AKILA

AKILA is an independent, Los Angeles-based eyewear brand focused on making handmade, streetwear-inspired, unisex eyewear at what it calls

‘anti-industry pricing‘. Founded in 2018 by Chris Mart—who started in typography and lettering design—the brand carved out a niche by offering high-end artisanal construction without the $500+ luxury markups.

The Design Language & Culture

AKILA is deeply rooted in modern streetwear, music, and art subcultures, allowing it to feel distinct from traditional eyewear heritage brands:

  • Streetwear & Art Collaborations: The brand frequently partners with creative powerhouses, including Brain Dead, Kith, and the Keith Haring Foundation, resulting in bold, experimental shapes and vibrant colour pairings.

  • The Proportion Philosophy: AKILA famously rejects the traditional rule of matching frame shapes to face shapes. Instead, they focus entirely on proportion and scale, organizing and categorizing their catalogue primarily by frame width to match physical fit rather than facial structure.

  • Limited-Run Production: Like premium streetwear brands, AKILA designs everything in LA and produces its silhouettes in limited batches to keep the styles fresh and avoid over-saturation.

Artisanal, Eco-Conscious Materials

Despite its approachable pricing, AKILA uses raw material standards that rival elite luxury houses:

  • Mazzucchelli Cellulose Acetate: Frames are carved from hand-polished, plant-based cellulose acetate (made from wood pulp and cotton fibres), giving them great depth of colour and a premium, substantial weight.

  • Hardware: The acetate blocks are structurally supported with durable, pinned 5-barrel or 7-barrel hinges and internal metal temple cores for adjustable custom fitting.

  • Premium Lenses: Sunglasses are outfitted with Optical Class 1 nylon lenses (including eco-friendly Tritan Renew) that offer complete 100% UVA/UVB protection and crisp clarity.

  • Titanium Line: They also feature a premium line utilizing ultra-lightweight, high-strength optical-grade titanium

Sight Unseen Optics curates Akila.

OUR UNCOMMON COLLECTION