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. In many ways it seemed almost inevitable clubmaster that Ray-Ban would end up in the hands of Luxottica. Founded by Italian Leonardo Del Vecchio in 1961, Luxottica began life in Agordo and is currently located in Milan.
It’s a bold, fashion-forward style, but if you’re looking for something more modern than the Wayfarer and you never, ever want to look like Tom Cruise from a distance, these might be right up your alley. The difference between the Outdoorsman and its sequel mainly lies in the temples. Whereas the original’s temples are made of metal and wrap around the ear 180 degrees, the Outdoorsman II only goes about 90 degrees and is padded with acetate which matches the brow bar. Gildan’s are soft, feature arch support and don’t lose their shape after a few wears. It’s difficult to name another piece of clothing more important — at least to my wardrobe — than a Levi’s Trucker Jacket.
If a company has been thriving for years, it’s safe to say they probably make pretty good stuff. Ray-Ban has been making functional and cool eyewear for over 80 years. Today, the brand still offers some of the best sunglasses on the market.
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. This naturally reduced their ability to function at the high levels needed clubmaster for military action. In 1981 B&L decides to stop manufacturing prescription eyeglass lenses and frames. 4,800 of the local employees are laid off (comprising around 17% of the workforce), with a further 500 jobs ending in 1982.
Another design born in the 1960s, the Olympian sunglasses are sleek and sophisticated, as at home with a dark suit as they are with a bathing suit and dripping with midcentury panache. Add in Ray-Ban’s classic G-15 lenses and shiny gold-tone frames and you’ll look like a walking tourism ad for the sub-tropical locale you wish you were already in. These might not wear as easily as a lot of the styles Ray-Ban sells but they definitely have some sporty throwback appeal. If you’re really into 1960s-style wraparound shades, the ultra-lightweight nylon frames and classic G-15 lenses don’t leave much to be desired. An easy way to take your sunglasses to the next level seems to be to mix acetate with metal, pretty much exactly like the Round Fleck sunglasses. The round frames combine the two materials deftly and the result is dripping in style.