Ray-Ban: Stylish and Iconic Glasses

History

Founded in 1936 by a company operating as Bausch and Lomb, from Rochester, New York. Ray-Ban has been a staple of the classic and retro style integral to America over the years.

Stepping back a little further to 1929, the US Army Air Corps were working with Bausch and Lomb to create aviation sunglasses for the pilots to counteract the glaring sun and hues of the sky. This is where the name Ray-Ban originated from, the ability to limit the ingress of the ultra-violet or infra-red rays protecting the pilot’s view gave fruition to the name.

1939 saw a redesign that featured a metal frame along with a patent. The Ray-Ban Aviator was born. These used Kalichrome lenses designed to sharpen details and minimise haze

Hollywood was having an effect on what people wore and considered fashionable. In 1952 the Wayfarer was launched, and 1955’s Rebel without a Cause featured James Dean in a pair. Followed by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). This made having a pair of elegant Ray-Bans a necessity.

Then in 1999, the Global Eyewear Division of Bausch and Lomb was acquired by Luxottica Group for $640 million. The Italian company has added style and class to the Ray-Ban brand, making it a household name globally. Ray-Ban now offers a wider variety of stylish sunglasses than ever before, including nearly one hundred models for men and women.

While style and a connection to culture are key to Ray-Ban’s success, technology has always driven the brand. The origin of Ray-Ban lies in a technological response to a challenge facing pilots over 75 years ago and Ray-Ban continues to embrace technology as it develops new models for the future.

Movie/TV Features

Classic Aviators on practically everyone in the movie Top Gun. The design attempts to cover the entire field of vision of the human eye and significantly reduce the amount of transmitted visible light and (near) infrared radiation and prevent (erythemal) ultraviolet radiation from entering the eye from any angle. Responsible for making nearly every male want to join the airforce to fly a jet.

Leonardo DiCaprio lived the high life with Ray-Ban RB4147s in The Wolf of Wall Street. Fashionable and bold with larger rounded square lenses in propionate plastic frames which offer maximum sun protection while embracing a chic Hollywood look.

Tim Roth stood out from his shady Reservoir Dogs pals with Clubmasters. One of Ray-Ban’s most vintage-inclined shapes, the Clubmaster features wire-rimmed lenses with an acetate brow piece and acetate temple arms

Why you should get a pair.

You can try on up to 4 pairs of Ray-Bans from our website for free with our great ‘try at home’ offer.

The perfect glasses to get that come as both regular or sunglasses. Having the option to buy either opens up the door. Shopping for holiday shades or a new pair of stylish work glasses? We’ve got you covered.

You’ll be the talk of the town sporting Ray-Bans. An extremely fashionable and historical brand name that never goes out of fashion. Buy your first pair with Glasses on Spec today.