OUR EXPERTS
A handpicked brand portfolio pairs with expert service and assistance from our fashion forward staff. Our knowledgeable team of fully licensed opticians is always on hand and ready to fill prescriptions and customize lenses.
Irwin Eve
Irwin is originally from Southern California. He attended UCSB and met Salli (the co-owner) there. He also did graduate work at the University of Tennessee and is proud to be a Volunteer. He worked as an audiologist for six years at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Irwin and Salli opened the first Occhiali in January 1988. He loves being back in Santa Barbara. When not at work, one will probably find Irwin golfing.
Salli Eve
Salli is co-owner of Occhiali with her husband, Irwin. They met at UCSB and after living on the east coast for a few years, returned to Santa Barbara, opened Occhiali and have happily become a part of the community; making lifelong friends, and raising their two children.
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Though native to South Pasadena, Amber has lived in Santa Barbara since 2013, when she left home to attend UCSB. It was there she studied biopsychology and developed her interest in visual perception and optics. Since 2016 she has worked as an optician, marrying her fashion sense with the science and function of eyewear. Outside of work, Amber has varied hobbies including crafting, gardening, and cooking. She is an elated member of the Occhiali family.
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Erin has worked for Occhiali since 2002, but has been an optician since 1994, working for both eye doctors and high-end boutiques. She has been enjoying working on her new home in Oak View with her husband Rich. She also enjoys volunteering at the Ojai animal shelter, practicing yoga, and spoiling her Australian Shepard, Riley.
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Loren has been with Occhiali since 2004 and began managing our downtown location in 2009. Loren grew up in Goleta and graduated from Dos Pueblos High, has a film degree from San Francisco State, and studied Speech and Hearing at Portland State. Loren returned to Santa Barbara to be part of the Occhiali family. In his off time you can probably find him out surfing Rincon with friends.
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Nikki grew up in Seattle, moved to Santa Barbara in high school, and graduated from Dos Pueblos High School. She went to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA and worked in the fashion industry for many years including owning a clothing boutique with her mom in SB until falling into eyewear. She became a licensed optician in 2011 and was a luxury eyewear buyer. She had her first daughter in 2018 and shortly after moved to Maryland for a few years. After having her second daughter she came back to the west coast and is extremely happy to be back. When she’s not at Occhiali, she’s having fun with her family.
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While Sam is our newest licensed optician at Occhiali Eyewear, she’s grown up popping in and out of the store - delivering cupcakes and taking photos for the Occhiali Instagram account. New Jersey-born and Santa Barbara-raised, Sam graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama before returning home to start her own non-profit community theatre company. When she’s not at work, she’s likely running around crafting props and coordinating rehearsal schedules.
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Suzi is a local native of Santa Barbara. From a young age, she worked in Montecito's retail and hospitality industry—a niche community that holds a very special place in her heart. Her love of fashion and the arts inspired her to work in high end boutiques, eventually landing her a role with the Occhiali team in 2016. When she's not chasing her two kids around at the beach, she enjoys hiking and playing tennis.