At just 20, Millie Bobby Brown is already a powerhouse in Hollywood, but her ambitions stretch far beyond the screen. In 2019, the British actress, author, and now entrepreneur launched florence by mills, a beauty and fashion brand rooted in self-expression and inclusivity. Named after her greatgrandmother Florence, who continues to inspire Millie, the goal was to create a brand that was as empowering as it was accessible.
“I wanted florence by mills to be the safe place where you can explore your own style and continue to evolve and grow with no judgment or rules,” Millie tells Cosmopolitan Australia.
What began as a passion project quickly transformed into a fully-fledged business venture, with Millie confidently expanding into the world of fashion and accessories. Her latest move, however, may be her most exciting yet—a collaboration with Specsavers to design an exclusive line of eyewear. But don’t get it twisted—this is no ordinary celebrity partnership. Millie made sure the collection offered stylish yet unique accessories that everyone could enjoy, with each frame designed to make people feel comfortable, stylish and effortlessly cool in whatever they choose to wear. She wanted the frames to reflect her brand’s commitment to celebrating individuality, not just serve as a fashion statement.
Related: The Best Glasses For Each Face Shape
"I wanted florence by mills to be the safe place where you can explore your own style and continue to evolve and grow"
“After fashion, glasses felt like the perfect next step for florence by mills,” Millie explains. “I love using eyewear to take my style to the next level and have fun with accessories.” Her passion for personal style and inclusivity shines throughout the collection, which is available exclusively at Specsavers. The range features 12 optical frames, each inspired by the brand’s core values of empowering individuals to express themselves freely. From ocean-inspired curves to bold pops of colour and sleek matte finishes, each pair of frames encourages people to embrace their unique style. “I find that a really cool pair of glasses instantly elevates an outfit,” says Millie.
The eyewear collection offers something for everyone, from bold, statement pieces for the adventurous, to softer, subtle options for those who prefer a minimalist look. “We made sure to have different frames and multiple colours for every style and personality,” Millie adds.
Expanding her beauty and fashion brand into eyewear was the natural next step in growing Millie’s entrepreneurial portfolio. “The florence by mills aesthetic is fun and unique,” Millie says. Working closely with the Specsavers team, she ensured the collection reflects a wide range of styles and colours, allowing people to express their personalities through their eyewear.
“My best tip is that less is really more. I love styling a simple look with one or two statement pieces,” she suggests, reminding us all that eyewear is an essential part of pulling together an outfit.
As both an actress and a businesswoman, Millie envisions florence by mills evolving alongside her audience. She sees her brand not as your typical beauty and fashion line but as one that creates functional pieces that help people to feel confident in their own skin.
“I created florence by mills to be a brand for everyone,” she says. By creating versatile yet chic glasses, she ensures everyone feels empowered, regardless of how they choose to wear them.
Along with running her business, she continues to thrive in the acting world and has even ventured into writing. In September 2023, she released her debut novel, Nineteen Steps, further showcasing her talents beyond the screen. On-screen, she’s been busy too, recently starring as Princess Elodie in Damsel and soon to appear in The Electric State, an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel. Despite the demanding nature of her career, Millie makes it a priority to stay grounded. When she’s not balancing her numerous projects, she knows exactly how to unwind.
“I love being at home on my farm with my loved ones and my animals. It’s my favourite way to switch off,” she says. Earlier this year, she revealed on The Drew Barrymore Show that she owned nine dogs and was fostering 23, showing her deep love for animals.
For Millie, florence by mills is just the beginning. As she continues to expand her brand into new areas, inclusivity and self expression remain the driving force behind her work.
Looking ahead, Millie plans to continue to grow florence by mills while staying true to her vision of creating fun, stylish products that make people feel confident, comfortable, and uniquely themselves. Launching her eyewear collection exclusively at Specsavers marks another milestone. All we can say is, watch this space.
florence by mills eyewear is available exclusively at Specsavers stores nationwide and online here.
Our latest issue is out now!
Subscribe to have future issues delivered to your doorstep.
This article originally appeared in Issue 02 of Cosmopolitan Australia. Get your copy and subscribe to future issues here.
