Illesteva
Illesteva is a New York eyewear brand founded in 2010 that designs sunglasses and optical frames. Its frames are produced with boutique, family-owned workshops in Italy and other manufacturing hubs.
| Founded | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Co-founder | Daniel Silberman |
| Base | New York (SoHo studio) |
| Production | Family-owned workshops in Italy and elsewhere |
| Website | illesteva.com |
What is Illesteva?
Illesteva is an eyewear label rooted in Downtown New York, with its design work carried out in a studio in SoHo. Founded in 2010, with Daniel Silberman as co-founder, the brand sets out to pair contemporary design with artisan craftsmanship at a fair price.
Products and positioning
The range covers sunglasses and eyeglasses in aviator, cat eye, geometric, round and square shapes, including titanium frames. Alongside frames, the brand offers ski goggles and sunglass chains.
Production is a central part of the brand story. Frames are made with small, family-owned workshops in Italy and other global hubs, in a process that runs to more than 50 steps and over 90 days. The acetate is mixed by hand, so no two frames are exactly alike.
Collaborations
Illesteva has built a cultural profile through design collaborations with artists and public figures, including the musician Lou Reed and the actor Rashida Jones.
Why it matters
Illesteva is an example of the independent eyewear label that competes with licensed fashion eyewear by emphasising workshop production, a clear design point of view and a direct relationship with customers through its own channels.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Illesteva from?
Illesteva is an eyewear brand from New York, with a design studio in SoHo.
Where are Illesteva sunglasses made?
Illesteva frames are made with boutique, family-owned workshops in Italy and other manufacturing hubs, using hand-mixed acetate.