YakBlak Sunnies & Specs originally known as YakBlak Vintage Sunnies was started the summer of 2007 by friends Yacira "Yak" Valdez and Carlos-Ameen "Blak" Jureidini-Cully. The duo met in 2005 on the dance floor of a party; the details of how they met and who out danced who varies depending on whom you ask.
Both Yacira's and Carlos-Ameen's love affair with vintage eyewear began prior to meeting in 2005. As time went on they continued to bump into each other and always admired each other’s vintage eyewear. The common interest instantly created a bond and the seed for YakBlak Sunnies & Specs was sewn.
In 2007, Carlos-Ameen stumbled upon a variety store owned by a Cuban merchant selling damaged vintage eyewear. Carlos, knowing what they were, pulled the owner aside and asked “how many pairs of glasses do you have?” and “can I buy them all?” The owner responded, "come back with some real money and we can talk".
Carlos knew this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He immediately spoke to Yacira and her response confirmed she was as enthusiastic as he, so he asked her to be his business partner.
According to the merchant there was another buyer interested in purchasing the glasses and this motivated the duo to quickly pool their money together to ensure no one else beat them to the punch. Two days later they purchased the entire stock, approximately 6,000 glasses, without any prior knowledge of how to repair them and YakBlak was born.
With the goal of introducing YakBlak Sunnies & Specs at the 2008 Dance Africa Festival, Yacira and Carlos spent the next year sorting through box after box of old, misaligned, filthy glasses. All of the blood, sweat, tears and long traveling from Jamaica Queens to Inwood Manhattan paid off. Giving life to thousands of sunnies that would have otherwise ended up in the waste stream, with a beautiful street vending display made entirely from up-cycled plywood and marketing tools made of up-cycled & recycled materials, their debut was a success. They were blown away by the positive response.
Both Carlos and Yacira are thrifters. They love to hunt for quality old items that have the potential of being brought back to life. The detail and workmanship found in these older objects inspires them. This is the foundation of their core tenant and motto “What’s Old is New”
Both Yacira's and Carlos-Ameen's love affair with vintage eyewear began prior to meeting in 2005. As time went on they continued to bump into each other and always admired each other’s vintage eyewear. The common interest instantly created a bond and the seed for YakBlak Sunnies & Specs was sewn.
In 2007, Carlos-Ameen stumbled upon a variety store owned by a Cuban merchant selling damaged vintage eyewear. Carlos, knowing what they were, pulled the owner aside and asked “how many pairs of glasses do you have?” and “can I buy them all?” The owner responded, "come back with some real money and we can talk".
Carlos knew this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He immediately spoke to Yacira and her response confirmed she was as enthusiastic as he, so he asked her to be his business partner.
According to the merchant there was another buyer interested in purchasing the glasses and this motivated the duo to quickly pool their money together to ensure no one else beat them to the punch. Two days later they purchased the entire stock, approximately 6,000 glasses, without any prior knowledge of how to repair them and YakBlak was born.
With the goal of introducing YakBlak Sunnies & Specs at the 2008 Dance Africa Festival, Yacira and Carlos spent the next year sorting through box after box of old, misaligned, filthy glasses. All of the blood, sweat, tears and long traveling from Jamaica Queens to Inwood Manhattan paid off. Giving life to thousands of sunnies that would have otherwise ended up in the waste stream, with a beautiful street vending display made entirely from up-cycled plywood and marketing tools made of up-cycled & recycled materials, their debut was a success. They were blown away by the positive response.
Both Carlos and Yacira are thrifters. They love to hunt for quality old items that have the potential of being brought back to life. The detail and workmanship found in these older objects inspires them. This is the foundation of their core tenant and motto “What’s Old is New”
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