These 6 Independent Eyewear Brands Will Enrich Your Fall/Winter 2023 Wardrobe
In a land of quick trends and fast fashion, making sure your wardrobe is set with a timeless pair of frames feels essential. You know, the perfect sunglasses that look good with any outfit, at any event. A real sartorial frame, crafted to last.
Enter indie eyewear. Motivated by small batch production, sustainability and a design-led approach, independent eyewear labels are ideal if you’re looking for originality and innovative quality.
And while we’ll never say no to a pair of Ray-Bans, as eyewear experts we thought we’d shed some light on the more timeless boutique eyewear houses. From smaller labels to more well-known indie names, one thing on this list is certain: they all deliver on quality and style.
Read on and discover the 6 best independent eyewear brands to consider for your closet.
1. Barton Perreira
Years of experience at Oliver Peoples paved the way for Bill Barton and Patty Perreira to start their own eyewear brand in 2007. Notable for its flawless engineering, made-in-Japan craftsmanship and trendless approach, Barton Perreira is an easy favorite among indie lovers and celebrities alike. Don’t forget their exclusive 007 James Bond sunglasses.
2. Cubitts
London-based brand Cubitts brings everything we love about quirky British style to the contemporary world of specs. Mixing vintage curves with modern edges, these frames elevate the everyday look with their spectacular personality.
3. Cutler and Gross
Take two British optometrists with a passion for making functional frames fashionable and you’ll have Cutler and Gross. The brand gained prominence during London’s Swinging Sixties, and it hasn’t slowed down since. Designed in the city’s posh Marylebone area and handcrafted in Italy’s Veneto region, these original frames feature no-logo designs and exclusive colorways.
4. Garrett Leight
Californians love Garrett Leight. Or maybe everyone does. The son of Oliver Peoples’ Larry Leight, Garrett doesn’t waste his eyewear experience when it comes to his namesake brand. These frames are interspersed with a vintage Hollywood feel and sharp details.
5. Mr. Leight
If the last name Leight is starting to sound familiar, it would make sense. The brainchild brand of Larry and Garrett, Mr. Leight makes investment-worthy eyewear with a retro twist.
Collections reference a myriad of influences, from Larry’s time in Hawaii in the ‘60s to glamorous Hollywood afterparties. Each design tells its own story, as do the materials. Silhouettes are handcrafted from Japanese titanium and polished Italian acetates, with many styles featuring impeccable filigree detailing. Only the best from the Leights, of course.
6. Mykita
If you crave a more modern feel, Mykita is for you. Combining high-tech innovation with sleek shapes, this Berlin brand chooses function over frills. Don’t get that confused with boring. Look closer and you’ll see the devil is in the details.
The brand’s experimental vibe extends to its production and materials. Examples include 3D printed frames made from spring steel, their own Mylon material and Renewed Acetate. The label has also created a patented spiral hinge for maximum durability. You’ll have these for a very long time indeed.
