Faces of Downtown: Optical

Some people support downtown by talking about it. Others do it by building something inside of it, day by day, idea by idea.

Emilio is one of those people.

Optical started from a lifelong love of clothing and art, back when the pieces Emilio admired felt distant and out of reach. Instead of letting that gap discourage him, it became fuel. That longing turned into curiosity, then creation. Over time, passion transformed into practice, and practice became Optical, a brand rooted in personal expression and a deep belief that Bakersfield’s creative scene deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated.

Watching Optical’s progression has been an amazing process. Each step forward feels intentional, earned, and honest. There is an intrinsic motivation behind the brand that is impossible to replicate or take away. It is the kind of drive that keeps someone creating even when no one is watching. That internal commitment to the work is powerful, and it is what gives Optical its staying power.

Optical is not just something Emilio runs downtown. It is something that has grown alongside it. Many of the ideas behind the brand come from everyday moments, sitting at Dagny’s with a sketchbook, conversations that turn into concepts, people watching, and letting the rhythm of the city shape the work. Downtown Bakersfield is not simply a backdrop for Optical. It is part of the creative process itself.

When someone wears Optical, Emilio wants them to feel comfortable and confident. The pieces are meant to feel natural, like an extension of the person wearing them. There is pride in that simplicity, pride in wearing something that reflects where you are from and the hands that made it.

To Emilio, Optical is deeply personal. It is not just clothing. It is an experience. Film, photography, and collaboration are central to the brand, intentionally bringing other Bakersfield creatives into the fold. By working with artists like Garrett, Moonbeam, and Vlask, Optical creates space for shared visibility, mutual support, and collective growth within the downtown arts community.

Each collection reflects a moment in time, a chapter of growth. The work is honest and sometimes vulnerable, showing not only the evolution of the brand, but the evolution of the people behind it. There is a quiet confidence in allowing the work to speak for itself.

Optical plays an instrumental role in downtown Bakersfield’s arts scene by showing what local, independent creativity can look like when it is nurtured instead of rushed. This is not merch. It is not trend chasing. It is a long term vision built on quality, intention, creativity, and community.

Faces of Downtown exists to highlight the people who are actively shaping Bakersfield’s cultural landscape. Optical represent’s a generation of creatives investing in downtown with real presence, collaboration, and care.

This is why we are highlighting Optical. Downtown is not just made of buildings. It is made of people who show up, stay committed, and keep creating. Keep in touch with Optical, keep supporting local artists like Emilio, and let us continue building a downtown Bakersfield that thrives through creativity.