Main frames – Krewe du Optic brings Louisiana flair to designer eyewear

The cell phone reception drops in and out. Between slices of static humming and silence, I faintly hear Stirling Barrett apologizing profusely. “I’m sorry, man. I’m jumping over this boom box.”

The 25-year-old artist and sunglasses designer is the founder and CEO of Krewe du Optic, a growing New Orleans-based brand of specs found in 50 retail locations across the country—including two stores in Baton Rouge.

A photographer by trade, Barrett funded his start-up through art sales and now manages three full-time employees—”Our core team is really tight,” he says—three contract workers and a mobile display case, too. His 50 varieties of sunglasses are manufactured in Italy, but the inspiration is 100% Bayou State.

“There’s a rhythm and ritual to New Orleans,” Barrett says. “It’s a place that’s filled with colorful people and celebrates individual style. You can be yourself in here.”

After years working as a photographer with an eye for architecture and design, Barrett realized that not everything he made had to be for the art house crowd. He could work on something for the masses, too, he thought. But if he was going to become one of the few independent eyewear designers in the Deep South—most are in California—he wanted to make sure the quality was there and the spirit aimed true. Barrett says his frames reference the attitude and warmththat the Big Easy exudes.

Since launching one year ago this month, Krewe du Optic has used non-traditional methods for promotion, including wheeling Barrett’s mobile cart to any and every New Orleans cultural happening. But Krewe’s growing popularity among Louisiana’s creative class and buy-local stalwarts is evident with one glance at the company’s Instagram account. “We don’t advertise,” Barrett says. “We use social media and other ways to connect. The goal is not to sell more, but to reach more.” Krewe du Optic sunglasses are available in Baton Rouge at Smarter Eyewear and Head Over Heels. kreweduoptic.com