Kuwahara, the founder of the multi-disciplinary design agency, Focus Group West, first gained international acclaim as the creator and designer of the exclusive KATA Eyewear brand. His groundbreaking use of engineering and production techniques together with his highly curated eye reinvented the way eyewear design is approached today.
Kuwahara’s bold experimentation and innovation have gained him a following in the fashion media and has been profiled in Vogue, ELLE, Bazaar, GQ, In Style, and Esquire and has been seen on E!, Access Hollywood, MTV, and CNN. Buzz magazine voted Kuwahara one of the “100 Coolest People in Los Angeles” and Detour magazine called him, “a gifted talent, blessed with a savvy and unmistakable sense of style.”
Kuwahara was recently named by Brilliant Magazine as one of the “100 Most Important People in the Eyewear Industry”. Kuwahara has also collaborated extensively on eyewear collections for John Varvatos, Carolina Herrera, Isaac Mizrahi, Behnaz Sarapfour, Hanae Mori, and Coach.
A celebrity favourite, Kuwahara’s designs are worn by Lil Nas X, Elton John, QuestLove, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Robert Downey, Jr., Will Smith, Jeremy Piven, Samuel L. Jackson, Casey Affleck, Slash, and Gwyneth Paltrow among many others.
Kuwahara is a longstanding member of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and is a board member of the Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA).
He has garnered a multitude of awards for his designs including “Best of Category in Consumer Products” from I.D. magazine, the 2016 “Silmo d’Or” for the “Kahn” (Blake Kuwahara Eyewear), and the “Silmo d’Or – Prix Special Journalists de Mode” from a panel of French fashion journalists (KATA Eyewear). Kuwahara was most recently nominated for the 2020 Silmo d’Or for BK1006 from his Grey Label Collection.
Read more about this brand on TEF Magazine or visit their website.
More news on Blake Kuwahara
edCFDA // 10th anniversary dedicated eyewear collection
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding as a working group within the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the eyewear designers of the edCFDA will present a special collection of limited-edition eyewear designs. Proceeds from this exclusive collection will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, combining cutting-edge fashion with a meaningful cause. This initiative highlights the creativity and generosity of the eyewear community, making a positive impact through both design and philanthropy.
TEF Eyewear Advent // On the 15th day of Christmas
On the 15th day of Christmas, TEFmag presents to you, a striking design that blends innovative inspiration with timeless elegance, redefining eyewear as a true art form: the BK1029 by Blake Kuwahara
edCFDA // 2024 Pride eyewear collection
CFDA EYEWEAR DESIGNERS LAUNCH 2024 PRIDE COLLECTION Proceeds benefit Bring Change to Mind In honor of Pride Month in June, seven CFDA eyewear brands are uniting to launch the third annual edCFDA Pride Eyewear Initiative. The designers Blake Kuwahara (Blake Kuwahara...
Blake Kuwahara // Reflecting a spirit of rebirth
The spring 2022 collection from Blake Kuwahara reflects a spirit of rebirth With the resumption of international trade shows, Blake Kuwahara showcased his Spring 2022 Collection at the LOFT in New York City and MIDO in Milan as well as virtually on the Council of...
Blake Kuwahara // Bold Interview
At this year’s Bold Optical Fair, the amazing eyewear brand Blake Kuwahara will be exhibiting for the first time. A great time to ask the man himself some questions! About his own brand, his design work for his company Focus Group West, and what makes him tick...
TEFtalk // Unboxing Beelman by Blake Kuwahara
Not an actual unboxing today, for I had the full Blake Kuwahara collection on the new Carré shelving units here, so enjoy some more insights on this amazing display and moreover, the beautiful frame designs by this talented designer from Los Angeles. The BEELMAN is an...
Blake Kuwahara // Spring Fever
Blake Kuwahara launches its largest collection to date with the expansion of the grey label. This spring, the celebrated eyewear designer Blake Kuwahara will debut his largest collection to date, with 19 new styles. [perfectpullquote align=”full”...
Blake Kuwahara – Negative Space in Positive places
Chantal is taking this artisanal “Soleri” frame by Blake Kuwahara with her everywhere. Whether it be the urban streets of Sao Paolo or the sun-drenched beaches of Tel Aviv, these uber cool shades, that follow Blakes “Frame-within-a-frame concept,...
Blake Kuwahara
Today we are shooting at the Santa Monica Pier where Amy is wearing model Hardwick in “white lace” by Blake Kuwahara. A funky take on a cateye shape. The concept behind Blake Kuwahara eyewear is to incorporate two different silhouettes–one more directional...
Blake Kuwahara
Although oversized, this Frame-within-a-Frame design by Blake Kuwahara focuses the attention on the contrasting inner frame, making it less “Out there” to enhance your personality and not to be a substitute for one. [rl_gallery id=”1986″]...