NEW YORK—This week, 20 leading independent eyewear designers teamed up with Tarrence Lackran (@theopticalpoet on Instagram) to put together a frame auction that will benefit The Vision Council's Opening Your Eyes Scholarship (OYES), which provides full scholarships and paid internships to high school seniors from underrepresented communities who have an interest in pursuing a career in the optical industry. Lackran who is VP, Community Relations – Diversity & Inclusion at Luxury Optical Holdings, said, “I chose the theme See & Be Seen because it illustrates the need for more representation of people of color in our industry.

“People of all backgrounds should be able to peer into our industry and see themselves represented in ECPs, executives, marketing and products. I look forward to engaging these designers and hearing about why the frame they donated is of special significance and why they are willing to part with it for this important cause. Any of the winning bidders on these frames will receive a piece of eyewear history that they can be proud of.”

The auction began on June 18, and will be available through June 25 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Participating companies submitting products to the benefit include: Akoni (Balmain), Anne et Valentin, Anna-Karin Karlsson, Barton Perreira, Blake Kuwahara, Cazal, Christian Roth for Optical Affairs, Etnia Barcelona, Jacques Marie Mage, Kerring (Cartier), l.a.Eyeworks, Lapima, Matsuda, Maybach, Morgenthal Frederics, Nico Roseillier for STATE Optical co., Rigards, Robert Marc NYC, Selima Optique, Theo, Thierry Lasry, and Vintage Frames.

Here, we are taking a look at some of the special, unique frames available in this auction, which is open online now.

This Anna-Karin Karlsson "Phat Cat" frame is one of only 75 worldwide, and the last one available. It features 24k gold plated, bespoke Swarovski crystals and Zeiss gradient grey lenses, exclusive for AKK production only.


These Etnia Barcelona X Ignasi Monreal sunglasses are a pre-release, designed by the Etnia Barcelona team in collaboration with artist Ignasi Monreal.


State and Maxwell are offering three frames from the brand new BLACK_SUMMERS_NIGHT collaboration (one in each color) alongside a signed and framed Maxwell vinyl and two tickets to a special Maxwell show. The eyewear collection, designed with Nicolas Roseillier, is a limited edition collaboration with the three-time Grammy winner, referencing his trilogy of albums with the same name.


Barton Perreira is offering a pre-release of its limited Cora frame, featuring a corset design along the temples and interwoven grosgrain silk ribbons connected by a 24K gold logo plated bead.


From Selima Optique, this special collaboration with Coco and Breezy is Onassis, handmade from cellulose acetate.

This is just a small sampling of the unique frames offered in the auction. The auction will be open online here through June 25.