A little New York in the frame.

The Shady Character story begins with The Ruby Slippers, a Manhattan vintage shop started by Linda Rae Tepper and Steve M. Abrams in the 1970s. According to the brand’s official history, their enthusiasm for old Tart Optical frames led them to commission eyewear of their own. That gives the label a particularly appealing origin: people finding objects they loved, then wanting to make more of them.

The contemporary revival brings together eyewear designer Tommy O’Gara and artist Michael Carney, with the original founders involved as advisers. The official account describes both reinterpretations and new designs with American references. It is a continuing design project, rather than a promise that every frame is a replica of a vintage original.

In a conversation with The New Order about his Private Eyes & Trackers store, O’Gara placed Shady Characters alongside the other labels in a space combining gallery, studio and workshop. That setting makes sense for eyewear with this history. It encourages looking, comparing and discovering what an old idea can do in a present-day wardrobe. Let the shape be the starting point, then see whether its proportions feel like yours.