What is the one keyword that emotionally describes your eyewear?
Nonconformist.
Who is one celebrity you would like to see wearing your glasses?
Mr. Yohji Yamamoto. The man is 70 years old, and still beating the system with his anti-fast fashion approach. He still sources his fabric from old fabric houses in Kyoto, still uses traditional dyeing techniques. I’d like to cultivate that same spirit in my own work.
Where do you take your overall inspiration?
My inspiration boils down to one thing: To take the knowledge and skills I have learnt, and try to do it the best I can.
What were some of the most important milestones after founding the label?
Gaining the support of our amazing stockists and fans is a victory. Being invited to OPTI 2014 was a major highlight. Customizing a pair of eyewear for the iconic Diane Pernet.
How many pieces of eyewear have you created so far?
120? I’ve tossed out half of that because I am hard on myself.
What’s the main attraction of eyewear design to you?
Translating our aesthetic into real life objects is half the fun, even if the road from concept to production is often long and exhausting. The other half is experimenting with new methods, shattering conventions.
What’s the hardest part about designing eyewear?
Time.
Where do you get the inspiration for your creative design work?
I am drawn to aesthetics that are not considered conventionally beautiful.
Which persons have made a lasting impact on you?
Too often we let our setbacks define us, so hats off to people who step outside their comfort zone. Also, my parents, who worked very hard to provide opportunities for us. They are my moral compass.
What separates your label from other eyewear manufactures?
In every country we have visited, people have been telling us they’ve never seen a horn frame like RIGARDS, and we intend to keep it as such.
