$5.00 per wear · worn 30 times
The more you wear it, the lower it gets.
From the brand’s own pages, read October 5
Say what you think, then see how everyone else read it.
The l.a. Eyeworks Metro captures the bold, artistic character of 1990s eyewear design. Its rounded silhouette features softly curved lenses, a gently sculpted brow, and substantial outer corners, creating a distinctive profile with a strong architectural presence. The black acetate frame is covered in an intricate linear pattern of alternating dark and lighter-toned stripes, giving the surface a textured, almost graphic appearance. Frame Model: Metro (673) Decade: 1990s Country of Origin: Japan Lenses: Empty, ready for custom Condition: Excellent vintage Measurements: 49-22-140 Historical Context Founded in Los Angeles in 1979 by lifelong friends Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gherardi, l.a.Eyeworks redefined what eyewear could be. At a time when glasses were largely treated as medical devices, the duo championed them as wearable art—bold expressions of individuality rather than something to hide behind. Their philosophy, "A face is like a work of art. It deserves a great frame," became one of the most iconic statements in optical history. Instantly recognizable for sculptural silhouettes, fearless color palettes, and unconventional proportions, l.a.Eyeworks helped establish Los Angeles as a global center for independent eyewear design. Every frame begins as a hand-drawn sketch before being meticulously handcrafted in Japan or Italy, balancing artistic experimentation with exceptional craftsmanship. More than four decades later, the brand remains one of the most influential independent eyewear houses in the world, inspiring generations of designers to see glasses not as accessories, but as a celebration of identity.
