24 Independent Eyewear Brands
Some shit you’ve never seen before (maybe)
Nearly every physical and online touchpoint for eyewear is controlled by one monopolous brand - Luxxotica. Vertically integrated, they control some 80% of the eyewear industry, stretching from manufacturing, to distribution, to retailing. They own Lenscrafters, Sunglass Hut, Target Optical, and own some of the largest brands in eyewear from Rayban, to Oakley, to Oliver Peoples. And the brands they don’t own, they license: Prada, Burberry, Gucci, Chanel, and more. With over 9100 stores worldwide, it’s more than likely that you or someone in your immediate family has a pair of Luxxotica glasses on right now. With an iron-clad grip on the world of eyewear, many consumers aren’t even aware that independent eyewear brands exist. Where smaller brands lack the ability to market to mass audiences, they make up in their more considered approach to manufacturing and design.
Personally I’ve been making a conscious effort to support independent opticians and eyewear makers over the past decade, and I hope you’ll do the same. Today I’ll list off some of the best independent eyewear brands in the world. There's a wide range of price-points and materials here, hopefully enough to cover everyone. If you're hunting for a deal, be sure to look up these brands on 2nd hand marketplaces and fire off a couple lowballs.
Lunettiq
Montreal based Lunettiq offers a wide range of shapes, colours, and lenses in both sunglasses and optical frames. Their flat rate pricing model is beyond reasonable and lets you choose your favourite frames without having to consider the price.
Native Sons
Founded by Tommy O'Gara and Shinsuke Takizawa (of NEIGHBORHOOD fame), these meticulously crafted Japanese frames are quite serious. The perfect balance of vintage inspiration and subtle contemporary touches.
Jacques Marie Mage
Ultra-limited production runs with only 100-500 pieces per style. We're talking 8-10mm thick premium acetate (way thicker than industry standard), bold sculptural designs, and that signature arrow insignia. These are serious investment pieces that'll have strangers stopping you on the street asking what you're wearing.
Cutler & Gross
British luxury pioneers since 1969 - clean design, impeccable craftsmanship, and just enough quirk to be interesting. Their keyhole bridges and coordinated pins are subtle signatures that are instantly recognizable. Exactly what you’d expect to see on the face of a Cockney eccentric.
E.B. Meyrowitz
The absolute pinnacle of bespoke eyewear dating back to 1875. Their London atelier serves actual royalty, with craftsmen spending 30+ hours on a single frame. They'll use buffalo horn, precious metals, and if you're particularly fancy (and it's legal where you are), genuine turtle shell. These aren't frames, they're heirlooms.
Eyevan
Founded in 1972 but with roots back to 1911, these are quintessentially Japanese: understated excellence. Their production involves numerous meticulous manual processes, with those signature five-barrel hinges and custom temple tips. Their 7285 collection revived some archive designs that are very chic.
lowercase nyc
One of the few American-made brands, producing everything in their Brooklyn workshop. Small-batch production with classic silhouettes and these subtle modern updates that just work.
Drypond
Based out of British Columbia, drypond offers some very reasonable and robust frames in a few fun acetate variations. They’re nice and sturdy, with a hand feel rivalling far more expensive frames.
Andy Wolf
Austrian frames with serious European craftsmanship. They do these bold colors and distinctive shapes that somehow flatter instead of overwhelm. Their "3D design" approach makes even their chunky frames incredibly comfortable to wear all day.