What does it mean to be a truly independent eyewear company? To create the best glasses & sunglasses in the world takes determination, focus and a lot of luck. To do it as an independent designer and label also takes a little bit of crazy. Today, we share three stories from some of our favorite independent eyewear friends and partners. 

What Does It Take To Be an Independent Eyewear Leader?

Passion

A mere idea among friends, that was the beginning of Andy Wolf eyewear.

Born in 2006, the vision was to keep local, traditional eyewear crafts alive in their hometown of Hartberg, Austria as well as introduce a new contemporary style perspective to the industry

Today, the Andy Wolf team collectively drafts, designs and even manufacturers with enthusiasm until a piece of Andy Wolf eyewear is perfect – in terms of its fit, material and style. Each piece of eyewear is handmade, and all the materials are the best of their kind.

Now available in 69 countries, Andy Wolf is truly an independent eyewear company built on passion.

Creativity

L.a. Eyeworks is known for creative design and uncensored vision was born on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California in 1979. Founders Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gherardi challenged the prevailing norms of eyewear with proposals for a new, provocative revelation of the face.

More than four decades and hundreds of frame designs later, l.a.Eyeworks remains a privately owned house of optical imagination. Believing it was time to open up a new kind of conversation about glasses, McReynolds and Gherardi launched l.a.Eyeworks with a mission to encourage people to stop looking and to start seeing.

Know-How

Born off the coast of California in 2006, SALT. optics is known for beautiful eyewear and a passion for the ocean and California lifestyle.

After a career as a sponsored professional surfer, founder David Rose spent years learning the skills and art of luxury eyewear design from legendary designers at Oliver Peoples.

This dedication to learning the craft has paid off. SALT is one of the most iconic and celebrated independent eyewear companies today.