88% matchGarrett Leight
Vintage-leaning acetate frames, LA rather than downtown NY
What changes: Deeper optical heritage and family lineage; slightly higher price
Brand profile
Illesteva
Independent New York eyewear label making Italian-made acetate and metal sunglasses and optical frames with a downtown Manhattan aesthetic.
New York CityOrigin
UnisexFocus
Minimalist / ContemporaryStyle
$$$Price
4 brands like Illesteva like Garrett Leight, Port Tanger, Cutler and Gross Glasses →
What to know about Illesteva
Eyewear only, essentially
Nearly everything is sunglasses and optical frames in acetate and metal, with a small accessories line of umbrellas, backpacks and handbags around the edges.
New York design, Italian production
Frames are drawn in New York and handmade in Italy, which is where the mid-to-high pricing sits rather than in logo or licensing markup.
Classic shapes, occasional odd materials
The core is round, square and aviator silhouettes, with periodic runs in less usual materials like bamboo and buffalo horn.
If you like Illesteva
88% match
84% matchPort Tanger
Younger indie label, more graphic bridge and browline shapes
What changes: Narrower range, no accessories extension
80% matchCutler and Gross Glasses
Bolder, chunkier handmade acetate with British eccentricity
What changes: Higher price and longer heritage
78% matchOliver Peoples
Refined vintage optical shapes at luxury pricing
What changes: Group-owned luxury house, much broader distribution
Brand facts
Illesteva is an independent New York eyewear label founded by designers Daniel Silberman and Justin Salguero, who set out to make classic frames with a downtown Manhattan sensibility. The brand works to a "designed in New York, handmade in Italy" model, producing acetate and metal sunglasses and optical frames in round, square and aviator shapes, with occasional use of materials such as bamboo and buffalo horn. Beyond eyewear it has extended into accessories including umbrellas, backpacks and handbags, selling direct online and through fashion retailers.
- Founded
- 2010
- Origin
- New York City, United States
- Made in
- Italy, USA
- Price
- $$$
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Styles
- Minimalist / Contemporary, Quiet luxury