Jenna & Jon of Revival Eyewear on what makes deadstock vintage eyewear superior in quality & how conglomerate Luxottica has created a monopoly-like hold on today's glasses industry

<p>In episode 293, Kestrel welcomes Jenna Hanson and Jon Hershman, the cofounders of Revival Eyewear, to the show. Offering an extensive collection of deadstock vintage glasses and sunglasses, <a href="https://revivaleyewear.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Revival Eyewear</a> is dedicated to reminding us that it’s possible for old things to be elevated in both quality and style. </p> <p><strong>“I fell in love with the glasses and the idea that these were vintage but brand new. I had never in my life heard of that concept — deadstock, new old stock. It was so fascinating to me. At Jon’s shop in PB, I would take them out of their cases and just be like — what is this? This is a YSL from the 1970s, it has its original packaging, I can’t believe this exists.” -Jenna</strong></p> <p class="" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Another niche (yet massive) realm of the fashion industry that we rarely discuss is the GLASSES industry. I’m talking sunglasses and eyeglasses – which I would say are a very integral part of the world of fashion and style.</p> <p class="">This week’s guests started a company where they sell unworn deadstock frames from the ‘60s to the ‘00s. If they were made so long ago, how were they never worn? Where have they been sitting, waiting to find a face to wear them?</p> <p class="">Well, we get into that.</p> <p class="">Also, we get into the mud about the powerful Italian conglomerate that owns SO MANY PIECES of the eyewear industry – from insurance companies to eyewear brands to manufacturing to retail eyewear stores. It’s amazing the stronghold this megacompany has on today’s eyewear industry.</p> <p class="">Just as we talk about with the fast fashion industry, the eyewear industry has lost much of its quality luster. We often refer to the planned obsolescence of our era, and how —</p> <blockquote> <p class="">“They just don’t make them like they used to.”</p> </blockquote> <p class="">Well, my guests actually have the knowledge to articulate what makes vintage glasses so different from their current