Nestled in the bustling shopping district of NW Galveston, Skye Design offers fresh and modern styles that reflect owner Malia Mathis’s deep passion for interior design and her creative vision. The boutique offers high quality luxury furnishings, stylish home décor, fine textiles and a unique collection of original jewelry that double as reading glasses – each piece designed by Mathis herself.
The company within a company, Moderne Monocle, is a further reflection of Mathis’s keen eye for design. Each monocle or magnifier is a chic, beautifully crafted piece of jewelry that adds a touch of elegance to both daytime looks and dressy evening outfits. Each piece not only compliments outfits, but they’re also easily accessible without having to search a purse or bag for those elusive reading glasses!
Inspiration and Ideas
It began with a day at the pool when Mathis was looking for her reading glasses. Frustrated, she glanced at her pendant necklace and wished that it could help her see. Thus, the idea for Moderne Monocle was born. These monocles aren’t meant to fully replace reading glasses. Instead, they blend stylish necklace chains of varying lengths with a beautifully shaped magnifier that can help with up close reading, whether it’s small print books, menus, mail and more.
“At its core, it was about more than just solving a problem—it was about creating something beautiful, purposeful, and elevating the everyday,” says Mathis.
As a busy mom, Mathis needed something that made her everyday life a little easier, something practical that could help her see clearly without constantly reaching for her reading glasses. She didn’t want to give up feeling stylish or wearing something beautiful and she wanted a piece that worked hard and looked good, something that felt like her. Mathis has crafted a wide variety of pieces to choose from. With styles that complement casual office wear, business meetings or vacations, each unique magnifier is designed to keep up with busy lives.
“Moderne Monocle reflects our belief that practical solutions don’t have to sacrifice style. Inspired by a passion for design, fashion, and clever functionality, each monocle is created to help you see the little things without losing sight of your personal style,” Mathis explains.
Passion for Design
Mathis forayed into fashion where the form and function of it had always fascinated her. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Mathis had always been drawn to creating something that solves a problem in a stylish way. “The creation of Moderne Monocle was a natural extension of my lifelong passion for design, creativity, and finding beauty in everyday living. Whether I was flipping homes, designing interiors, or curating personal style, I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of form and function—where thoughtful design meets real life,” Mathis states.
Whether it’s one if her monocle designs or home décor at Skye Designs, each piece is curated with style, precision and a careful eye for detail. Mathis’s philosophy is that women and busy moms should move through their day with confidence, clarity and style – in their own terms. “Whether you're juggling work, family, or just trying to read a dinner menu in low light, you deserve something that helps you feel empowered, polished, and authentically yourself,” emphasizes Mathis.
ModMonocle.com
“Moderne Monocle is about living beautifully, practically, and unapologetically.”
—Malia Mathis, Owner and Creator of Moderne Monocle