We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kayla Heersink a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kayla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

My dad is the optometrist in the small town that I grew up in. I got interested in eyeglasses fashion at a very young age because I started wearing glasses in kindergarten. It was the 80s and I picked out pink glittery frames and embellished the lens with a semi permanent silver dog sticker. I started working in the office after class when I was in high school. The intersection of fashion and medical device has always been interesting to me, and I love being able to help someone pick out the perfect pair.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been fortunate to work at some of the best independent optical shops, and have gained incredible knowledge about frames. My instagram page @optical_style is a place where I showcase eyewear inspiration, both vintage and new. It began as a creative outlet for me, a visual collage of the things I found inspiring. The thing I didn’t anticipate was the community of eyewear enthusiasts I was unknowingly curating as well. My followers are optical shops, opticians, designers, and general eyewear enthusiasts of all kinds. The thing that sets me apart from others is that I’m not selling. I post to educate and inspire.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I have had to unlearn the idea that branded eyewear is the best quality. It was extremely eye opening to enter the world of independent eyewear, where frames are made by hand. Most people don’t realize that their Chanel, Prada or RayBan frames are mass produced and coming from the same huge company and factories. It is a joy to educate people about independent eyewear brands and to tell a designer’s unique story. I love to help someone express how they present themselves to others in a way that gives them the most confidence.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would. This career path has allowed me to easily move between cities, as good opticians are always in demand. It’s not the highest paying job, but I have always made a comfortable living. The difference in corporate optical and independent optical jobs is hugely different in the products you’re selling, but the same in the way that you want someone to feel. Even though so many e-commerce eyewear sites are popping up, I never feel threatened because the expertise of an experienced optician about lens design, fit, and individual prescription needs are not easily solved by someone on their own through the internet. It doesn’t usually go well.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @opticali_style

Image Credits

Intro photo and photos 2-4 by Darin Combs

Photo 1 by Ryan Scavo