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Dockers star Tommy Sheridan makes move into fashion with new sunglass label

Belinda CiprianoWestern Suburbs Weekly

A FREMANTLE Football Club player has swapped footy for fashion during the off-season, launching sunglass label RIXX with business partner Coen Rodgers on Wednesday at the Stables Bar.

Tommy Sheridan, who is a North Fremantle resident, first crossed paths with Rodgers when he came over to Perth after he was drafted to Fremantle in 2011, and said working together made sense.

“We wanted to start something together that we both shared an interest in,” Sheridan said.

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“I am interested in a lot of things outside football and fashion is just one of those interests.

“We were looking at several different accessories to design and felt sunglasses was the one for us because they are something we both wear all the time as we live in such a sunny climate and we love that you can project your own style and confidence by the style you choose.”

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Coen, whose family have been involved in small businesses all his life, said going into partnership with Sheridan was a joint decision, with both looking to start something online.

Together the duo has worked on the label for about a year, overseeing every aspect of the design, manufacturing and importing.

“Tommy had interests in setting up a business to transition into when his professional football career is over and we agreed that he would learn more by starting up and running a business instead of completing a commerce degree,” Coen said.

“I have always wanted to run my own small business and we had seen other people in similar situations to us succeed after starting up an online business.

“Together we knew we had the resources, passion and the drive to create our own unique brand so here we are.

“We have designed the SS16/17 collection together and manufactured the sunglasses using the finest quality materials.

“We have six styles and three colours in each style and the entire range is unisex although some styles and colours may naturally be more favourable towards female or men’s tastes.

“Our idea was that partners, friends and family members could buy different pairs and mix them up with each other.”

Keeping the “Freo” flavour running through the label, the pair invited Sheridan’s teammate Lachie Weller to be the face of the brand.

“Lachie and I had become close friends after sharing common interests outside football during 2015,” Sheridan said.

“Towards the end of 2015 when RIXX officially kicked off, Lachie was always there to bounce ideas off and worked really well as a sort of independent judge of our work.

“Earlier this year we moved in together and thought that he and his model girlfriend Nicola Hewitt would be the perfect couple to help launch the brand since they had been involved since the start.”

The label is available online www.rixxeyewear.com.au.