The eyewear designers of the CFDA (edCFDA) was formed a decade ago as a working group within our membership, brought together by their need to connect with other designers in optical. Little did they know they would grow into something bigger—a network of close friends.

They have traveled the world as a group, exhibited together at eyewear trade shows, started philanthropic initiatives raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for LGBTQ+ youth, and most importantly, made lifetime memories.

So when Gai Gherardi, cofounder of l.a.Eyeworks, passed away last week due to an illness, the designers of edCFDA felt the immeasurable loss of not just a legend in the optical space, but of a true friend.

Here, in their own words, are their tributes to the late Gai Gherardi.

Christian Roth, Optical Affairs

There are friendships that transcend time, competition, and distance. Gai was one of those rare souls who made the eyewear world feel like home. 40 years ago, our paths crossed in Milan at the Mido trade show, where we shared a booth. From that moment on, a strong bond blossomed between us, filled with love, laughter and meaningful conversations. Gai had a wonderful way of taking a genuine interest in others’ lives, always offering something thoughtful to say.

These unforgettable encounters continued across decades and across the world: Tokyo, New York, Paris, Los Angeles and the Dolomites—each place holding memories of joy, inspiration, and deep connection. One especially cherished moment was in Gai’s restaurant in L.A., where, after a heartfelt and intimate dinner conversation, Gai danced with Eric on the table, perfectly capturing her free spirit and love for life.

Her passion for creativity, kindness, commitment to do good, wisdom and her unwavering spirit left an unforgettable imprint on all who knew her. She brought light and joy into every room.

Blake Kuwahara

To say Gai’s legacy and impact looms large would be an understatement. She was a creative visionary who blazed a path for independent eyewear designers where none previously existed. She was grand, gracious, and giving at every turn. Designing eyewear can be a pretty solitary pursuit, but my friendship with Gai changed that. She became my confidant and sounding board. We also became collaborators. Although the expression of our aesthetics was often at the opposite ends of the spectrum (her world was filled with color; grey pushes my chromatic boundaries), those differences manifested in two magical frame collaborations. Gai referred to that as “Optical Alchemy”.

Gai was my sounding board and sanity-check. She called it like she saw it. She had a finely tuned BS-detector. She had a unique way of poetically expressing her thoughts without sounding judgmental. When I originally thought about organizing the eyewear designers into what would become the edCFDA, Gai was the first person I called to bounce the idea off of. When I decided to design a frame to honor Pride, I asked her if she wanted to share the custom-designed rainbow acetate. She jumped on it without hesitation and that became the genesis of the first Annual edCFDA Pride Initiative.

Gai lived with grace, passion, and compassion. She was my North Star. They say never meet your heroes. I’m so grateful that I not only met mine, but that we became dear friends.

Stirling Barrett, KREWE

My most powerful memory of Gai’s was my father’s stories: of him standing in line at l.a.Eyeworks in his 20s to buy frames from her and then presenting me with those frames. She, through those stories, was a leading catalyst for me starting KREWE in my 20s. Getting to know her through the CFDA was a full-circle moment for me. She was a force and will be dearly remembered.