First Look: Team Ikuzawa and Native Sons Launch "Ultimate Driving" Sunglasses
Handmade in Japan using Takiron acetate, titanium and Shima Optics lenses.
Summary
- “Ultimate Driving” sunglasses launch July 11, blending vintage motorsport style with modern craftsmanship
- Handmade in Japan using Takiron acetate, titanium and Shima Optics lenses
- Inspired by racing legends; the campaign features Nick Ashley and Tuthill Porsche 911K
Team Ikuzawa has partnered with Japanese eyewear specialist Native Sons to unveil the “Ultimate Driving” Sunglasses, launching July 11, 2025. Designed for both drivers and riders, the limited-edition frames — named “Tetsu” in tribute to racing legend Tetsu Ikuzawa — combine vintage motorsport aesthetics with modern functionality.
Each pair is made by hand, crafted in Fukui, Japan, using custom Takiron acetates, gold- and silver-plated titanium and Shima Optics lenses. Straight temples accommodate helmets, while lenses feature anti-reflective and hard coatings for optimal clarity and reduced fatigue.
The concept, led by Mai Ikuzawa, draws inspiration from legends like Senna, McQueen, Newman and Françoise Hardy, aiming to recapture an era where style met performance without compromise. “Aviators felt formulaic,” Ikuzawa explains, adding, “This frame had to evoke emotion.”
Creative director Tommy O’Gara of Native Sons co-developed the design, while the campaign features British racer and designer Nick Ashley and was shot by acclaimed fashion photographer Frederike Helwig. Adding to the campaign’s allure is a cameo by a Tuthill Porsche 911K — a $1,100,000 USD, sub-850kg carbon-bodied vehicle that revs to 11,000 rpm. Together, the sunglasses and campaign celebrate independent spirit, heritage craftsmanship and a lifelong passion for speed.
More details will be available soon via Team Ikuzawa’s official site.
