There are eyewear brands, and then there are eyewear brands — the ones with a story deep enough to wear on your face. Garrett Leight California Optical is firmly in the second category.
Born in Venice Beach and built on a legacy that runs generations deep, GLCO has quietly become one of the most coveted names in independent luxury eyewear. At City Optix, we carry brands that stand for something. Garrett Leight stands for California soul, extraordinary craftsmanship, and a timeless point of view that never chases trends — it sets them.
The Family Behind the Frames
To understand Garrett Leight, you need to know the name behind it. Garrett’s father, Larry Leight, founded Oliver Peoples in 1986 — a brand that single-handedly redefined luxury eyewear in America and built a cult following that endures to this day.
In 2010, Garrett took everything he absorbed growing up at the intersection of fashion, craftsmanship, and California culture and launched GLCO. He opened his first boutique on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice — arguably the most culturally electric stretch of street on the West Coast — and never looked back.
This isn’t a brand that hired a designer and stamped a logo on acetate. This is eyewear made by someone who has been breathing it his entire life.
What Makes GLCO Different
Craftsmanship Without Compromise
Every GLCO frame is handcrafted using exclusive, premium-grade acetates sourced from the world’s top acetate houses — suppliers with centuries of combined heritage. Before a single frame reaches a customer, Garrett Leight spends years refining the manufacturing process with partner factories, obsessing over every hinge, every temple, every curve of the bridge.
The result is a frame that doesn’t just look exceptional — it feels exceptional. There’s a weight and warmth to GLCO frames that mass-produced eyewear simply cannot replicate.
A California Aesthetic That Travels Well
GLCO’s design language is unmistakably Californian — sun-bleached palettes, relaxed silhouettes, a certain effortless cool that reads just as well in a San Francisco fog as it does on the Santa Monica boardwalk. The brand draws from Venice Beach’s surf culture, LA’s arts scene, and the broader California ethos of laid-back sophistication.
At City Optix, we’ve always believed that the best eyewear doesn’t announce itself. It simply becomes part of who you are. GLCO frames do exactly that.
The VC/CA 90291 Stamp
Every authentic GLCO frame carries a small but meaningful detail: the VC/CA 90291 stamp — the zip code of Venice, California. It’s a quiet declaration of origin and pride in craft. When you put on a pair of Garrett Leight frames, you’re wearing a piece of Los Angeles.
Iconic Styles to Know
The Kinney — Named after Abbot Kinney, the street where it all began. A round, vintage-inspired frame that has become one of GLCO’s most recognizable silhouettes. Effortlessly flattering across face shapes.
The Clune — A slightly retro, keyhole-bridge optical frame with a decidedly downtown sensibility. Understated and deeply wearable.
The Wilson — A rounded square shape that balances structure with softness. A favorite for those who want presence without weight.
Mr. Leight Line — In 2018, GLCO elevated its luxury positioning further by launching Mr. Leight in collaboration with father Larry — a higher-end, ultra-refined collection that represents the pinnacle of what the Leight family can produce.
Why City Optix Carries Garrett Leight
We’ve been on Chestnut Street since 1986 — the same year Larry Leight launched Oliver Peoples. There’s a poetic symmetry there that isn’t lost on us.
City Optix was founded on the belief that eyewear should be sourced from makers who care deeply about what they’re creating. We travel the world to find brands that most boutiques will never carry. Garrett Leight represents exactly what we look for: an independent brand with an uncompromising point of view, genuine craftsmanship, and the kind of staying power that comes from building something real.
When you visit us in the Marina District, our opticians will help you find the GLCO silhouette that’s right for your face, your prescription, and your life. That’s the City Optix difference — we don’t just sell frames, we fit them.
Browse our full collection of designer brands, including Garrett Leight, on our Brands page.
Come Try Them On
Ready to experience Garrett Leight for yourself? Explore our full lineup of designer brands — then come see them in person.
City Optix
2154 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Mon–Sat: 10am–6pm
📞 (415) 921-1444
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City Optix has served the Marina District since 1986. Designated a San Francisco Legacy Business, we specialize in hard-to-find designer frames sourced from Europe and America — curated by people who love eyewear as much as you do.