BLAKE KUWAHARA
A Visionary in Contemporary Eyewear Design
First, it is important to recognize Blake Kuwahara as the founder and creative force behind FOCUS GROUP WEST (FGW). This Los Angeles-based design firm is celebrated globally for its holistic approach to branding within the eyewear and fashion realms. Furthermore, he stands out as a true trailblazer in the industry, which led to the successful launch of his distinctive eponymous collection of sunglasses and optical frames in the autumn of 2015.
From Optometry to KATA Eyewear
In addition to his design expertise, he holds a doctorate of optometry from UC Berkeley. Truly, his journey toward global recognition began with the creation of the exclusive KATA Eyewear brand. Because he was the primary mind behind KATA, he managed to revolutionize the industry by ingeniously integrating engineering and production techniques to impart texture. Consequently, this groundbreaking approach left an indelible mark on the landscape of modern eyewear.
Collaborations with High Fashion Houses
Beyond his proprietary brand, Kuwahara has lent his design prowess to a multitude of esteemed fashion houses. For example, major labels like Coach, Converse, Lucky Brand, and Rock & Republic have all collaborated with him on successful eyewear collections. Meanwhile, his creative influence continues to extend deep into the world of luxury high fashion.
Designing Eyewear for Fashion Icons
Specifically, he has crafted custom eyewear for iconic New York-based designers including Carolina Herrera, Isaac Mizrahi, Behnaz Sarafpour, and John Varvatos. In addition to these partnerships, Kuwahara has designed a celebrated collection for the legendary Japanese haute couture designer, Hanae Mori. Ultimately, his diverse portfolio reflects a unique ability to cross over between mainstream fashion and luxury art.
Redefining Design with Innovation and Elegance
According to Kuwahara’s philosophy, our daily choices are deeply shaped by an increasingly visual society. Since smartphones have made us all inadvertent photographers, platforms like Instagram have essentially transformed everyday users into amateur art directors. As a result, this modern shift forms the foundational philosophy behind Blake’s eyewear. Therefore, by blending these contemporary cultural influences with his own life experiences, he creates a meticulously crafted collection.
The Blake’s Grey Label Philosophy
Regarding the unique Grey Label, anatomical influences—particularly skeletal structures—drive the core philosophy of the collection. Indeed, by drawing directly from his background as an optometrist, Kuwahara skillfully incorporates endo-skeletal structures using traditional casting techniques. Consequently, every single frame is handcrafted and hand-cast to showcase intricate joint and bone designs in the end pieces and temples.
Merging Eyewear Artistry with Daily Wearability
On the retail side, this careful focus on touch, feel, and fine workmanship completely sets the brand apart. In fact, the collection beautifully achieves his ultimate goal of creating eyewear that seamlessly blends high art with daily functionality. To conclude, every piece serves as a testament to the idea that design truly matters.
#designmatters
The frames we offer are handmade by some of the best designers around the world who believe we are all individuals and that our eyewear should be celebrated. Most of our frames are limited editions, all are unique, and some are even bespoke – because you are the designer!
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