About Costalots by M. Costa

DESTINY IN A DOLLAR BIN

The Costalots journey began in a dusty bin in a dollar store in North Carolina back in 2003. You know that feeling, when you're out looking for nothing in particular and you happen across something sings to you? You don't quite know what it means, but it resonates with you on some plane and you're not quite sure why. It's a ball of impulse, confusion, want, of adventure almost, and it's a pretty beautiful feeling.

In that bargain store in NC, I found a pair of old safety glasses that gave me all those feels. They were there, complete with ultra-thick lenses. I bought them, it was only a dollar, but I had to have the in a metaphysical sense. I didn't quite no what to do them, so I put them in a box. I forgot about them for awhile.

XXXXXXXXX

As time goes, you move, you grow, you see new places, experience more things, consider more possibilities. You discover yourself, you forget, you reinvent. You travel through life with some of your stuff, and your memories.

I ended up later in New York, and worked in the fashion biz for awhile. For whatever reason, I just started noticing eyewear more. I don't need glasses for seeing, but whatever, I just thought there could be more alternatives. Think about how many people wear the same Ray Bans everyone else does. In the capital of the world, shouldn't more people have more options to express themselves and their values? I guess maybe they were, but I just thought there could be more.

GIVING IS THE BEST GETTING. MAKING IS THE BEST GIVING.

When you make and give, it always feels better than bought and given. Your friend's are unique, cool people you appreciate. If your lucky they inspire you. An inspiring friend of mine had a birthday coming up, and no one I know wants to give or get shit store-bought gifts, and with my odd eyewear fascination, I started wondering about those old safety spectacles again.

I went back in that box of things and found the dollar store frames. I broke out the thick lenses, and brought the frames to an optician who fitted some sunglass lenses in. I got them back and I was stoked. I gave them, and she was stoked. 

SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOT TO GO FOR IT

I live in a world of distractions and half-started projects and parts, I obviously wondered could I be on to something with this sunglass thing? I pushed ahead. I figured out where to source some frames, got the lenses fitted, and eventually got picked up for a trade show. Then a couple of shops. And Costalots was real and growing. I kept going, learning, refining and making.

I've fucked up some things, blew some money, lived with self-doubt, tried to navigate the process, but it's all been invaluable. The "failures" only made my products better. The experiments only made me wiser. Listening to those who've enjoyed my products has been incredibly fulfilling. Being able to make for a living is a blessing.

IT's TOTALLY WORTH IT

It's been an amazing journey from the dollar bin of destiny to now.

Today, Costalots operates out of my little studio in Oakland CA. All the lines of glasses I currently sell have been designed by me. All of the colored frames are dyed by me, some of them get sandblasted, and I cut and fit all of the lenses myself.

It's crazy to think about, but over the years, I've sold 1000s of sunglasses to awesome people across the globe. I've been selling online here since 20??, and am carried by some of the most happening shops in the world's coolest cities.

It's a trip, and an honor to have provided so many with an provide awesome people with the experience an everyday product that has the highest qualities of quality; craftsmanship, character, utility, beauty, attention to detail, singularity and longevity.

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about Costalots. It's truly appreciated.

Matt Costa.