STYLE : FASHION : Precious Metals

Designed by a small company in Culver City and handcrafted in Japan, new Kata eye wear was inspired by some of the most elemental forms found in nature. Six different frames feature twig, leaf, stone, fish or lizard shapes; they come in brown, gold, green, burgundy, blue or pewter-colored metal and have earpieces of faux stone. Gold and platinum versions will debut this month. More of these simple but eye-catching frames are in the works, but Blake Kuwahara, head of Kata’s three-person design team, is keeping the theme of the next collection a secret. Kata frames are available at the Optical Shop of Aspen on Melrose Avenue and in Newport Beach, Clayton Franklin & Co. in Bel-Air, Optics by Victor in Beverly Hills and Italee Optometric Center on Vermont Avenue. Prices range from $215 to $335.