Founders Story
Sheriff-Deen Showobi & Oscar Salvador Phillips. “Mate, I think we should do something…I don’t know what yet.” Hailing from Hackney and Camden, we were two Londoners in Manchester with a desire to create. What? We didn’t know yet, and that was part of the thrill. A casual chat at Parklife Festival planted the seed, and a chance meeting with an eyewear collector connected the dots. OD started when we realised how essential sunnies are sometimes and it was that spirit of exploration that sealed the deal. With a passion for summer, much like the city we come from, we now traverse the markets, alleys, and antique shops of Europe, uncovering vintage gems that inspire our collection and meeting the individuals who shape our ethos.
Design Philosophy
We’re not here to reinvent the wheel; instead, we celebrate timeless styles that have stood the test of time. Our mission? To write new chapters for classic designs while keeping their essence intact. Simply put, we reframe classic style for today’s crowd. We take those beloved silhouettes and give them a fresh twist using classic materials and tried-and-true manufacturing processes that ensure quality. Our approach honors the past while focusing on the present. We craft eyewear that resonates, merging the nostalgia of iconic designs with the bold energy of now. Each frame we create tells a story - a fusion of heritage craftsmanship and contemporary flair, ready for your everyday adventures.
The Process
Every pair of OD frames begins with a quest through the streets of Europe, hunting for classic styles that inspire our designs. We’ve uncovered treasures in warehouse cupboards, dimly lit front rooms, and side street markets. But this ain’t a copycat thing. We dedicate weeks, sometimes months, to redesigning and modernizing each frame we discover, transforming a dusty old gem into our vision of a modern classic. Then we make our final frames from hand finished Mazzucchelli acetate. They’re Italian, if the name didn’t give it away, and they’ve been top of their game since 1849.
