FROM EL RAVAL, with love (and lots of glasses) By Sara

My dad is obsessed with glasses. I know that’s not the most common thing in the world, but that’s just how it is. He even has a pair of pajamas with glasses printed on them, swear to God. For me, that says it all.

For over twenty years, he’s been looking at the world through lenses and frames, repairing and selling models from every brand you can imagine. But at some point, he realized what he was really searching for couldn’t be found in any catalog. So in 2016, he decided to create his own brand: Raval.

He founded it with his friend and former Candem Town mate, David John, a guy who shared the same passion for the craft and a very clear vision of what a well-made pair of glasses should be. But life, as we know, sometimes forces a pause. And for a while, Raval was on hold.

Until about a year ago, when my dad suggested we bring it back. I was finishing film school at the time, and although I hesitated at first, something inside me knew it made sense. I grew up surrounded by glasses (literally), and even though I didn’t choose it, that’s how it went. My parents are both opticians, and changing frames every two months was just normal in our house. Looking back, I think that’s why I was a stylish kid long before I even knew what style meant.

Now we work together. He’s focused on crafting the best product possible, with the kind of skill that only comes from time, experience, and a love for doing things right. And I try to translate what Raval means to us into images and stories: a chaotic, vibrant, honest place that doesn’t ask for permission or forgiveness.

This year, Raval turns 9. It’s not just any brand. It’s ours. And in every pair of glasses, there’s a bit of his obsession, a bit of my perspective, and a whole lot of love.