Heineken & Garrett Leight California Optical Debut Exclusive Sunglasses For "#Heineken100" Program

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2014 Heineken^®, the world’s leading international brewer, today launched a collaborative pair of one-of-a-kind sunglasses with Los Angeles based eyewear brand Garrett Leight California Optical (GLCO) as part of the 2014 #Heineken100 program. Now in its fifth year, the #Heineken100 program partners with imaginative designers to create a series of coveted custom lifestyle products, not available at retail, and shares them with 100 influential tastemakers across the nation. Designed in partnership with #Heineken100 Creative Director and Union Los Angeles owner Chris Gibbs, the GLCO sunglasses mark the last of three premium collaborations Heineken will release in 2014.

"I was thrilled to partner with Chris Gibbs and Heineken^® for the #Heineken100 program," said Garrett Leight, founder of GLCO.  "The collaborative process was very inspiring- Chris pushed me to try something totally new- and I’m really proud of what we’ve come up with."

Under Gibbs’ direction, Garrett Leight designed the acetate shades based on his popular Kinney style, with its dark grey crystal frame. However, the zero-based, green lenses mark the GLCO brand’s first pair to utilize a flat lens.

"It’s so rewarding to see this creation come to life and I was motivated by Garrett Leight’s timeless style," said Chris Gibbs. "GLCO is all about quality and these sunglasses epitomize both quality and design, exactly matching the soul of Heineken."

"We chose to partner with Garrett Leight because of his reputation and commitment to quality and craftsmanship," said Quinn Kilbury, Senior Brand Director, Heineken^®. "His eyewear’s distinct style is a perfect match for Heineken^®. We’re proud to close the 2014 #Heineken100 program with this cutting-edge item."

The 2014 #Heineken100 program kicked off in October with a city tote by premium leather goods brand Parabellum, followed by a "ponchirt" with fashion brand RTH. All three products were designed in each label’s respective ateliers in Los Angeles and will not be offered at retail to consumers. Previous collaborative products for the program include: Mark McNairy saddle shoes, a Public School-designed duffel bag, NEIGHBORHOOD selvedge denim jeans and a KILLSPENCER daypack, among others.