l.a.eyeworks

l.a.Eyeworks’ Limited Edition for Art Matters’ Gai Gherardi Fellowship

13th July 2026

The popular round Button frame has been released in a distinctive yellow tone – in a small batch of just 100 pieces

A limited-edition colourway of the Button frame has been released for summer, with proceeds benefiting the Gai Gherardi Fellowship, established by the New York–based nonprofit foundation Art Matters to support the work of groundbreaking artists. The special edition is produced in a limited run of 100 individually numbered frames in the custom “Yellow” hue. Both the frame and its signature colourway were developed by l.a.Eyeworks co-founder and designer Gai Gherardi prior to her untimely passing in 2025.

Art Matters established the Gai Gherardi Fellowship to honour Gherardi’s more than three decades of service to the foundation’s board and her devotion to supporting artists. “Gai’s generosity to Art Matters was simply incredible,” notes Abbey Williams, Director of Art Matters, “and this initiative by l.a.Eyeworks is vital to carrying forward her visionary legacy through this fellowship.”

“We are so touched by Art Matters’ creation of the Gai Gherardi Fellowship.” adds l.a.Eyeworks Director of Communications Brent Zerger. “It perfectly reflects the importance of l.a.Eyeworks’ ever-evolving history of exhibitions, commissions and collaborations with artists since its founding by Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds in 1979.” Above: the special edition of the Button frame accompanied by Huntley Muir x l.a.Eyeworks’ case and cleaning cloth

SILMO Paris - The Optical Fair. 25th - 28th September 2026

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

The limited-edition frame is crafted from pure titanium in Japan and features custom temple tips in yellow optical acetate – a signature colour that was dear to l.a.Eyeworks’ designer, Gai Gherardi. Each of the 100 individually numbered frames is accompanied by a protective hard case and lens cleaning cloth, both designed by the artist duo Huntley Muir (see more on this collaboration at https://www.eyestylist.com/2026/04/l-a-eyeworks-reveal-cases-and-cloths-in-latest-collaboration-with-huntley-muir/).

The Button frame is now available via l.a.Eyeworks’ wholesale network of independent opticians and boutiques worldwide, as well as its namesake retail location in Los Angeles while supplies last. Find out more at https://www.laeyeworks.com

Design + Inspiration

l.a.Eyeworks reveal cases + cloths in latest collab with Huntley Muir

2nd April 2026

l.a.Eyeworks showed the newly commissioned designs at LOFT in New York. The release includes four protective hard cases and four microfibre cleaning cloths which complement their eyewear collection for 2026.

The cases and cloths have been created by the British-based collaborative duo Huntley Muir (Su Huntley and Donna Muir), comprising a new chapter in a creative partnership with l.a.eyeworks which spans decades. The artists started working with Gai Gherardi in 1980, during the eyewear company’s first year of business. l.a.Eyeworks was a trailblazer at the time for the introduction of art into eyewear accessory design and brand imagery.

One of the cloths from a previous collaboration edition featured on Eyestylist.com in August 2017 as part of a feature about the design of eyewear accessories at the time (https://www.eyestylist.com/2017/08/eyewear-accessories-fashion-function/).

“What we have created for l.a.Eyeworks is a deliberate conversation with Gai and a tribute to her while also answering the brief to bridge into the future…” Su Huntley on the new designs

One of the cloths has been named “Insect Paths”. The theme of the natural world and insect movement is explored “with expressive, human mark-making”. Another cloth and case is inspired by “Rhythm” – ongoing work by the artists made while listening to music. A “Minnie Mouse” character appears again in the new Edition, a motif that has been a recurring symbol for more than 10 years. Other striking motifs include a bold stiletto shoe and a frog, a creature that Gai was particularly fond of.

A previous highlight of the close collaboration, Su Huntley and Donna Muir also created a video called “Walk with l.a.Eyeworks” for l.a.Eyeworks’ 2007 Fashion L.A. Awards nomination in marketing excellence – see the video at https://www.laeyeworks.com/artist-projects-huntley-muir.

Find our more about the new collection at www.laeyeworks.com. Read more about the artists at https://www.huntleymuir.co.uk

Boutiques

l.a. Eyeworks: an impressive new retail ‘campus’ has opened in Los Angeles

13th October 2025

The new flagship is located at 900 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles

Comprising two buildings connected by a pergola-covered walkway, the retail campus is set on a corner property that includes on-site parking for customers. “We needed room for the expanding width of our ideas,” notes Director of Communications Brent Zerger. “We refer to it as a campus in the sense of a place to exchange ideas and make discoveries.” In development for nearly two years, the project was designed by Frank Escher and Ravi GuneWardena, principals of L.A.-based Escher GuneWardena Architecture. Above: a striking new home for the iconic eyewear brand, co-founded by Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds – photo above by Caitlin Carny

Interior: l.a.Eyeworks’ new showroom (photo by Josef Jasso)

The largest of the two buildings houses a showroom featuring a comprehensive survey of l.a.Eyeworks design collections for prescription eyewear and sunglasses. An in-house finishing lab for precision lens work and custom tinting is concealed behind a mirrored wall that reflects a commanding display wall and groupings of slender pedestals in the main space. Walls, ceilings, and exteriors throughout the site are swathed in an immersive glaze of platinum silver paint “which adds an otherworldliness to the oozing, bubbly surface treatment that covers interior ceilings and walls”.

l.a.Eyeworks: a new state-of-the-art events space (photo by Josef Jasso)

Nicknamed “The Lens,” the second building – in addition to its function as a flexible event space – offers an evolving selection of unique objects, including hand-carved bird calls from France, high-tech “smart” telescopes, vintage one-off selections from the l.a.Eyeworks archives, and special collaborative projects with local design and retail entities.

Since opening its original store on Melrose Avenue in 1979, l.a.Eyeworks has established a notable history of creating innovative architectural spaces, including its second store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa (Josh Schweitzer, designer, 1988), and the award-winning showroom on Beverly Boulevard (Neil M. Denari, architect, 2002). “The genesis of l.a.Eyeworks’ pioneering legacy is deeply rooted in independent retail,” notes Rob Rich, CEO. “The Fairfax campus is our opportunity to build upon the entrepreneurial impulse of Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds to open a shop on Melrose Avenue more than four decades ago.”

900 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California. www.laeyeworks.com

Photography by kind permission of l.a.Eyeworks.

Design + Inspiration

Eyewear accessories: fashion & function

22nd August 2017

Creative eyewear accessories – chains, cases and cleaning cloths – bring flair, as well as practical care, to looking after your glasses

Striking chains are the raison être at Frame Chain in London. Designers Annie and Vanessa create stunning chains that are trendy, supremely stylish, and crafted in beautiful materials. Drop Pearl (above) features a brass chain plated with 24 Caret gold, and is hand strung with luscious fresh water pearls…the tiny jewel a must-have this autumn. When not in use for eyewear, the chain is a chic necklace. www.framechain.co.uk

“Night Office” lens cloth by Kirk and Kirk

Lens cloths have come into their own with stylish, intriguing designs to clean your glasses. “Night Office” by Kirk & Kirk portrays an artistic ambience in vivid colours. www.kirkandkirk.com

A teenage adventure trip to London was inspiration for Austrian designer Mona Moore, when she discovered “a shop that was a little wonderland, with all kinds of beautiful beads in rare, unusual colours. I wanted to take everything with me. The beads are great quality, as they never lost colour over all these years.” Style BR5 unites pink and crystal beads in various sizes. Explore more at www.monamoore.at

SALT. Optics celebrates the sea in their eyewear cloth

Nature and the preservation of the planet is the core of SALT. Optics philosophy. Their new cleaning cloths reflect this with beautiful renditions of nature’s beauty and bounty. The sea scene is featured here – discover additional images highlighting nature from the California brand at www.saltoptics.com

Limited Edition eyeglass cases by Kirk and Kirk

Colour is always a special highlight at Kirk & Kirk with unique impact in their eyewear designs. The same principle applies to their sleek eyeglass cases – Limited Edition designs in powerful colourations – and easy to find in a tote or computer bag. www.kirkandkirk.com

l.a. Eyeworks: signature cloth by Huntley Muir

In l.a. Eyeworks’ signature series of artist-designed cleaning cloths, visual innovators – artists, illustrators, graphic designers – are commissioned to explore the cleaning cloth as a space for art- making. The latest design is from London-based artist duo Huntley Muir (Su Huntley and Donna Muir) who experiment across an impressive spectrum of mediums. Their groundbreaking and deeply influential style depicts an ecstatic world of fleeting fragments from the urban landscape, free-wheeling wordplay, radical shifts in scale, and a visual wit laced with anarchy. www.laeyeworks.com JG