Quality Makers: Stephon Marbury of Chamelo

If you want to start a business, you should probably have a good idea. If you want to make a business truly successful, you should probably bring in someone who knows what it means to think on their feet, work as a team, and perform under pressure. 

Most of you know Stephon Marbury as a two-time NBA All-Star, who has made a name for himself in the US and abroad, but it’s about time you got to know him as the Chief Brand Officer of Chamelo Eyewear—aka the most revolutionary, innovative line of “smart” eyewear on the market.

We sat down with Marbury to learn more about how he leverages his time as a professional basketball player and passion for high style  to give him a competitive edge in the world of eyewear. You’ll have to read on to get the details, but what we will tell you in the meantime is that these sunglasses ...play music and change color. Ball’s in your court.

TQE: Okay, we have to know: How did a former NBA All-Star get into next-level eyewear?

SM: You know, my journey has always been about pushing boundaries—whether on the court, in business, or fashion. When I came across Chamelo's innovative technology, I knew this was the next game-changing move. It’s not just about creating eyewear; it’s about revolutionizing how we interact with our glasses. The combination of style, functionality, and tech in Chamelo Eyewear aligns perfectly with my vision of blending sports, fashion, and innovation.

TQE: How has playing and coaching professional basketball helped you run such an innovative brand?

SM: Basketball taught me discipline, teamwork, and staying ahead of the game. Being part of the founding team at Chamelo is a lot like being on a basketball team—you need a solid strategy, and everyone has to work together. In basketball, you read the game and adapt on the fly; in business, you need to stay ahead of trends and pivot when needed.

Coaching taught me the value of mentorship and leadership. I work with our team at Chamelo the same way, encouraging creativity and performance. I try to be supportive but also push the team to achieve excellence.

Whether it’s basketball or business, you need to be a team player, have a good strategy, and ensure everyone is aligned toward a common goal. Teamwork makes the dream work!

TQE: I’ve never seen anything like Chamelo before—changing tinted lenses, music speakers in sunglasses. How did the brand come to be? What was the prompt?

SM: There have been many attempts at smart eyewear, but they often lack everyday utility, are too bulky, or miss the mark on style. Chamelo set out to change that by creating eyewear that blends advanced technology with stylish design. We wanted to fill the gap between traditional and smart eyewear, making something that appeals to everyone from athletes to fashionistas to tech-savvy shoppers.

The tint-changing feature is a game-changer. You can switch up your look in less than 0.1 seconds, adjusting your tint to match any occasion, mood, or weather condition. It’s all about giving you the ultimate in flexibility and personal expression.

TQE: Chamelo is an undoubtedly chic-looking eyewear brand. What makes it so unique compared to other eyewear brands out there? 

SM: We’re breaking down the barriers between tech and style. Chamelo is all about combining cutting-edge design with advanced technology. Other brands often stick to specific use cases or outdated styles, but we bring something fresh and versatile. Our glasses offer features like instant tint adjustment and built-in speakers, all while keeping a sleek, modern look. We don’t compromise on appearance or functionality, ensuring our products are stylish and practical for everyday use. Chamelo is for those who want to look good and stay ahead of the game.

TQE: I’ve read a bit about Chamelo’s revolutionary Prismatic™ Color-changing Lenses. How do they work? What is it about these lenses that gives them the ability to transform someone’s mood?

SM: The Prismatic™ Color-changing Lenses are a huge leap forward in eyewear technology. They're the world's first color-changing lenses, letting you switch between four vibrant colors with just a touch on the frame. We've got two options to suit different styles and moods: Calm and Energy.

Calm Lenses offer cool hues like clear, ruby, blue, and purple, which bring a sense of tranquility and relaxation. Energy Lenses feature warm hues like clear, yellow, pink, and orange to boost energy and happiness.

Studies have shown that colors can evoke strong emotional reactions. Bright, warm colors stimulate energy, while cool, subdued colors have a calming effect. With this in mind, Chamelo's lenses are designed to enhance both your visual experience and emotional well-being.

Plus, they look great and are fun to use. You can use the darker shades when you're outside in the sun or switch to one of the lighter colors when you're sitting courtside at a Knicks game. The designer frames look great with any tint, and you can change the tint color to match your outfit. Chamelos are the only glasses that allow you to instantly change the color of your lenses to suit your mood, style, and environment. It’s all about personalization and flexibility! 

TQE: Do the lenses just change color on their own? How does this whole thing work?

SM: It’s all about our proprietary Chamelo® Lens Technology. Our patented lenses leverage flexible liquid crystal film that responds to changes in voltage. 

This advanced tech allows the lenses to change color or tint almost instantly. The liquid crystals realign when voltage is applied, and this realignment adjusts the lens color or tint. You can control this through various methods such as touch controls on the frame, light sensors, or an app. 

Between our different lens options, we can achieve VLT (Visible Light Transmission) percentages from a super dark 4% to an almost transparent 70%. So whether you need the darkest tint for bright sunlight or a lighter tint for indoor use, Chamelo’s lenses have you covered.

TQE: Now we have to talk about the Dusk™ Tint-adjustable Lenses. How do those work differently than the Prismatic™ Color-changing Lenses? 

SM: Dusk™ Tint-adjustable Lenses and Prismatic™ Color-changing Lenses use our liquid crystal technology in unique ways. 

Dusk lenses allow for instant, customizable tint adjustment. They allow you to instantly pick any tint level within the range. They change tint in less than 0.1 seconds—1,800 times faster than photochromic glasses—and maintain a true, neutral black color.

Prismatic lenses, on the other hand, are designed to switch colors. By applying voltage, you can turn specific colors on or off, utilizing two different film colors to achieve four distinct lens colors. For example, our Calm lenses can switch between cool clear, ruby, blue, and purple by activating one or both films. They deliver a truly dynamic and personalized visual experience.

TQE: What is the importance of technologically sound eyewear in this day and age? Like, why do we need more savvy sunglasses?

SM: You need eyewear that keeps up with you. Chamelo’s high-tech sunglasses combine style, comfort, and top-notch functionality. They offer superior UV protection and adapt to changing light conditions instantly, reducing eye strain and improving clarity. Features like instant tint adjustment and color-changing lenses make life easier and more fun. And with built-in audio, you can listen to music or take calls on the go. It’s about blending cutting-edge technology with everyday practicality, making sure you’re always looking good and staying ahead of the game.

TQE: You didn’t think I wasn’t going to mention the Music Shield, did you? I have literally never seen sunglasses with built-in speakers. Tell me everything—what, why, how….

SM: Music Shield was designed for active people—whether you’re into running, working out, or just working outside. I literally wear them every day. They are lightweight, comfortable, and look great. You’ll often see me using the slider to change the tint to exactly the shade I want. Once you get used to having a slider for tint adjustment, it’s hard to go back to regular sunglasses.

And the built-in audio is a game-changer—no need for headphones. Small but powerful speakers are built directly into the frame, so you can listen to music or take calls without anything in or on your ears. They pair with my phone via Bluetooth, and the sound quality is top-notch. Whether I’m running, hitting the gym, or just walking around, I can stay connected and entertained. It’s no surprise they’ve been a bestseller since we launched them.

TQE: How do the Music Shield sunglasses support athletes and fitness enthusiasts? (Feel free to break down the ideal use cases for these bad boys.)

SM: We’ve seen the Music Shield become a favorite with tennis players, cyclists, golfers, CrossFit trainers, runners, and more. They feature a combination of innovative elements that appeal to athletes. The adjustable nose and ear tips ensure they stay securely in place during intense workouts, even when you’re working up a sweat. The open ear audio means you can listen to your favorite music while staying aware of your surroundings—a feature that runners and cyclists particularly appreciate. Tennis players and golfers love the ability to change the tint so they always have the best visibility, regardless of changing light conditions. Music Shield provide the perfect blend of performance, comfort, and functionality.

TQE: It looks like Chamelo has a lot in store for the future. What are some ways you hope to grow and expand the brand?

SM: Since our brand launch, we’ve seen incredible interest from athletes in Music Shield and our Sports Collection. We recently released two new colorways and have several more on the way.

This summer, we’re excited to introduce the Falcon in our Sport Collection. This ultra-lightweight frame leverages a solar cell for automatic tint adjustment, making it perfect for serious athletes that want the most lightweight version of technology.

We’re also unveiling two new frame styles that combine manual and automatic tint control with lightweight arms and frames, setting a new standard for performance sunglasses. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement about these frames in September.

In addition, we’re working on two pairs of ski/snowboard goggles that will be ready this winter, ensuring that our technology meets the needs of winter sports enthusiasts.

We’re continuing to innovate with our Prismatic Line—the world’s first glasses with instant color-changing lenses. After successful limited edition runs this summer, we’ll ramp up mass production for Aura and Euphoria in Q3 this year.

One of the most exciting upcoming launches in our Lifestyle Collection is our new line of prescription tint-adjustable glasses, which we expect to roll out by the end of the year. 

TQE: What are your go-to lenses? Where do you wear them, how do you use them? We have to know.

SM: My go-to lenses are definitely the Music Shield. I wear them for all my workouts, whether I'm running, hitting the gym, or playing sports. They’re lightweight and comfortable, plus the built-in audio is unbeatable. I love being able to adjust the tint on the fly, so I always have the perfect shade for any situation.

When I’m dressing up a bit more, I’ve been rocking the Aura from our Prismatic line. These are stylish and versatile, perfect for a night out or a casual day. The color-changing lenses let me switch up my look instantly, which is always fun. Between the Music Shield for my active days and the Aura for when I want to step up my style, I’m covered for every occasion.

TQE: What else is on the horizon? What do we have to look forward to?

SM: There is lots more to come on the horizon! We just launched new colorways of our best-selling Music Shield including Smoke for a sleek look with a matte black frame and tint-adjustable smoke lenses. Just in time for Paris, we also launched a Red, White and Blue colorway of the Music Shield with a white frame.