Latif Yahya: The Visionary Behind Wisdom Eyewear

Born in Brooklyn, raised in Stone Mountain, GA, and currently making waves globally, Latif Yahya is not just a designer—he’s a creator of worlds. From his vibrant art pieces to his bold eyewear, Latif is rewriting the rules of self-expression. His designs have landed on the shelves of Nordstrom, in galleries, and on faces everywhere, but Latif’s journey is far deeper than the accolades. It’s about storytelling, identity, and a little bit of faith in the universe.

How It All Began

In 2014, with a “janky laptop” and a Wacom tablet, Latif sketched his first iconic creation—Afrosaiyans, a fresh take on Black Super Saiyans. “The responses online let me know I had something,” he says. From there, his passion for bold, unapologetic designs only grew. His art wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about perspective—about seeing life through a lens of creativity, play, and culture.

Landing in Nordstrom: A Hustle Meets a Dream

For Latif, making it into Nordstrom wasn’t luck—it was preparation meeting faith. Inspired by the book The Game of Life and How to Play It, he embraced the mantra, “Dig your ditches.” He explains, “It means prepare for the rain even when there’s no sign of it.” That preparation led to opportunities, like speaking on a Neiman Marcus panel, which caught the eye of a Nordstrom buyer. The rest is history—or, as Latif puts it, “a dream come true.”

The World He’s Creating

Through his eyewear and art, Latif channels his inner child. “Bold colors and shapes represent the kid Latif within me,” he says. “As a kid, we don't know the value of a Rolex we see on our fathers wrist. As children we take the Rolex off our dads dresser, color on it with crayons and run around the house pretending to be an adult. That’s the world I create—a world where adults are born kids. That’s Wisdom.”

A Vision for the Future

Wisdom Eyewear isn’t just about glasses—it’s about a movement. Whether designing bold frames, exploring jewelry, or dreaming up new creative ventures, Latif is driven by the belief that everyone has a unique perspective worth sharing. And he’s not stopping anytime soon. His vision for Wisdom? “It’s wrapped in chrome and flying in a UFO,” he says with a laugh.

From Atlanta to Nordstrom to wherever the future takes him, Latif Yahya is proving that creativity, authenticity, and a little bit of audacity can go a long way.

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What’s the best way for people to purchase your artwork and eyewear?

Hit me directly to buy my art @Latifyahyaa (IG). You can buy Wisdom Frames from Wisdomatl.com or goto your local Nordstrom in Atlanta at Phipps Plaza, 57th St Nordstrom Flashship in NYC & at The Grove in LA + online at Nordstrom.com & Shopbop.com

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‍If you could design eyewear for anyone—dead or alive—who would it be and why?

I would design eyewear for Jim Carey. Because together we can decide what the universe truly is. This isn’t just about eyewear—it’s about a vision that’s reshaping style one frame, one painting, one bold move at a time. Stay tuned.

What inspired you to start designing eyewear, and how does it connect to your art?

Perspective. I’ve always created from a place of sharing perspective. I feel everyone is a reflection of god. An angel of light. Every individual Is seeing life from a different perspective and it’s our job to share that experience.

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Can you walk us through the moment you saw your work in Nordstrom for the first time? What did that feel like?

I walked in Nordstrom at The Grove in LA with my Bro Chico. Seeing Wisdom stocked on the shelves was a dream come true tbh. Felt like this was one of many first times I will continue to experience in this life.

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You’ve showcased your work in some incredible spaces—what’s been the most memorable experience so far?

At my moms house

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What challenges did you face in bringing your eyewear brand to life, and how did you overcome them?

Overcoming the long delays of overseas production. I took my first sample pair of glasses and posted pictures of all my friends in them. That boosted the value of the frames because it seemed like everybody had a pair.

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If you could collaborate with any designer, artist, or brand, who would it be and why?

I would collab with Crash Bandicoot because we are one in the same.

Story editor: Jelan Kendrick

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