Born from a desire to completely disrupt the traditional optical market, GAST Eyewear was founded in 2019 by Creative Director Mattia Gastaldo. The brand's philosophy is rooted in offering luxurious, high-end designs at highly accessible, "anti-industry" prices. Drawing deep inspiration from the dynamic, urban energy of its hometown, the label aims to blend diverse cultural influences into bold, contemporary silhouettes without the massive retail markups normally associated with independent optics. Serving as a striking alternative to the massive eyewear conglomerates, the company is proudly based in Milan, Italy.
GAST focuses heavily on premium raw materials and rigorous construction standards. They rely extensively on industry-leading cellulose acetate sourced directly from Mazzucchelli in Italy, increasingly incorporating their M49 eco-friendly, biodegradable bioplastics into the lineup. Their production process involves over fifty individual steps, from precisely cutting the raw acetate sheets to the final hand-polishing and installing their signature semi-flat, anti-reflective nylon lenses. While they are fully transparent about their Milanese roots and the Italian origin of their premium acetate, they currently do not disclose the specific country where their frames are ultimately manufactured.