Brand Profile: OTIS Eyewear Turns 25: A Legacy of Style, Sustainability, and Soul
OTIS Eyewear has spent the last 25 years crafting sunglasses that blend style, performance, and sustainability. What started in a small surf town in Western Australia has grown into a well known brand with deep roots in surf, skate, and outdoor culture. We caught up with CEO Nathan Omodei to talk about OTIS’s journey and how they’re celebrating 25 years.
Please tell us the story behind Otis?
OTIS was started 25 years ago from a small coastal town in the south of Western Australia, a place we still call home today. It’s a beautiful part of the world with a rugged coastline, pristine beaches and majestic forests. Australia is known for many things…kangaroos, snakes & spiders…and its weather. In particular, the hot sun and unusually high UV levels due to its position in the southern hemisphere and proximity to the ozone layer. It was against this backdrop that our founder, a surfer and entrepreneur, decided to develop eyewear that would withstand the harsh environment and allow people to continue to enjoy active and varied lifestyles without compromising the health of their eyes. He chose mineral glass lenses for OTIS sunglasses, for its superior clarity, permanent tinting, high UV protection and scratch resistance. 25 years on, we continue to evolve OTIS to be a brand with both style & substance. In the decades since founding, we’ve stayed true to our coastal roots while forging deep connections with artists, musicians, adventurers and others who see the world differently. You’ll find us in Australia, America, New Zealand, UK and now expanding into Europe. The name OTIS was inspired by soul legend Otis Redding, someone who embodied his own kind of timeless style.
Otis has a strong connection to the surf, skate, and snowboard communities. How has this influenced the brand?
It’s in our DNA. Being based in Yallingup, Western Australia, most of our team live active, outdoor lives and are into one type of board sport or another. Our ambassadors—Jay Davies, Imogen Caldwell-Brown, Jamie Thomas, Greg Long, and more—inspire us through their style and approach to life. OTIS frames are built for the elements, designed to handle hard wear and serious glare, making them perfect for those who live outside the lines.
Can we have some current stats on the brand in its 25th year?
Did you know a Fiat 500 weighs 950kg? That’s the same amount of plastic we save every year by using mineral glass lenses. Over 25 years, that’s around 23,750kg—the weight of a fully loaded London double-decker bus. All aboard the mineral glass revolution!
How is the anniversary being celebrated?
We’re celebrating by ‘looking back to look forward.’ It’s the perfect time to reflect on our journey, our future, and maybe even laugh at a few questionable early designs (luckily, not too many!). Expect plenty of storytelling on our socials, along with giveaways and competitions, including a search for the oldest OTIS frames still in use. We’re also reviving designs from the vault and offering special anniversary releases to our community.
Tell us about your anniversary collabs or special lines.
We don’t want to spoil too much, but there’s plenty to get excited about. To mark 25 years of OTIS, we’re launching a heritage frame, bringing back a classic design that proves timeless style never fades.
We’re also dropping our first-ever fishing frame lanyard, releasing alongside a new fishing-focused EcoGrilamid frame. Plus, we’ve teamed up with Jay Davies for a special collaboration. To top it off, we’re launching a 25-year merch line with tees, hoodies, hats, and pins. Stay tuned—big things are coming!
How do you ensure OTIS sunglasses are eco-friendly, and what steps are being taken to reduce environmental impact?
We’re passionate about creating products that not only look good but also contribute to a greater good. Our mineral glass lenses are a big part of that—endlessly recyclable and scratch-resistant, meaning they last longer.
We’ve also developed:
● EcoAcetate – A plant-based, certified biodegradable material.
● EcoGrilamid – Uses majority plant-based binders instead of petrochemicals.
● More sustainable packaging – We’ve eliminated single-use plastic, opting for recycled PET cloth wraps and other thoughtful choices.
Creating eyewear that lasts means using fewer virgin materials over time. That’s our biggest goal—designing products that truly stand the test of time.
Which upcoming products are you most excited about?
We have a lot in the works this year—merch, accessories, EcoAcetate frames, and EcoGrilamid frames. It’s impossible to pick a favourite. We’re genuinely excited about them all!
Please tell us about your distribution setup in Europe.
We have a distribution hub based in Spain and supported by industry veteran Ana Sedes from Pinkadillac. We are building our direct team of sales agents across the region and are ready for Spring/Summer 2025!
