Behind the Design - Blur with Jay Davies.
Jay Davies does a whole lot more than surf. Known for charging wild West Oz slabs and throwing even wilder airs, he’s also an obsessed golfer and fisherman, loves camping and fashion and so much more. That varied lifestyle means he demands a lot from his gear.
So when it came to designing his latest signature frames with the OTIS team, he wanted them to do everything. To transition from one thing to the next, hold up, and throw a little style in there too. Something that pushes fashion, but is also perfect for outdoors, and looking at the ocean, and chasing fish around
Called Blur, they’re all about honest design that delivers the goods no matter what you’re doing. No distractions.
“My vision for Blur was a wrap that didn't look overbuilt,” says Jay. “A timeless, clean, everyday nod to the wrap gods that we used to see throughout the 90s.”
Blur actually evolved from an existing style in the OTIS range, that Jay was wearing a bunch, but was moulding to look different with tape.
“I was wearing Coastin Slims pretty much as my everyday pair of sunnies. Loved the fit and the eight-base wrap, but I didn't really like to go to the pub in them. I just started playing around with some blast tape and started like kind of molding it. And that's where we've changed from this blockier frame into a more sleek design.”
A lot of the time when someone does a ‘signature’ style with brands, they simply pick from existing options the designers present them and put their name on it. This isn’t the case with Jay. Being the guy he is, he loves the details, being involved and actually collaborating on the evolution of how things turn out.
“The whole process working with the team at OTIS was a pleasure,” says Jay. “It kind of ignited things that I hadn't really done throughout my time. I've done a lot in the industry, but not behind in the office and the creativity side. So, it was really such a pleasure and something that I really want to continue to do.”
With the way things turned out this time, we can’t wait for the next vision as well. Jay put it best when he reflects on what Blur offers him.
“This is the pair I'll wear literally for everything. It's just an everyday wear and you don't get sick of them.”
To shop Blur, head here. Available in Black, Stone and Turf frame colour options, featuring OTIS’s mineral glass lenses. Lightweight, highly durable, built for anything.