces that are expressive, versatile, and mood-driven. Christina credits her social media success for opening doors to authentic brand partnerships, especially those that align with her humor and creativity.

Christina emphasizes the importance of showing up as her true self online, without forcing trends or aesthetics. She believes her content stands out because it’s rooted in passion and presence, not performance. Her advice for aspiring creators: Stay consistent, trust your brand, embrace failure, and just keep going.

How did the partnership with QUAY come about, and what excited you most about creating your own capsule collection?

When I first signed on with my management team a little over a year ago, one of the first goals that I had mentioned was an eyewear campaign. If I’m not wearing my prescription glasses, I am wearing sunglasses and I think eyewear is such an easy and fun way to experiment with fashion and your personal style. My choice in eyewear is usually reflective of my mood and I love that this collection has different shapes and sizes that fit my (many) moods. Quay is so iconic, and I am just so stoked that they trusted me to be a part of this.

You’ve built a unique platform as a comedian, actress, and creator — how has your social media presence helped open doors to collaborations like this one?

I think the coolest part of social media is that there is a little corner for everyone. I have truly been so lucky to not only have had some awesome partnerships but to have been able to work with brands (like Quay) who understand my brand integrity, my humor and have really valued my creativity. When a brand and a creator can come together and collaborate while still respecting each other’s creative styles, I think that’s when we see pretty dope campaigns.

From Winston and Willa to your own signature style, what do you think makes your content stand out in such a crowded creator space?  

I don’t actively think about “standing out,” “being different,” or “staying relevant” when I create content. I also don’t focus on having a specific “aesthetic” or fitting into a trendy niche. There are so many incredible content creators I look up to, and the ones who always stand out to me are those who create simply because they love it — because they’re passionate about what they’re doing. I think that’s really all any of us can do. Personally, I try not to fixate on being engaging; I just try to be. However I feel that day is how I show up. Whatever I am that day, I am — and that’s enough. All I can be is myself. And if I’m lucky, people will find my little corner. If I’m really lucky, they’ll stick around and hang out for a while.

Which frame from the Travel Edit feels the most you, and how did you approach designing a collection that fits so many summer moods?

Well, if you know me, you know there are MANY versions of me. Chart Topper is the Christina that wants to make a statement. Vibe Check is the Christina that just wants to be lowkey (and probably wants to people-watch in peace... you need dark lenses to do that obvi). And TEXT ME is the fashion icon, trend-setter Christina. 

What’s your biggest piece of advice for creators looking to turn their online following into real brand opportunities?

Be consistent and stay true to your brand. Find ways to bring “you” (your personality, your approach, your “stamp”) to everything you do. Talk about the things you love organically. Build trust with your followers. And don’t let the “flops” and “failures” discourage you or make you doubt your talent, your worth or your brand. It’s a numbers game at the end of the day. Just keep playing. 

More than just a fashion collab, this drop marks Christina’s official entry into style tastemaker status. As she puts it, sleep might be optional this summer—but sunglasses definitely aren’t.

Now officially stepping into style tastemaker territory, Christina is proving that summer may be fleeting, but good sunglasses are forever. The collection is available now on Quay.com and Amazon.