As much as we love eyewear, it is more of an extension of our love for design & fashion. Here is a small selection of culture we are inspired by.
Friends of Black Optical - Antoine Harris
Black Optical was founded on the principles of caring for every guest as a friend, And we're happy to say that we've made a lot of friends during all our years of putting frames and lenses on people. So when we get the opportunity to turn the spotlight onto one of our clients, we always take the chance to show why we feel so lucky to work with some of the best people in the world. Antoine Harris is a dear friend of Black Optical with a killer collection of eyewear. We recently sat down with him for another installment...
Best Vacation Frames
Planning a memorable summer trip? make sure you've got picture-perfect frames for the occasion. With COVID rates dropping and many parts of the country returning to a new normal, many are planning a well-deserved summer trip with family and friends. Whether you plan on escaping to the mountains, the beach, or indulging in the best city-life has to offer, Black Optical has you covered with the best options for a frame (and lenses!) that will get you through your summer vacation looking and feeling your best. Below, we've featured a selection of some of our favorite frames depending upon your...
Friends of Black Optical - THEBROSFRESH
Black Optical was founded on the principles of caring for every guest as a friend, And we're happy to say that we've made a lot of friends during all our years of putting frames and lenses on people. So when we get the opportunity to turn the spotlight onto one of our clients, we always take the chance to show why we feel so lucky to work with some of the best people in the world. THEBROSFRESH are dear friends of Black Optical. In addition to their music careers, brothers Thurman and Torrence Thomas have appeared in the pages of...
An ode to summer in Oklahoma
In an ode to summer, a group of four friends spend the day enjoying the rolling plains of the beautiful Oklahoma countryside. Traversing the world-renowned Pawhuska Tallgrass Prairie in an old Chevy truck, they experience a dreamlike environment consumed by waves of tallgrass, fluttering butterflies, and wandering bison. Under the setting sun, the group basks in golden summer light and celebrates their unyielding friendship, youth, and wanderlust.
The story behind Anne et Valentin
We sit down with the brand to learn more about their founding and the heart for creative design and the best quality frames
Friends of Black Optical - Jane Warren
Black Optical was founded on the principles of caring for every guest as a friend, and we're happy to say that we've made a lot of friends during all our years of putting frames and lenses on people. So when we get the opportunity to turn the spotlight onto one of our clients, we always take the chance to show why we feel so lucky to work with some of the best people in the world. Jane Warren is a dear friend of Black Optical. She's appeared in some of our photos in the past, but we wanted to showcase...
ERIN WASSON X VADA INTERVIEW
VADA was born as an extension of Katie Caplener’s jewelry brand founded in Austin, Texas. After Alexis Sepkovic came onboard, the pair began to design and release small batch eyewear. The pair joined us for an exclusive look at their collaboration with Erin Wasson.
A conversation with Akoni designer Jeff Solorio
We sit down with the designer of former Dita fame to discuss his newest labor of love - Akoni. Solorio also provides his thoughts on luxury eyewear, sustainability in design, and why Japanese manufacturing is simply the best for frames.
Lockdown Sound
Now launching a new series of guest curated music playlists by eyewear creatives. Listen now.
YOUR 2020 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Holiday shopping is hard. Fortunately, Black Optical has you covered.
Shop our 2020 Holiday gift guide now.
We Won't Turn A Blind Eye to Racism & Injustice
We Won't Turn A Blind Eye to Racism & Injustice.
Black Optical stands in solidarity with the Black Community. Inclusion has been a core tenant of our business since opening in 2007 and now more than ever we remain committed to supporting the people and communities we serve especially our black community members, customers and friends.
STRONGER TOGETHER
Ways to shop, even during social distancing.
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Read a message from our Founder, Gary Black.
BLACK X BARRETT COLLECTION
Black x Barrett is back with four new optical frames for every personality. Whether you like your eyewear sleek and clean or fun and funky, we have the perfect pair for you.
DOES BLACK OPTICAL HAVE YOUR VOTE?
Black Optical was selected as a finalist for the Vision Expo OPTImum Retail Award. This award celebrates independent retailers and allows them to showcase their products, stores, visions, and stories to the optical industry.Â
AS SEEN IN: NO TIME TO DIE
The limited-edition 007 collection, soon to be seen in NO TIME TO DIE. With a name synonymous with action, romance, and quintessential style, BARTON PERREIRA’s collaboration with 007 is a natural fit.
Available at BLACK OPTICAL.
Available at BLACK OPTICAL.
JACQUES MARIE MAGE + BLACK OPTICAL COLLABORATION
Embracing the legend of the wild wild west, we have collaborated with Jacques Marie Mage on the second generation of the American Bison leather frames.
KREWE ACTIVE - WHATEVER MOVES YOU
"You shouldn’t have to sacrifice fashion or technology with active eyewear...
"Whether you’re going for a run or enjoying a day outside in the sun, KREWE ACTIVE sunglasses are designed with the same modern style that people love and expect from KREWE, all with a sport-ready construction and active-focused features, making them lighter with more grip and durable enough for any activity."
-Stirling Barrett, founder/creative director KREWE EYEWEAR
MYKITA SUMMER 2019 - REMEMBER LOVE
PHOTOGRAPHY & ART DIRECTION-Â Mark Borthwick
WORDS & EYEGLASSES - Mykita
"Remember a place of just being. Remember passion. Remember joy. Remember beauty, thought and pleasure. Remember love".
IN THE PRESS - NY POST ALEXA MEN'S ISSUE
Spotted in the press, Selma star David Oyelowo wears the BLACK + BARRETT for KREWE TULSA.Â
Photographed by Kurt Iswarienko for NY POST ALEXA MEN'S FASHION ISSUE
CHIC WAVE - PATRON MAGAZINE - MAY 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY by RICHARD KRALL
CREATIVE DIRECTION by ELAINE RAFFEL
STYLING by MOLLY TERRY
TALENT - RACHEL FINNIGER
SUNGLASSES STYLED by BLACK OPTICAL DALLAS
PATRON MAGAZINE - APRIL 2019
"One Morning Spring Awakened and Imagined Itself"
PATRON MAGAZINE - April 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY & ILLUSTRATIONS by GEOF KERN
CREATIVE DIRECTION by ELAINE RAFFEL
SET STYLING by NELLY ADHAM
SUNGLASSES PROVIDED by BLACK OPTICAL
CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE
While fans of Old Celine will always miss Phoebe Philo, Hedi Slimane ushered the collection into a new era for 2019 worthy of your attention. Â The heavy oversized shapes are replaced with slimmer '60s silhouettes, slight wraps, and more discrete branding. Â
ASHER G EYEWEAR CASES
Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest. Asher G leather eyewear cases are designed to protect 2 pairs of your favorite sunglasses/eyeglasses. The case can even double as a clutch to hold your smartphone, cash, cards, & other personal belongings. Each leather case is handmade in Los Angeles USA.
KUBORAUM EXPERINCE
Experince the world of Kuboraum at Black Optical -
Tulsa / Dallas / Oklahoma City.
Kuboraum Eyewear is the creative project founded by Livio Garziottin and Sergio Eusebi. Finding inspiration in organic, concrete, and monumental forms, each pair is hand carved, burned, embelished into a wearble scultpture that resembles Brutalist architecture more than a standard pair of eyeglasses. David Lynch, Oprah, & Lady Gaga, among other notables, are known to be fans of the designers.
BEHIND THE FRAMES - SHANNON SMITH
Those who know us, know that our love of food in on par with our love eyewear. Well, when you combine the 2, magic happens.  Our fellow four-eyed friend Shannon Smith aka Beads and Basil shares her favorite spring recipe, along with a few words about her BLACK OPTICAL experience ....Â
Gary Black and Stirling Barrett for KREWE
Black and Barrett’s unique friendship stemmed from an appreciation for design, culture, and of course – eyewear.
This collaboration of ideas between friends has turned into a full fledged signature collection, complete with an array of mid century frames perfect for any vintage lover.
What's Cooler Than Being Cool
Ice cold
CITIZENS OF TULSA
Gary Black sits down with Paul Paino on Citizens of Tulsa to discuss the story and foundation of Black Optical.
BLACK OPTICAL SOUND SYSTEM JULY 2018
Let's jam! JULY 2018.
BLACK OPTICAL SOUND SYSTEM JUNE 2018
Your monthly playlist. JUNE 2018.
BLACK OPTICAL SOUND SYSTEM
A playlist by us, for you. MAY 2018.
All Eyes on EYEVAN
Only a handful of craftsmen, who are exceptionally skilled, make EYEVAN eyeglasses through about 400 processes.
MYKITA HAUS BERLIN VISIT
A peak inside Mykita Haus Berlin.Â
CRAWFORD CONNAWAY IN BLACK + WHITE
Photography that will make you feel like you are one of their friends.Â
MAURY - OKC EMERGING ARTIST
Spend a few moments with emerging OKC artist, Maury.Â
INVISION MAGAZINE - AMERICA'S FINEST OPTICAL RETAILERS
Leading optical industry magazine InVision chose Black Optical Dallas among the 10 Finest Optical Retailers in America. Gary sat down with the magazine to talk design, philosphy, what it means to be a retailer in the digital age, and why Dallas is the best market for an Oklahoman to expand. Read an except after the jump, read the full interview at Invision Magazine.
Written by Heath Burslem for Invision Magazine. Photos by Max Kutz and Shayna Fontana.
Sabah House Residence
Sabah House in residence at Black Optical Tulsa
Sabahs, an original shoe based on a traditional shoemaking method.
Celebrated for their quality, comfort and unique look, travels the world selling Sabahs, one pair at a time. Black Optial Tulsa is hosting a two day residency with the Dallas, TX based shoe designer.
Shop Sabah - Nov 17/18th 10am-6pm   After Hours Social -  Nov 17th 5-9pmÂ
Sabahs, an original shoe based on a traditional shoemaking method.
Celebrated for their quality, comfort and unique look, travels the world selling Sabahs, one pair at a time. Black Optial Tulsa is hosting a two day residency with the Dallas, TX based shoe designer.
Shop Sabah - Nov 17/18th 10am-6pm   After Hours Social -  Nov 17th 5-9pmÂ
Studio Visit David Rose Salt Optics
Just minutes from the Black Optical showroom in Newport Beach, California, SALT. Optics HQ is tucked away among industrial warehouses and garages. When entering the offices, one is immediately struck by the friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Â SALT., acronym for Sea, Air, Land, Timeless, is committed to creating quality eyewear with an effortless sensibility and a timeless aesthetic.
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MEET DAVID ROSE, SALT. OPTICS HEAD DESIGNER:
Barton Perreira Autumn Winter 2017
The Barton Perreira Autumn/Winter 2017 collection represents the next generation in the brand’s continuously growing evolution.
Trend Report Mustard Sun Lenses
A sunnier look of the world during the grey months ahead.
Sartorialnolift Interview
Ruben Burgess Jr. aka Sartorialnolift is sought out for his line drawings that have gained much attention in Dallas, even displayed in the windows of the high-style retailer Traffic LA. His continuous desire to experience life amongst others is exemplified through his works of art. Ruben’s vision for curated fashion aligns with Black Optical’s curation of hand-selected eyewear with our clients in mind.Â
ADVANCED STYLE
John Galliano said it best, "The joy of dressing is an art".
THE DAILY GRIND
We asked Black Optical Alumni and coffee aficionado, Jason Betz, to teach us how to pour the perfect cup.
New Staple Raw Edges
In a time when eyewear is in need of a reinvention, destructing a frame to its raw, seemingly unfinished elements give a tradition silhouette a well-needed graphic punch.
JULIE HOUTS
Looking for a way to get out of a bad date? She has it covered.
Krewe X Black Optical
Powerhouse eyewear designer, KREWE from New Orleans, opened a pop-up store at Black Optical.
Making Ahlem X Black Optical Collaboration
What goes into a collaboration? It's not just about the frames. Each case is unique in its own right. The handmade construction gives the cases a distinct one-of-a-kind appearance worthy of the impeccable frame construction.
MEET THE ARTIST: KAREN GOINS
We discovered Karen Baba via instagram. The illustrator tells us why she works with markers and explains her infatuation with eyewear.Â
BBQ REVIEW: BURN CO. IN TULSA, OK
If you spend a few moments with the Black Optical team, you’ll soon discover we love food, and believe it’s best when shared among friends, colleagues and loved ones. And, something we can all agree upon is that nothing is more Oklahoman/Texan than BBQ.