With their timeless and imaginative styles, Ray-Ban has consistently blended high-tech design, lenses and materials. The collection remains true to its classic heritage while continuously evolving to meet today’s fashion demands. Ray-Ban® is the world’s best-known eyewear brand and is a global leader in its sector. All models in the Ray-Ban collection are products of meticulous, original styling that translate the best of the latest fashion trends into an ever-contemporary look for millions of Ray-Ban wearers around the world.
You see my horse’s neck and ears and feel the effort he puts into each stride. I wish however that the video could be longer than 30 seconds especially when I am going over jumps on a course that takes two minutes or so to complete. But that is something that might be in the works should these smart glasses take off. Facebook dearly wants to avoid following Google Glass, whose users were infamously dubbed “Glassholes”, and foisting an AR device on a world that isn’t ready for it.
Movie culture kept the public profile high and the Wayfarer put in an appearance in ‘The Blues Brothers’ and ‘Risky Business’ . The original Aviator had a strong resurgence when Tom Cruise sported a pair in ‘Top Gun’ , taking the model back into the heart of its original aerodynamic roots. Several years previously, B&L had been asked to develop special lenses designed to limit glare experienced by pilots in the Army Air Corps. Based on its military product, B&L creates similar glasses for use by the general public. With the Dior Polarized Square Sunglasses, you’re guaranteed clear, unblurred vision.
Most also have a serial number on the inside of the left temple, unless they are thin metal frames. A small one is provided in the case, and extras are available online in multi-packs. As with all these sunglasses, some customers felt they had received poor quality counterfeits. Comes in a variety of colors, including the classic mirrored version. Designed for pilots in 1937, these are possibly the most iconic sunglasses in the world.
In addition to devising new Ray-Ban models in the 70s, B&L were also breaking further new ground in lens design. A lens for mountaineers featured mirrored lenses, as well as leather side shields to cut out the wind, whilst the Ambermatic lens , was photosensitive, darkening and lightening in response to the strength of the light. It also gave fantastic definition to outlines and shadows, making it a fabulous choice for snow sports activities. After decades of producing its famous sunglasses, including the Wayfarer and Aviator brands, B&L make the decision to sell the eyewear division to the Luxottica company.
At the start of the 60s, Ray-Ban had 30 models in its range, but along with the explosion in fashion, popular culture and celebrity adoration, B&L expanded their catalogue hugely over the decade. The attraction of Hollywood’s silver screen was fast becoming the ultimate trend dictator and Ray-Ban Wayfarer was soon being worn, both an and off the screen, by the most stratospheric clubmaster of superstars. Sported by the likes of James Dean in ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ , and later by Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, the Wayfarer became the sunglasses of choice for multitudes of film fans the world over. Pilots reported that the high levels of glare they experienced as they flew high and fast were leading to vision problems, headaches and altitude sickness.
The advent of World War II called for further innovation in the development of sunglass technology. The Aviator was still used by the military for its pilots and B&L continued to improve the design to meet the needs of these high-performing pilots. In 1938 B&L released the Ray-Ban Shooter, specifically designed for rifle users, with a choice of green or yellow lenses. The yellow lenses were especially useful as they filtered out blue light, enhancing detail and minimising haze, so making it much easier for users to operate in misty conditions. The design also included a so-called ‘cigarette circle’ centre which allowed the wearer to keep both hands free, which has become the Shooter’s signature feature. The following year the plastic frames were replaced by metal ones.
It went on to buy Erroca for €20 million and Oakley for US$2.1 billion, making it by far the largest eyeglass company on the world. After the enforced austerity of the war years, it was perhaps inevitable that the 50s became the era of high glamour. Despite the enduring popularity of the Aviator, B&L decided it was time to take advantage of the new synthetic materials available and create a design with a different appeal. This involved providing glare-reducing coating at the top of the lens but leaving the lower area untreated so that pilots could view their instruments clearly and easily.
However, it was considered that the term ‘anti-glare’ wasn’t sufficiently striking enough to sum up the appeal of these new glasses. So the term ‘Ray-Ban’ was adopted instead, along with the Aviator tag as a nod to the aviation link. Following several experiments, the prototype sunglasses with plastic frames and green lenses were produced in 1936. The invention of the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator brand has its roots in the meteoric rise of the power of flight.
Celebrating 50 years of Sunglass Hut with new collaborations and exclusive styles by our most-loved brands. Ray-Ban Stories Discover the first generation of Ray-Ban smart glasses, available at Sunglass Hut.