Authorized Shady Character Retailer
An authentic revival of the James Dean collection, licensed by the James Dean Estate. Every frame fully genuine, never a mass-market reproduction.
NYC's Largest Luxury Eyewear Collection
Shady Character
Shady Character was born in 1970s New York, founded by Linda Rae Tepper and Steve M Abrams of the Manhattan vintage shop The Ruby Slippers. Captivated by deadstock Tart Optical frames, they convinced the legendary maker to produce eyewear to their own spec, and their 1980s James Dean collection became one of the most storied releases in eyewear history. Today the collection returns, officially licensed by the James Dean Estate and handmade in Japan from Takiron cellulose acetate, including numbered James Dean Arnie box sets limited to 350 worldwide. Explore Shady Character sunglasses, optical frames, and collector sets at Visionary Optics.
7,000+
Frames Across 3 Locations
3
NYC Locations
35+
Years in Business
Shady Character Arnie 46-24 Optical
Sale price$550.00
1 color available
Shady Character Arnie 44-22 Optical
Sale priceFrom $450.00
3 colors available
Shady Character James Dean Arnie Box Set 46-24
Sale price$1,100.00
2 colors available
Shady Character James Dean Arnie Box Set 46-22
Sale price$1,100.00
1 color available
Shady Character James Dean Arnie Box Set 44-24
Sale price$1,100.00
2 colors available
Shady Character James Dean Arnie Box Set 44-22
Sale price$1,100.00
1 color available
Shady Character Arnie 46-22 Sunglasses
Sale price$495.00
3 colors available
Why Shady Character at Visionary Optics?
Shady Character began in 1970s New York, founded by Linda Rae Tepper and Steve M Abrams of the Manhattan vintage shop The Ruby Slippers. Their frames were made to spec by Tart Optical, the workshop behind some of the era's most enduring American shapes. The label built its name on a James Dean collection, and today's frames are a revival licensed by the James Dean Estate, faithful to originals that are now rare collector pieces.
Every frame is handmade in Japan from Takiron cellulose acetate. The signature James Dean sets pair the Arnie frame with a sun clip built from titanium with 16K gold plated hardware, and the sun styles are fitted with Shima Optics lenses. The Box Set and Clip Set are released as numbered editions of 350, each a complete presentation of the frame and its clip.
Visionary Optics stocks Shady Character across our three NYC locations. Visit any of our shops for an in-person fitting, where our opticians can pair your frame with ZEISS precision lenses, with in-stock styles available for same-day pickup.
The Visionary Optics Difference
New York Origin, Made in Japan
Born in 1970s New York at The Ruby Slippers with frames by Tart Optical, now handmade in Japan from Takiron cellulose acetate.
Numbered Editions and 16K Gold Clips
The James Dean Box Set and Clip Set are numbered editions of 350, pairing the Arnie frame with a titanium sun clip with 16K gold plated hardware and Shima Optics lenses.
Expert Shady Character Fitting
Our opticians know the line's acetate construction and clip system and pair each frame with ZEISS precision lenses, with in-stock styles available for same-day pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shady Character?
Shady Character began in 1970s New York as the project of Linda Rae Tepper and Steve M Abrams, who ran a Manhattan vintage shop called The Ruby Slippers. They collected deadstock Tart Optical frames from the 1940s and 1950s, then persuaded Tart to produce original designs to their own specifications. The frames developed a following that has lasted decades, and the brand was later revived in Japan.
Where are Shady Character frames made?
The current collection is handmade in Sabae, Japan. Frames are cut from Takiron cellulose acetate, a cotton-based material that is harder and denser than standard acetate and holds color with more depth. The sun clips are titanium, finished with 16K gold plated hardware and fitted with Shima Optics lenses.
How much do Shady Character frames cost?
The Arnie frame on its own ranges from approximately $450 to $550. The Clip Set is approximately $800 and the James Dean Box Set is approximately $1,100. Both sets are released as numbered editions of 350.
What is the James Dean connection?
In the early 1980s Shady Character released an eyewear collection named for James Dean, based on the style of frame he was associated with. Production ended in the early 1990s following a licensing dispute, and because the run was so short, surviving original pairs became some of the most sought-after vintage frames of the era. The collection we carry today is a revival produced in Japan under license from the James Dean Estate.
What is in the numbered box set?
The Box Set and the Clip Set are each released as numbered editions of 350. Both pair the Arnie frame with a titanium sun clip finished in 16K gold plated hardware and fitted with Shima Optics lenses, presented together as a single collectible package. Colorways include Black and Indiana Brown, the latter a reference to Fairmount, Indiana, where James Dean grew up.
Do Shady Character frames come with lenses?
The sun clip supplied with the Box Set and the Clip Set is fitted with Shima Optics lenses. The frame itself ships with dummy lenses, so it arrives ready for you to add your own prescription rather than as a finished pair. At Visionary Optics we fit every Shady Character frame with ZEISS lenses, prescription or non-prescription, and most single vision prescriptions are ready the same day. We also fit progressive and specialty prescriptions.
Where can I buy Shady Character in NYC?
Visionary Optics is an authorized Shady Character retailer with three New York City locations: Upper East Side at 1409 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10075, Chelsea at 173 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10011, and Carroll Gardens at 315 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231. We carry the Arnie as a standard frame, as the Clip Set, and as the numbered James Dean Box Set, every frame is 100% authentic, and our opticians can guide you through fit and lens options. We also ship nationwide, with or without prescription lenses, so you can order from anywhere in the United States.
Can't Decide? Visit Us.
Nothing beats trying frames in person. Visit any of our three NYC locations and let our experts help you find your perfect pair.