Northern Lights Optic is a luxury eyewear brand founded by Orion Anthony. Designed in British Columbia, the unisex glasses are handcrafted from quality acetates and metals and finished with quality AuroraTM CR-39 lenses. The inspiration behind the glasses originates from the adventurous spirit of alpine explorers.

Design has been a big part of Anthony’s life with influences coming from his mother and architect uncle when he was growing up. He started his own apparel branding and printing at 16 before he went on to found four more companies, one of which was Small Town Jeans. A few years after living in Los Angeles, Anthony moved back to his homeland and started Northern Lights Optic.

The frames are refined with modern proportions and subtle details while retaining the heritage silhouettes. Incorporating removable leather shields and a circular shape, the wireframe NL-6 and acetate NL-7 pay tribute to the eyewear spotted by climbers in the ‘50s and ‘60s. The NL-14, a homage to vintage skiing glasses, features a modern cat eye and the option of matte white frames with blue or pink mirrored lenses.

I recently sat down with Anthony to talk about the brand’s inspiration, how his industry experience has honed the brand and where he sees Northern Lights Optic in five years. Be prepared to bring out your sense of adventure with these explorer inspired eyewear.

– What inspired you to start Northern Lights Optic?

I was living in LA working in fashion and decided to move back to my home in the BC Mountains. I wanted to speak of my lifestyle change and thought that early mountaineering sunglasses would tell the story somehow. I wanted a pair, but nobody made a good fashion version. So I did.

– How has your industry experience contributed to the success of Northern Lights Optic?

I’ve been in graphic design, fashion and apparel branding for 25 years, so my critical eye for aesthetics and proportion has made my first optics collection sell through well.

– Where do you see the brand in 5 years?

Still iconic for fashion mountaineering styles…and the first brand to connected this look with the adventure market.

– The sunglasses are great aesthetically but are also functional for the modern men who seek adventure. What sets the brand apart from other sunglasses brand?

I try to tell a good brand story, intending to engage and connect with the other people out there like myself. People who are excited about the look and have been “looking for good glacier glasses forever!!” I’ve been exploring the alpine for 20 years so the brand really comes from an authentic place. I’m an alpine addict. I also think the name goes very well with the look of the product and it’s Northern origin.

– What is the one thing in menswear that is a no-no?

Wrap around sports sunglasses