New Lab store shades the rays stylishly

Andrew Edwards

Nothing creates coolness in the eyes of some like a suave pair of

shades.

Eye Five is a new sunglasses shop at the Lab in Costa Mesa geared

to customers looking for boutique eyewear. Owner Todd Moore’s goal

is to sell gear that can’t be found at South Coast Plaza or Fashion

Island.

“We’re trying to offer something a little bit different,” Moore

said at Eye Five, where the walls are lined with designer shades.

Eye Five offers designs by companies like Paul Frank, Dita and

Blinde, the company that designed the sunglasses used in the Matrix

series.

Moore said he was drawn to the Lab’s hip image, and he hopes his

place will acquire same kind of cachet boutique shops in Los Angeles

have.

“It’s sort of like L.A.,” Moore said. “You don’t go to the Beverly

Center. You go to the streets. You go to La Brea. You go to

Robinson.”

Moore has 10 years of experience in the sunglasses business. A

former brand manager for Stussy eyewear, Moore was also co-owner of

Paul Frank and Stussy shops in San Francisco. Eye Five, Moore’s first

solo venture, was named for his family.

“The store is Eye Five because I have a wife and three kids, a

family of five,” Moore said.

Eye Five opened Dec. 28, and so far the shop’s staff is Moore and

one employee. He’s encouraged by his first few weeks in business.

Part of Moore’s fascination with chic sunglasses stems from the

idea that two dark lenses and a frame can let their wearer express

various personality traits, he said. Different shades can make

someone look sexy, nerdy or have a “rock star” edge.

“They’re obviously functional, in blocking the sun, but obviously,

there’s style too,” Moore said. “Not so much fashion trends, but

style.”

Moore’s TV-watching habits are even influenced by the sunglasses

worn by the characters.

“I like watching ‘Alias,’ obviously because of Jennifer Garner,

but also the shades and style,” he said.