Rigards eyewear is available at Petite Optique in Union Square, NYC. Discover handcrafted frames defined by unconventional materials, artisanal techniques, and raw, expressive design. Visit our Union Square boutique to explore the Rigards collection and book a personalized fitting.
We hand-pick selections of unique frames and RX graded lenses for same-day service and pick-up. By appointment only
Each pair of glasses are carefully made one-by-one by talented craftsmen who are meticulous with detail. The company has won design awards for its non-conformist pieces. Rigards Eyewear often adorns its frames with inspiration symbolic of samurai swordsmen, Eastern gods and other iconic characters from the designer’s boyhood sagas. Ti Kwa has mentioned in interviews that he has been wearing glasses since he was 8-years-old and was always sketching eyewear frames in his mind. Then one day, he jumped into the industry and found success. His brand is now available in more than 30 countries, including the United States, Japan and its center in Paris, France. Ti Kwa has revealed that each pair of eyeglasses he sells comes with a story, and if it isn’t about his favorite war heroes, the glasses may be symbolic of the great sea creature, the manta ray, pay hommage to the B-52 stealth jet or be significant about a personal memory that evokes happiness.
No one would argue that Rigards Eyewear is striking on both men and women. The glasses are strong in appearance and bold in the feeling they evoke. The designer admits that he enjoys working with all kinds of materials and those that feature long-lasting appeal and craftsmanship. For instance, Ti Kwa only works with natural materials for their organicness and longevity. He envisions his eyewear becoming heirloom pieces that can be passed down through a family’s generations. Copper is one of his latest fascinations. The material is challenging for making eyeglass frames, but it is also light in weight and amazing to look at. Ti Kwa has also made stunning wooden frames and those designed with 925 sterling silver. Buffalo horn was one of the brand’s first frame compositions and is a natural material that he says is lighter than a pair of Ray-Bans. Rigards Eyewear is modern, unconventional and environmentally-friendly.
The designer believes that most people want to go green and have a “low carbon footprint” but don’t always adhere to their convictions. Instead of wearing so much plastic, Ti Kwa has created an eyewear alternative that celebrates natural materials and contemporary style. If you are obsessed with looking ahead and want an option that delivers glasses with frames that make a statement and are painstakingly created with passion and respect, then Ti Kwa is looking at you.
