No eyewear brand in history has a deeper connection to celebrity culture than L.A. Eyeworks. Since 1979, the Los Angeles-based brand has operated at the intersection of eyewear, art, and pop culture — most famously through its iconic portrait campaign, which has featured over 200 cultural luminaries photographed by Greg Gorman since 1981.
At The Last Optical, we carry L.A. Eyeworks because no other brand offers the same combination of artistic vision, handcrafted quality, and cultural significance. Here are just some of the icons who have worn — and been photographed in — L.A. Eyeworks.
Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol appeared in the L.A. Eyeworks portrait campaign, cementing the brand's status as a fixture of the art world. Warhol — who understood better than anyone that accessories are identity — recognized L.A. Eyeworks as kindred spirits: creators who treated eyewear not as a medical device but as a medium for self-expression.
Grace Jones
Grace Jones — supermodel, singer, actress, and one of the most visually striking humans ever photographed — sat for the L.A. Eyeworks portrait campaign. Her participation was a natural fit: both Jones and L.A. Eyeworks share a commitment to bold, uncompromising aesthetics that refuse to blend in.
Jodie Foster
Academy Award winner Jodie Foster appeared in the L.A. Eyeworks portrait campaign, choosing the brand for its intellectual edge and artistic credibility. Foster's selection reflects L.A. Eyeworks' appeal to celebrities who value substance over flash — people who want their eyewear to signal creativity and independence rather than wealth.
RuPaul
RuPaul — the world's most famous drag queen and cultural icon — has been featured in the L.A. Eyeworks portrait campaign. The brand's willingness to embrace bold color, exaggerated proportions, and theatrical flair makes it a natural match for someone whose entire career is built on the transformative power of personal style.
The Portrait Campaign Legacy
The full list of L.A. Eyeworks portrait subjects reads like a who's who of 20th and 21st century culture: Eartha Kitt, Chaka Khan, Danny Trejo, Reggie Watts, Twyla Tharp, John Waters, and hundreds more. Photographed in stark black and white by Greg Gorman, each portrait strips away everything except the subject and their frames — proving that the right eyewear can be as expressive as any other art form.
Why Celebrities Choose L.A. Eyeworks
L.A. Eyeworks frames are designed in Los Angeles and handcrafted using premium materials. But the real draw is the brand's philosophy: eyewear should be personal, expressive, and unapologetically bold. Every collection features colors, shapes, and proportions that you simply will not find from any other brand. For celebrities who have spent their careers standing out, L.A. Eyeworks offers frames that match their energy.
Shop L.A. Eyeworks at The Last Optical
We carry a curated selection of L.A. Eyeworks frames at our Montgomery, NY boutique — from their more wearable everyday styles to their boldest artistic statements. If you have ever wanted eyewear that makes people ask "where did you get those?" — this is the brand.
Shop L.A. Eyeworks online or book a visit to try them on. You only get two eyes — let's make them last.