An industrial-style retail space with black walls and wooden flooring. There is a black table with six black chairs, and a white box on the table. In the background, glass display cases with sunglasses and accessories are visible, with colorful artwork on the wall behind them. A window shows a sign that reads 'sight unseen OPTICS' and 'POPUP'. A black counter with a green iMac and black stools is to the right.

Our Story

Sight Unseen Optics was created to reveal what others overlook. More than just another eyewear store, we are a pop-up boutique on Calgary’s 17th Avenue, designed as an introduction to our vision and community. With decades of experience at Calgary’s most recognized optical institutions, our founders bring expertise in both independent eyewear and personalized service. The pop-up is our first step toward establishing a permanent home in Mission, and it’s where you can experience our curated collection of independent, visionary brands—frames chosen for individuality, artistry, and refinement. This is where Calgary discovers the unseen.

  • Smiling older man wearing glasses and a white short-sleeve shirt in a modern, industrial-style office or showroom with display cases and a table.

    GARRY HAPTON

    FOUNDER | “The Brains”

    Garry Hapton is a true optical pioneer in Calgary. As founder of Brass Monocle (since 1980), he has spent decades bringing bold, visionary eyewear to the city—frames that aren’t just functional, but statements. He’s built a reputation on curating the extraordinary, matching superior craftsmanship with thoughtful service. For Garry, eyewear is where form meets precision, where every design reveals what others overlook.

  • A woman with long blonde hair wearing glasses, a black turtleneck, and a brown blazer, examining glasses in an eyewear store.

    CARLA TALBOT

    FOUNDER | “The Heart”

    Carla is the warm soul behind every Sight Unseen experience. With years at Brass Monocle, she became known for her exceptional customer service and her ability to build lasting relationships with clients. She listens deeply, cares for every detail, and ensures guests feel comfortable and confident in their eyewear choices. At Sight Unseen, Carla brings that same nurturing approach, guiding first-time buyers and longtime eyewear lovers alike toward frames that inspire trust, joy, and personal expression.

  • A man with a mohawk hairstyle, glasses, and tattoos on both arms adjusting his glasses in a modern indoor space with display cases and artwork in the background.

    LAV DASKAL

    FOUNDER | “The Style”

    Lav brings calm, intentional energy to the brand. His years at Brass Monocle and Chinook Optical sharpened his eye for detail and his understanding of elevated service. Known for his cool, collected style and his focus on curated experiences, Lav ensures every interaction feels personal and refined. At Sight Unseen, he translates that expertise into a boutique environment where eyewear isn’t just about looking good—it’s about being seen, understood, and styled with intention.

Sight Unseen Optics

Three people, two men and a woman, are posing together indoors. The woman in front is smiling broadly, raising her arms and wearing a brown coat and glasses. The man in the middle has gray hair, glasses, and is wearing a white shirt, smiling. The man on the right has a beard, glasses, tattoos visible on his hand, and is wearing a black shirt with necklaces. They are standing in front of a dark-colored wall with modern artwork and display cases.

Sight Unseen Optics was created by three of Calgary’s most experienced optical professionals — Garry Hapton, Carla Talbot, and Lav Daskal — whose combined history spans decades at respected eyewear institutions such as Brass Monocle and Chinook Optical. Together, they represent the next chapter in Calgary’s optical story: a boutique built on independence, vision, and elevated service.

Garry Hapton is widely recognized as a pioneer in Calgary’s optical scene, with decades of experience introducing the city to some of the world’s most distinctive eyewear. As a founding force behind Brass Monocle, Garry helped shape a culture of independent, fashion-forward eyewear in Calgary long before boutique optics were mainstream. His career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, detail, and the belief that eyewear is both a technical science and an artistic expression.

At Sight Unseen Optics, the team brings that legacy of innovation into a new era. Known for their ability to curate collections that balance precision with personality, they continues to elevate Calgary’s eyewear landscape by championing independent, visionary brands. With expertise spanning not only frame design and styling but also the technical mastery of lenses, fittings, and the complete optical experience.

For longtime clients searching for the trusted guidance they once found in Calgary—Garry, Lav and Carla, remain familiar and respected names. For those discovering The Sight Unseen Optics team for the first time, they represents a new standard of curated eyewear and elevated service—delivered with the authority of the people who has defined Calgary optics for generations.