Designer Spotlight: Eva Masaki Eyewear

Eva Masaki Eyewear - Japanese Acetate Frames

Interview with designer Eva Masaki

How did you get started in the eyewear business?

In 2005, I was living in Japan and was introduced to an eyewear manufacturer based in Osaka. I failed their entry exam, but because it was a friendly intro and my mother happened to have grown up nearby, they hired me. This was my initial introduction to the industry, helping their teams with product design and development, marketing, branding, and English. From there, I went on to work with Italian brands and manufacturers to eventually connect with Cutler and Gross of London. I represented CG in my showroom in Shibuya, Tokyo, for 8 years, assimilating them into the Japanese market via sales, collaborations, and adventurous marketing. Ready to return home to the US more permanently and settle in New York, I decided to softly launch my own brand with the help of a friend in the industry.

Where do you find your inspiration?

In the past, I took endless inspiration from my travels and Japan specifically. Pre-covid I was flying back and forth to Tokyo monthly from NYC, but since then, my priorities definitely shifted, and I had no choice but to slow down (sort of), which has been a very positive change in my life. Nowadays, I'm more aware of my surroundings (versus jetting off to another timezone), and daily life and deep friendships (near and far) are my greatest inspirations.

Where did you learn your craft?

I'd say I learned my craft (on a larger scale) from my parents. Their sense of adventure, style, and entrepreneurship were always second nature to me growing up. It was just by luck that I ended up in this industry, applying my parents' vision to create a lifestyle and business that I truly love.

What is your hope for the future of the fashion industry?

A heightened awareness that less is more

What is your favorite museum?

The Noguchi Museum

If you were stuck with the choice of one breakfast for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Fresh fruit on a beach in Thailand

What is your favorite trip in your life so far, and why?

An empowering snowboarding trip to Bariloche, Argentina. At one point, I ended up lost in the backcountry and alone. I seriously thought I wasn't going to find my way back to civilization, but somehow found my way to a trail and down the mountain. I stuffed my face with so much chocolate as soon as I hit the basecamp. From Bariloche, I rented a car and took a solo drive to see the wild landscape of Argentina. After a 10-hour bus ride back to Buenos Aires, I spent a few days there, cruising around the city and staying at the most beautiful B + B. I dream about going back there and lying in that beautiful room often.