Shady Character Eyewear

In the 1970s in Manhattan, Linda Rae Tepper and Steve M. Abrams started an antique shop called "The Ruby Slippers." They were captivated by the "ARNEL" and "FDR" models, flagship models of "Tart Optical," which they carried as deadstock, and decided to commission "Tart Optical" to manufacture them for them. Their enthusiasm was conveyed, and "Shady Character" was born through the manufacturing of "Tart Optical." As a result, many "Shady Character" frames are inspired by "Tart Optical" frames.

The brand direction, as handled by Tommy O'Gara of Native Sons and Sauvage eyewear of The Light Co. Ltd of Sabae, Japan, who has worked on numerous eyewear designs both domestically and internationally, and  with the creative direction handled by American artist Michael Carney, a dream team has revived the "Shady Character" as so popular in the 70s and 80s of their own ideation. 

Composed of premium Japanese Cellulose Acetate and mounted of hypoallergenic titanium rivetted hinges.