Seeing the World Differently: A Farewell to l.a Eyeworks Gai Gherardi

If ever there was a person who could turn a simple pair of glasses into a full-blown statement of self-expression, it was Gai Gherardi. As the co-founder of l.a.Eyeworks, she didn’t just design eyewear—she designed a way of seeing the world, literally and figuratively. And let’s be honest, the world through Gai’s lens was a lot more colourful, a lot bolder, and a whole lot more fun.

From the moment she and childhood friend Barbara McReynolds opened their first store on Melrose Avenue in 1979, Gai was on a mission: to free us from boring, lifeless eyewear. No more wire-rimmed snoozefests. No more blending into the crowd. If you put on a pair of l.a.Eyeworks glasses, you stood out. And that was exactly the point.

Her frames became a signature for icons, artists, and anyone who refused to be ordinary. And those legendary ad campaigns? Pure genius. Black-and-white portraits of eccentric, fascinating people—each one staring straight into the camera with that defiant tagline: A face is like a work of art. It deserves a great frame.

But Gai’s magic wasn’t just about the glasses. It was about the people. She had an eye (pun absolutely intended) for beauty in all its forms and was a champion of individuality. She didn’t just design
eyewear—she designed confidence. She made people feel seen in every sense of the word.

Even as she built an eyewear empire, she stayed true to her roots: playful, passionate, and endlessly curious. She cared about the world, supported good causes, and never lost that rebellious, joyful spirit that made l.a.Eyeworks what it is today.

So, here’s to Gai—who made the world brighter, bolder, and undeniably more fabulous. May we all continue to see things just a little more like she did.

Some of us here at Eyewear on Pako were lucky enough to meet Gai whilst she was visiting Melbourne in 2019. Chris took along an l.a Eyeworks model Harley that he’d bought roughly 30 years earlier. She knew that frame like the back of her hand!

Those of us who were there that day will be forever grateful to have had the opportunity to spend time with Gai- she was absolutely mesmerising.

View the entire gallery of black and white portraits here: l.a.Eyeworks | PORTRAIT CAMPAIGN

Click this link to read a beautiful tribute posted by l.a Eyeworks
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHY74euyF7V/?igsh=NjQ1OGJuNXA