A Conversation with Nathaniel Wood

Comfort to me means not having a care in the world.

Warmth emanates from Columbian born Nathaniel. Adopted as a child, his engaging personality reflects a lifetime of living life to the fullest and pushing himself to achieve his dreams. Competitive yet compassionate, Nathaniel is one of six and a huge sports enthusiast. Most weekends you can find Nathaniel lining up some recreational sport or jumping on his comfy green couch to cheer on his favorite Phily team. As part of the Vari line up, Nathaniel effortlessly sports some of the most popular unisex frames with super star style and shares his thoughts on life and comfort.

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I was raised in Philadelphia and I am one of 6 kids and a die-hard Philly Flyer Fan.

Q: Where do you live now??
A: I spend a lot of my time in New York these days, acting and modeling.

Q: Vari is all about supporting the yin and yang of our lives and the multiple facets of who we are – you are an accomplished model and actor – if you weren’t either of these – what would have been your alternate career path or hobby turned passion
A: I’ve always been into sports, in fact I had planned to be a professional athlete. I went to college at West Point and played special teams until I got sidelined with an injury and had to rethink my career.

Q: When you step outside of your comfort zone – where do you go?  This is kind of your alter ego…. 
A: When I was younger it wasn’t so easy for me to make friends. My sister was so out-going but I was more shy and reserved. Getting into acting enabled me to really step outside of my comfort zone. It is all about expressing yourself and has been such a life-long, ever continuing, growth process for me.

Q; What is your favorite comfort food?  
A: Can you say P I Z Z A – ever since I was little, there is just something so comforting about grabbing a few slices whether on the go, or watching TV. I honestly think to date, I haven’t met a pizza I didn’t like.

Q: When you are dressed in your most comfortable outfit – what are you wearing?
A: Anything sports related, I just like kicking back and watching the game!

Q: Where is your “happy place”
A: I’ve got this crazy “green couch” that I sit on when I am watching sports at home.

Q: When you hear the word “comfort” what do you think of or feel? 
A: To me, being comfortable is not having a care in the world and being around people you love, and I try to do that as often as I can.                                                                                                           

Sometimes the simplest idea is the best idea.

With over 40 years of experience in the eyewear industry, Väri founders Rich Baum and Clif Browner understand that exceptional eyewear goes beyond just style—it’s all about comfort and clarity. From their Port Washington office, they created Väri Eyewear with a mission to redefine what eyewear can be, focusing on what many brands often overlook: making frames that feel as good as they look.

Designed by opticians, Väri frames are meticulously crafted to tackle common fit issues, ensuring glasses that won’t pinch or slide. Using only the highest-quality materials, we produce flexible, lightweight frames built to last. As Clif puts it, “We focus on every detail to make wearing Väri feel effortless.”

At Väri, we believe that comfort and clarity go hand in hand. Our commitment to crystal-clear vision means we champion the vital role of eye care professionals in the eyewear purchasing process. While you can easily buy your frames online, we encourage you to visit your local eye care professional for a comprehensive exam. This collaboration ensures your prescription is 100% accurate, allowing you to enjoy both outstanding eye health and unparalleled comfort.

Our customers often describe wearing Väri as “coming home”—a perfect blend of comfort, style, and clear vision. With over 21 collections and countless colors, there’s a Väri frame for every face, every lifestyle, and every occasion.

 Väri: Where Comfort and Clarity Meet.