our collections

Native Sons is a new luxury eyewear and accessories brand headed by Tommy O'Gara, former president/director of DITA Asia, and Shinsuke Takizawa, creator of NEIGHBORHOOD. The brand is named for the native sons who returned from the World War and kick started the "Industrial Design Revolution" with both avant-garde and utilitarian designs that are still admired today. With this in mind, the brand focuses on creating "Future Vintage" products that will last a lifetime. Handcrafted at theLIGHT Co. Ltd., the in house factory owned by Tommy, ensures that nothing is lost in translation from design to final product. Only the best materials are utilized with the revival of old world manufacturing methods incorporated by Native Sons. All acetate frames are cellulose based and feature a signature star-nut hinge configuration, while the metal frames are created with high-grade titanium; all frames feature antique plating and hand finished details.

Originally a three-way collaboration between Native Sons founder Tommy O'Gara, the Pittion family, and guitarist John Mayer. Max Pittion was a project that saw Tommy re-imagining classic French "Max Pittion" frames in his Made in the Light studio in Sabae Japan, with a little bit of his trademark flair. 

 The Max Pittion project has since disbanded ( though there is some shared DNA with Tommy's new project "Sauvage"). We are proud to have some of the last dead-stock pieces available. When they are gone, they are gone.

South Korean street-wear. Handmade in Sabae Japan. Bright colors. Perfect ergonomics. Incredibly rare. Whats not to like?

"Drain your pocket money" -Sejin (Highcollar founder)

Experiments in Expression Since 1967

Innovation and experimentation have been a part of Matsuda’s DNA since Mitsuhiro Matsuda founded his fashion house in Tokyo over 50 years ago. Recognized as being one of the first designers to meld architecture with fashion, it was his ready-to-wear and eyewear creations that truly captured the attention of the world in the 1980s. His campaigns were celebrated collaborations with renowned artists, such as Nan Goldin, Jan Saudek, Juergen Teller and Bruce Weber, cementing Matsuda’s reputation as an innovator and creator of art-as-fashion. This tradition remains the cornerstone of everything they do today.

Avant-garde silhouettes, tiny workshop, small batch, rare, evasive, Victorian meets futurism.

Rigards is a rare  one of a kind workshop / design house based out of Hong Kong. Each frame is made by an individual craftsman. All come from the minds of two brothers, both named Ti.

Frames are made out of a cornucopia of natural materials, such as wood, copper and ethically-sourced horn, demonstrating a rare mastery of mixed materials

Tejesta is a design-centric eyewear and accessories brand based in Miami, Florida, whose inspiration is global. 
Current and future micro-batch collections enable consumers to become immersed in the narratives of people, places, and times past; paying homage to the Tequesta Native American tribe that once populated Miami’s Biscayne Bay. Their presence dating as far back as the Third Century BCE. Known for their silversmithing and elaborate textile weaving, the creative skill of the Tequesta people (along with other Native American tribes) constitutes a primary source of aesthetic inspiration.

Committed to honoring our influences, while complementing the appearance of those who wear our frames, Tejesta combines artisanal craftsmanship with meticulous designs to deliver high-end products accessible to all.

Jean Philippe Joly is a design powerhouse as well as a close friend of Soma Optical. Everything about the man is cool, hes young, hes french, and he carries a quiet confidence. Besides hitting the occasional optical show with his daughter, hes a one man band. Somehow he also finds time to operate his own optical in Tel Aviv.

Jean Philippe Jolys designs are dramatic, classic french silhouettes , with a contemporary, bold twist. His color palettes are sophisticated and playful. The construction is to die for. Most frames are made in a small factory in Italy, a couple are made in a small factory in France. These are robust frames that will last for many many years.  

To sum this little blurb up, Jean Philippe Joly; cool / good guy, great designer, the embodiment of independent optical.