kearny

Celluloid eyewear, renowned for its rich depth of color and its ability to develop character and comfort over time, was the dominant choice for eyeglass frames until the mid-20th century. However, due to its unsuitability for mass production, the labor-intensive craftsmanship required, and its flammable nature, the techniques associated with celluloid manufacturing have gradually declined over time. Concerned by the disappearance of this important heritage, the eyewear brand kearny was established in 2013.

Designer Fujiki Kumagai named the brand after Kearny Street in San Francisco, where he once lived while working as a vintage clothing buyer. For him, the location symbolized a crossroads of history and culture. Driven by a desire to preserve the craftsmanship that once defined an era of eyewear production, every pair of kearny glasses incorporates celluloid components. Drawing inspiration from iconic designs of past decades, the brand remains dedicated to meticulous craftsmanship, blending historical influences with the experiences and sensibilities Kumagai has cultivated through years of seeing, collecting, and handling vintage objects.