Eyewear scion Garrett Leight didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps initially. He was more interested in pursuing journalism or music. Both would later influence his brand’s aesthetic. After graduation, his dad and founder of Oliver Peoples, Larry Leight, convinced him to come work with him temporarily. Though Garrett had never intended on making the move permanent, he found that he loved the business and yearned to bring his own vision to life.
He started out by opening his own store in Venice Beach in 2009. He built a name for himself there with other creatives who inspired him with their unique backgrounds and styles. These people helped to shape the vision behind the first Garrett Leight collection, which launched in 2011.
Garrett Leight Eyewear
Although the materials used in Garrett Leight glasses come from all over—Japan, Italy and Germany—they are mostly manufactured in China. Even though this tends to be a sore point for many Americans, Garrett has always leaned in to this aspect of the brand’s story. He stands by the quality of his product and says that his experience working with his dad taught him you can only make glasses “the right way or the wrong way.” He’s learned how to maintain the high quality of his product, while still retaining the best, possible price point for himself and the customer.
Garrett believes that storytelling is an essential part of building any brand. His past in journalism and music inform his approach to how he conveys that story. The brand’s website features a blog written by Garrett himself, in which he delves into style, art, food, etc. He also curates a monthly mixtape and provides a sneak peek at different issues of Spectacle, the magazine that the brand releases bi-annually.
As one of the “ambassadors of California” Garrett Leight aims to showcase Cali’s effortlessly stylish and laid-back vibe using traditional styles with elevated design and craftsmanship. With this brand, Garrett hopes to do more than just sell eyewear—he wants to create an experience. We are proud to bring his vision and amazing eyewear to Memphis. Stop by Eclectic Eye today to experience this West Coast aesthetic for yourself or check out some of our other great brands.
