What KREWE does

KREWE DU OPTIC, LLC, operating as KREWE, is a privately held, New Orleans-headquartered luxury eyewear brand that designs, markets, and sells handcrafted sunglasses and optical frames. The company operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer model: a multi-currency e-commerce site (krewe.com) shipping to 30+ countries, complemented by 18 owned physical retail stores across the United States, including flagship locations in New Orleans and New York City under the "Maison Du Krewe" banner. Its product portfolio spans men's and women's sunglasses priced from $255 to $415, prescription optical frames, and a complementary accessories line (cases, totes, lighter sleeves), with a secondary service offering called "Second Chances" that provides free frame replacement.

The core technology and product differentiation centers on handcrafted construction using premium materials — high-quality acetate, stainless steel, titanium, and 12K-24K gold-plated hardware — along with proprietary color development (Gelato, Granita, Nikko Tortoise, Venezia, Amalfi, and seasonal exclusives). Functional lens offerings include polarized, mirrored, blue-light filtering, and edge-to-edge nylon lens formats (used in the STL NYLON and BEAU NYLON collections). The brand supports multiple fit categories (Narrow, Average, Wide, Low Bridge) and accepts FSA/HSA dollars on optical purchases, broadening accessibility to prescription eyewear buyers.

KREWE serves fashion-forward consumer end markets, primarily men and women seeking design-led luxury eyewear for everyday and occasion wear, with secondary use cases in polarized sun and prescription optical. Marketing is conducted through owned digital channels (email, SMS, Instagram, Facebook), seasonal sales events (including up to 40% off promotions), experiential activations at cultural events (Newport Folk Festival, Hampton Classic, Chicago Archive Sale, Round Top Fall Show), and lifestyle content (e.g., Portugal Travel Guide). The company does not disclose revenue, headcount, funding, or ownership structure in the available source material.

Name

KREWE

Legal name

KREWE DU OPTIC, LLC

Website

https://krewe.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

KREWE is a privately held, New Orleans-based luxury eyewear brand selling handcrafted sunglasses (priced $255-$415) and optical frames through 18 U.S. retail stores and a DTC e-commerce site shipping to 30+ countries, serving fashion-forward men and women seeking design-led, premium-material eyewear.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Eyewear

NAICS

Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers (458)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sunglasses (Non-Prescription) (CRAAAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Eyewear Accessories & Care (Cases, Cleaning, Chains) (CRAAAKAI), Tech & Utility Accessories (Phone Cases, Watch Bands, Key Holders) (CRAAAJAK)

Keywords

• Luxury eyewear
• Handcrafted sunglasses
• Optical frames
• Acetate eyewear
• Polarized sunglasses

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Sunglasses Sales: Primary revenue stream from sale of handcrafted luxury sunglasses ranging from $255 to $415. Products include aviator, round, square, cat-eye, and oversized styles for men and women.
2. Optical Eyewear Sales: Sale of prescription eyeglasses and optical frames with similar styling to the sunglass collection. Includes blue light filtering options and multiple fit categories (Narrow, Average, Wide, Low Bridge).
3. Accessories: Sale of complementary accessories including The Lighter Sleeve ($45), The Embroidered Tote, 2 Frame Travel Case ($75), and 4 Frame Travel Case ($95).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KREWE designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted luxury sunglasses and prescription optical eyeglasses made from premium acetate, stainless steel, and titanium with 12K, 18K, and 24K gold-plated hardware. The company also sells complementary lifestyle accessories including travel cases, totes, and a Lighter Sleeve, and operates a Second Chances free replacement program. Products are priced from $255 to $415 and sold direct-to-consumer via the krewe.com e-commerce site and 18 retail stores in the United States.

Product overview

KREWE is a New Orleans-based luxury eyewear brand offering handcrafted sunglasses and optical eyeglasses. The product portfolio centers on two core offerings: Sunglasses (including bestsellers like ZANDER aviator, ST. LOUIS round, LUCY oval wrap, and various polarized/mirrored styles) and Optical Eyeglasses (including ST. LOUIS OPTICAL, EDIE, BERM, RILEY, and other prescription frames). The brand differentiates through premium materials (acetate, stainless steel, titanium, 18K gold hardware), polarized and mirrored lens options, and a complementary Accessories line (The Lighter Sleeve, The Embroidered Tote, travel cases). Notable services include Second Chances (free replacement program) and FSA-eligible optical frames. Products are priced from $255-$415 for sunglasses and are available through 18 retail stores across the US.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunglasses Handcrafted luxury sunglasses in aviator, round, cat-eye, square, and geometric silhouettes, made in acetate and metal with polarized and mirrored lens options. Priced $255–$415, sold to individual consumers via krewe.com and 18 retail stores.
• Optical Eyeglasses Design-forward prescription eyeglasses and optical frames available in multiple fit categories (Narrow, Average, Wide, Low Bridge), in acetate and titanium materials with blue light filtering options. FSA/HSA eligible, sold to individual consumers.
• Accessories Complementary lifestyle accessories including The Lighter Sleeve ($45), The Embroidered Tote, The Insulated Wine Tote, 2 Frame Travel Case ($75), and 4 Frame Travel Case ($95), sold to individual consumers alongside eyewear purchases.
• Polarized Sunglasses Line Dedicated polarized sunglass collection offering glare reduction across multiple frame silhouettes including aviator, square, and geometric shapes, with gold hardware and mirrored variants.
• Second Chances Free Frame Replacement Program Free frame replacement service offering complimentary replacements for damaged or lost KREWE frames, designed to build customer loyalty and reduce switching incentive.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Newport Folk FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKREWE participates as a vendor/partner at the Newport Folk Festival, setting up retail presence to reach festival attendees who align with the brand's aesthetic and lifestyle positioning.
• Hampton Classic Horse ShowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partnership at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the United States, serving the equestrian lifestyle community.
• Chicago Archive SaleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipation in the Chicago Archive Sale event, a curated shopping experience featuring emerging and established brands.
• Round Top Fall ShowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresence at the Round Top Fall Show, an iconic Texas antique and design market, reaching design-conscious consumers.
• Etma BakeryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured hospitality partner in KREWE's Portugal Travel Guide campaign. Ukrainian couple-owned Lisbon bakery highlighted as part of brand storytelling and lifestyle content marketing.
• Nata Wine BarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured hospitality partner in KREWE's Portugal Travel Guide campaign. Lisbon wine bar highlighted as part of brand travel content and lifestyle storytelling.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Warby Parker: DTC eyewear brand combining e-commerce with physical retail stores; sells prescription glasses and sunglasses at mid-premium price points. Closest comparable in omnichannel model, though positioned below KREWE on price and craftsmanship.
• Oliver Peoples: Luxury designer eyewear brand known for handcrafted acetate frames and proprietary colorways; competes in the same $300-$500 premium sunglasses segment with similar aesthetic-driven positioning.
• Garrett Leight California Optical: Independent luxury eyewear brand selling premium sunglasses and optical frames through DTC and select flagship retail. Directly comparable on craft-driven positioning and price tier ($200-$400).
• Maui Jim: Premium polarized sunglasses brand with proprietary lens technology; directly comparable on polarized lens offering and premium positioning, though with stronger sport/performance skew versus KREWE's fashion focus.
• Linda Farrow: Luxury designer eyewear brand known for oversized frames and premium acetate with gold hardware accents; closely comparable on handcrafted positioning, fashion-forward styling, and $300-$500 price tier.
• Cutler and Gross: British luxury independent eyewear brand specializing in handcrafted acetate frames with distinctive styling and proprietary colorways; directly comparable on premium craftsmanship, independent ownership, and elevated price positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Persol: Heritage luxury Italian eyewear brand owned by EssilorLuxottica; competes in the same premium handcrafted sunglasses category with strong acetate and metal frame heritage at similar price points.
• Tom Ford Eyewear: Luxury designer eyewear line under the Tom Ford brand (EssilorLuxottica-licensed); competes directly at the $300-$500+ premium price tier with fashion-forward styling and gold hardware accents similar to KREWE.
• Ray-Ban: Iconic global eyewear brand owned by EssilorLuxottica; competes across the sunglasses category from entry to premium pricing, with both direct retail and wholesale distribution competing for KREWE's customer attention.

Emerging players

• Jacques Marie Mage: Independent luxury eyewear brand with limited-edition handcrafted frames featuring premium acetate, gold hardware, and proprietary colorways; comparable niche positioning as a smaller, craft-driven competitor at ultra-premium price points ($400-$1,000+).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KREWE
• Instagraminstagram.com/krewe
• Xx.com/KREWE_Eyewear

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KREWE