EYEWEAR PROUDLY MADE
IN CHICAGO, U.S.A.

STATE Optical Co. is a first-of-its-kind brand of luxury American eyewear built from the ground up in Chicago - our hometown. Our frames are meticulously handcrafted to be a genuine expression of one's personal style and distinct personality. We invite you to take a closer look at the people and story behind them.

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Frame Examination
Plastic Polishers
Frame Cleaning
Polish Wax

‘MADE IN AMERICA’
IS MORE THAN JUST A LABEL

IT’S A STATE OF MIND

And a vision for where we're going.

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OUR PASSION LIES IN CREATING FRAMES DESERVING OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WEAR THEM.

Individuals recognized for what they do, not only what they wear. Individuals who appreciate that how your frame is made is as important as how it looks.

The aesthetic for the collection continues to evolve under the stewardship of Creative Director, Nico Roseillier, one of the industry’s preeminent eyewear designers. STATE style takes strong cues from high fashion. Expect twice yearly collections, Spring Summer and Fall Winter, with exciting capsule collections always in the works, each collection with a unique story to tell.

We are proud to introduce you to STATE. A first-of-its-kind luxury eyewear brand, designed and manufactured exclusively in America – with each frame undergoing an arduous process of 75+ steps and hundreds of hours, turning the employees behind the brand into an elite group of artisans, handcrafting luxury eyewear.

IN 2012 MARC FRANCHI AND JASON STANLEY HAD AN IDEA THAT EVERYONE TOLD THEM WAS IMPOSSIBLE

– that they could find a way to manufacture high quality eyewear in the United States. The two first cousins and self-described ‘gear heads,’ began traveling the world, researching machinery and techniques and eventually built their own factory in Ventura, California.

Also in 2012, Scott Shapiro & Jerry Wolowicz – executives at a family owned, independent eyewear company – set out to create the world’s first truly American brand of luxury eyewear. After countless meetings with artisans and professionals throughout the industry, they finally found a partner that shared their vision.

It was clear that a collaboration with Marc & Jason could quickly become something transformative, and the four of them began discussing a new venture. In 2014, Marc & Jason moved themselves, their families and key employees to Chicago to team with Scott & Jerry and form a new entity.

This is the story so far of State Optical Co. – a brand fueled by an intrinsic motivation to accomplish the improbable and blaze its own path despite evidence that “it can’t be done.” story-2
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