Every week, I meet parents at my optometry practice that say things like, "My child is six years old. When should I bring them in for an eye exam?" and every time I hear this I think to myself, "How? How has our healthcare system failed to inform parents about the importance of infant eye examinations?"

Compelled by that question, Sareya has used her knowledge of visual perception to design clothing that attracts attention, creates conversation and spreads awareness about childhood eye cancer. As both an optometrist and a designer, Sareya carefully considers colour, contrast, refraction and reflection when selecting the beads for her collection to create the most impact.

As an Indo-Canadian woman, Sareya was inspired by the Indian tradition of beading, so she partnered with a third-generation family-owned manufacturer. This family and the garment workers they employ are trained in a beading technique that has been mastered over centuries by people from the region of Uttar Pradesh. Each piece in the collection is beaded, embroidered and sewn by hand on organic cotton and silk.