Westward Leaning Is Joining the Jaxy Family

A new chapter for two brands who believe great eyewear should mean something.

We're thrilled to share that Westward Leaning has officially joined Jaxy Eyewear.

For over a decade, Westward Leaning has stood for something rare in the eyewear industry: the radical idea that a pair of sunglasses could carry a story. Founded in 2012 in San Francisco by Robert Denning and Karlygash Burkitbayeva, two Stanford MBAs with a shared conviction that fashion and social purpose didn't have to live in separate worlds, Westward Leaning grew into one of the most distinctive independent eyewear brands of its generation.

The Pioneer 01 wayfarer. The signature rhombus inlay. The redwood, the sea glass, the marble, the gold — each material chosen not for ornament, but as a quiet tribute to a person, place, or cause worth remembering. Their Teddy Roosevelt frame, made with antlers auctioned by the Boy Scouts to benefit the National Parks, perfectly captured the brand's ethos: the material is the message.

That philosophy is exactly why we wanted to bring Westward Leaning into the Jaxy family.

Why this matters to us

At Jaxy, we've always believed eyewear should do more than sit on your face. It should fit beautifully, feel intentional, and earn its place in your life. Westward Leaning has lived that idea longer and more thoughtfully than almost anyone in our category. Their commitment to handcrafted quality, universal fit, and design that tells a story is a heritage we don't take lightly — and one we're honored to carry forward.

We were fans long before we were owners. The team at Westward Leaning built something genuinely original: socially conscious eyewear that earned a place at Net-a-Porter, Nordstrom, Barneys, Opening Ceremony, and Revolve, while keeping its soul intact. That's not easy. That's a real legacy.

What happens next

Over the coming months, we'll be gradually phasing out the Westward Leaning brand and integrating its most beloved products, design language, and storytelling into Jaxy Eyewear. This isn't a retirement — it's a continuation. The frames that defined Westward Leaning will live on in our lineup, alongside new Jaxy designs inspired by everything we've learned from this incredible brand.

For longtime Westward Leaning customers: nothing you love is going away. The craftsmanship, the thoughtfulness, the attention to fit and finish — all of it travels with us. You'll just find it under a new name, alongside a wider range of styles and price points designed to bring great eyewear to more people.

For Jaxy customers: get ready. Some of the most beautiful frames we've ever offered are coming your way, carrying a decade of design heritage with them.

A thank you

To the entire Westward Leaning community — thank you. Thank you for proving that an independent brand could build something truly luxurious, truly meaningful, and truly its own. We will treat what you built with the care it deserves.

To everyone who has ever owned a pair of Westward Leaning sunglasses: welcome to Jaxy. We can't wait to show you what's next.

With gratitude and excitement,
The Jaxy Eyewear Team

Have questions about your Westward Leaning order, warranty, or what's coming next? Reach out to us anytime at westwardleaning@getjaxy.com