We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Gil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was born Stivie Wonder, almoust legally blind @-14 . In late 70’s I had an RK- redial keratotamy surgery in USSR with it’s inventor Dr. Fedorov and became his famoust guinea pig to become first ever corrected with one surgery at this high Rx. So I was born in eyeglasses my first word probably was not “mama” but “presbiopia” So I love glasses. Glasses are my passion. Then I went to art school in USSR. And that, combined with my love with glasses made me a fashion dictator. So now I can help both poor blind people and spoiled Hollywood brats.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
It was easy. After I slaved for 10 years in Lenscrafters, For Eyes and JC Penneys I thought I knew everything about optical business. So in 1996 I opened my own store on Melrose Ave.next to Fred Seagel store. First I was kinnda normal, but than moved to vintage, antique glasses and started creating my own crazy creatures from forks and spoons and shark teeth. Over the years I collected over 50 thousand frames. Starting 14 century and going pre-revolutionary and revolutionary war, civil war and oal other wars. I am to lazy to make a museum. So I rent and sell them to movies and my brothers and sisters eyeglasses freaks and enthusiasts

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Santa M9nica. I love Santa M9nica. It l’s not like I hate WEHO but I like Santa Monica more. I like SM beaches , 3rd street promenade, Montana Ave., Maine street. 4th and San Vicente stairs. Timescale cyn hike. I like biking the ocean

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To all vision impared and/or glasses lovers

Website: https://framedbyoleg.com

Instagram: opticalsphere

Twitter: opticalsphere

Facebook: opticalsphere

Image Credits
By Jack Enyart. In his memory

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.