Category: Our eyewear

Gai Gheradi, co-founder and creative director of l.a. Eyeworks passed away on Sunday 16th March. She was 78.

Gheradi opened her optical boutique in 1979 along with her highschool friend Barbara McReynolds. Having both trained in optics and finding themselves bored in a stagnant, gender-defined industry, they set out to create a revolutionary name in eyewear. Their brand quickly captured the hearts of the punks, rockabillies and new-wavers of Melrose Avenue and beyond. Soon after they had gained a loyal following of creatives and celebrities like David Hockney, Grace Jones and Elton John.

Gheradi and McReynolds transformed the eyewear world forever. They shifted the perspective of eyewear and the optical store and presented it as an artform. They coined the slogan “the face is like a work of art: it deserves a great frame”

l.a. Eyeworks designs have featured in art galleries around the world, including London Design Museum. Their frames are credited in numerous iconic films like Thelma and Louise and The Matrix, and an apocolyptic version of their store itself can be spotted in Bladerunner.

Gai Gheradi was an avid supporter of the arts, often using l.a. Eyeworks’ store windows and even their lens cleaning clothes to showcase the work of rising artists. She used her platform to raise awareness about the issues she believed in. The window displays often featuring thought-provoking messages of culture, gender and politics. Most notable are “Safe Spex” in response to the AIDs crisis, “Uncensored Vision”, “Elect to Think”,  and the Pride-inspired “Wear Them Out”

In an interview with Los Angeles Times she said “We use our windows to talk. The essence of this company is doing those things we believe in. How we life our life, how we conduct our business is our activism”

Gai devoted her time and resources to many great causes such as Planned Parenthood and AIDs-relief organisationss, and was serving as board president of Art Matters when she passed away.

In memory of Gai, we have chosen to raise funds for Curios Arts;  North East-based charity championing the development of LGBTQIA+ arts and artists. We will donate 10% of all l.a. Eyeworks frames sold throughout April.

15 Years of GLCO

Garrett Leight was born in Los Angeles 1984, and was raised in a world of eyewear. After working for his father- the legendary Larry Leight – Garrett set out to make his own mark on the eyewear world.

In 2009 he opened his own optical boutique. Shortly after he began to create his own designs and GLCO was born. The brand is influenced by the classic looks and fashions of California infused with material and stylistic innovations, and a fresh, youthful aesthetic.

In 2010 he travelled across Europe to showcase his creations in person. Garrett had one mission: to open accounts with the best optical stores in the world.

We’re proud to have partnered with GLCO since the very start. Their commitment to effortless wearable style never falters. There’s a reason why Garrett’s frames are so popular.

This year, GLCO is celebrating its 15th anniversary with some special edition frames.

Firstly, he has made some updates to the Forever Classics series. The Forever Classics are those frames that everyone should have in their wardrobe. They’re like your perfect tshirt or sneakers. They look great with everything and you love to wear them. For this collection, Garrett has partnered with Japanese craftsman to add finesse with titanium details and nosepads. He’s also reimagined the best-selling Wilson with a thicker acetate rim for a punchier silhouette.

The 15th anniversary series also includes some new pieces, like this shallow tear-drop P.3:

William is available in both optical and sun, and can also be paired with a custom sun clip for added versatility.

GLCO’s new collection is in store now. Click here to arrange your eyewear consultation

A word from Garrett:

“If you are reading this, then I want you to know something. For 15 years the two most important things to me that have never wavered are the products we mak eand your experience with them and us as a company. I’m grateful that you found us and ultimately glasses are just a thing, but I hope they enrich your life and give you the confidence to be the person you want to be. At the very least, I guarantee it will protect your eyes and compliment your style. This is my cheers to fifteen years of doing this, thanks to people like you.”