Garrett Leight

Growing up as the son of legendary eyewear designer Larry Leight (founder of Oliver Peoples), Garrett Leight spent his childhood surrounded by the world's finest frames. But when he launched his own brand in 2010 from Venice Beach, he wasn't interested in recreating his father's legacy — he wanted to build something that felt like his generation.

Garrett Leight California Optical captures the effortless cool of Southern California without trying too hard. The designs reference classic American eyewear shapes — the round, the aviator, the square — but reinterpret them with modern proportions, unexpected color combinations, and a relaxed confidence that feels distinctly West Coast.

Despite the laid-back aesthetic, the craftsmanship is serious. Every frame is manufactured in Japan using cured cellulose acetate and hand-finished over multiple stages. The lenses are mineral glass or premium CR-39 — materials chosen for optical clarity, not cost savings. It's the kind of quality you'd expect from a family that's been in the eyewear business for decades.

What makes Garrett Leight resonate is authenticity. The brand is rooted in a real community — Venice Beach's creative scene of artists, surfers, and musicians — and that cultural DNA shows in everything from their campaigns to their collaborations. These are frames designed for people who live interesting lives, not just people who want to look like they do.