Óptica Quevedo and the New Language of Independent Eyewear in Mexico

Built on more than two decades of optical experience, Óptica Quevedo combines independent eyewear, specialist knowledge and a distinctly creative approach to retail.

In independent eyewear, curation has become an increasingly common promise. But building a meaningful selection requires more than access to sought-after brands ,it requires an understanding of frames, lenses and the people who wear them.

For Elias Patiño, the idea behind Óptica Quevedo emerged from more than 20 years in the optical industry. His experience included distributing eyewear brands across Mexico, managing stores and working closely with optometrists on prescription frames. Throughout that time, eyewear remained both a profession and a personal interest.

In 2021, Elias partnered with Rodrigo, a Mexico City-based artist and photographer who had also been a long-standing client and friend. The partnership later expanded to include Super and Colours, two Mexican creative agencies specialising in strategy, experiential marketing and talent management.

The combination of optical knowledge and creative direction shaped Óptica Quevedo’s first store in Monterrey. At just 40 square metres, the space was modest, but its selection introduced the city to an unusual concentration of independent and design-led eyewear. Jacques Marie Mage, Matsuda, Eyevan, Cutler and Gross, AHLEM, Akoni and MYKITA were among the names represented.

Expansion into Mexico City followed with a two-storey location in the Juárez neighbourhood, housed within an old building on Londres Street. A third space later opened in Roma Norte, extending the retailer’s presence into another of the capital’s most design-conscious neighbourhoods.

Despite their architectural differences, the stores follow the same operating philosophy. Interiors are carefully considered, music is treated as part of the atmosphere and the sales teams are expected to understand both frames and lenses. The objective is not simply to introduce customers to unfamiliar brands, but to identify the right proportions, materials and optical solutions for each individual.

Today, Óptica Quevedo’s brand mix includes MYKITA, Tejesta, Jacques Marie Mage, RIGARDS, Eyevan, Matsuda, Akoni, AHLEM, Moscot, Cutler and Gross, and District Vision.

The breadth of the portfolio is significant, but the retailer’s positioning depends on how those brands are presented. Rather than treating independent eyewear as a collection of recognisable names, Óptica Quevedo places the product within a wider experience that connects technical guidance, personal style and contemporary culture.

Its development reflects the continued relevance of specialist optical retail. As customers gain access to more brands online, physical stores have to offer something that a product page cannot: informed comparison, accurate fitting and a point of view about what deserves space on the shelf.