The Persol 811 Pininfarina is part of a series that represents a collaboration with the Italian design group Pininfarina famous for their auto body design work for Ferrari with the longstanding manufacturer of high quality eyewear, Persol. This model has large brown tinted lenses and a sporty frame that typifies 80s coolness.
As part of a series oriented towards snow sports in the 80s the Ray Ban Timberline is typical of this generation. The frame evokes a large aviator style of design, but made in blue plastic, a material that is much more comfortable to wear in cold climates. This pair has the "changeable" blue lenses that go from a very light blue indoors to a medium dark blue in bright sunlight. With the cool blue lenses and the large somewhat nerdy frame you are left with a classic example of 80s style and flavor.
The Vuarnet 502 has the distinctive "cateye" shape of one of their most popular models, the 002 but here it is offered in a folding variation that collapses into highly portable and compact form. The pair here also have the "Skilynx" lenses with a double gradient mirrored exterior for maximum eye protection in high altitude and high glare situations and also have a blue internal anti-reflective coating to reduce back reflections. The lenses have a strong yellow tint to them that take awhile to get used to but give significant glare reduction and increased contrast to the wearer and are very popular and effective for skiers.
With a simple and classic form the American Optical Pilot has been the standard military issue sunglasses for pilots since 1958 and is classic example of form following function. This model features "bayonet" temples that hold onto to your head with a slight inward pressure and allows the user to quickly put them on or take them off, even when wearing a helmet or other head gear. The grey glass lenses are neutral in color to allow a true color rendition of the world while reducing glare and providing UV protection.
The Persol 58230 combines a simple clean profile with a slight wraparound shape to create an elegant and sporting design. The front profile creates a slight V shape which is followed by thin temples to give a impression of speed. This frame is made in a honey brown acetate plastic and has the classic Persol brown lenses that lend a warmth to the world viewed through them. This model in black was used in the movie Terminator 2.
This Pair of Ray Ban Outdoorsmen are part of their special "Fantasees" series that is distinguished by their "changeable" variable density gradient lenses. The lens color is a light brown that gets lighter towards the bottom for a very complimentary look and gets darker when exposed to bright light. This pair also has the utilitarian cable temples for a secure fit during any activities and works to balance out the delicateness of the lenses.
The Persol 103 is part of their special "Manager" series and is a limited edition.This model features a large frontal face that is contemporary and strong and is balanced by gold trim on both the top of the frame and then on the temples in a rendition of the classic Persol arrow. With a large and shiny black frame accented with gold the Persol 103 are a modern and elegant accessory that can be worn on any occasion from formal to play.
The Cazal 607 is a classic whose roots originated in the early days of hip hop. This model has a large thick black frame accented by a strong metal hinge that extend from the temples to give a pop of flash. Wearing these makes a strong statement, one that gives an idiosyncratic in your face attitude that exemplifies the owner as a unique individual.
The Ray Ban Outdoorsman is a classic variation of the aviator with the addition of the "brow bar" over the bridge and is at home in the woods or the city. This pair has the "changeable" variable density rose colored lenses that darkens in the sun and it is the contrast between the rose colored lenses and the rugged frame style that makes these truley stand out.
With a straight forward and clean design the Persol 09219 has a timeless quality that never goes out of fashion. The pair shown here have a dark blue with red frame for a little extra flavor and with their full mirror lenses they have a touch of toughness for that extra level of cool.
Ziess Optics is widely known as the manufacturer of some of the highest quality optics in the world and their approach to sunglasses continues this tradition. The model shown here has a beautiful translucent red tortoise frame that has a distinctive almost art deco shape.
This version of the Ray Ban Outdoorsman is part of their specialty driving series of sunglasses. The lenses on this pair are the Chromax B-20 which is designed to increase contrast, especially for the colors typically encountered while driving. while at the same time reducing glare. This pair shown here has the an all black frame that lends a tough no nonsense attitude to an incredibly functional pair of sunglasses.
The Ray Ban Aviator is an absolutely timeless design, it was originally designed for pilots on a request by the military in the 1930s and has transformed into a fashion icon. The version shown here is an older model known as the 12 K which stand for the heavier 12 karat gold fill used on the frame. This model also has the green lenses that was common on the older models and gives a pleasant tint to the world. It is the aviator design's direct functionality that defines it's form absolutely, a form without any frivolity yet elegant with the wire thin frame that belies the overall cool toughness that it projects onto the wearer. The Ray Ban Aviator's design is the biggest selling design in the history of sunglasses and is a true classic.
The Persol 69218 has an strong, aggressive stance that is amplified by it's extra wide temples. The temples on this model utilize Persol's "Meflecto" system to make the temples flexible at a specific spot that enables a better fit for the wearer. The pair shown here in a reddish tortoise frame also have mirror tinted lenses to create an effect that is both tough and sophisticated. Don Johnson wore these in the third season of Miami Vice and this design is an icon of the 1980s.
The sunglasses shown here are not truly vintage, they fall more into the category of "Retro" as they are a newly manufactured version of a classic Oakley design from the 80s using the original tooling. The Frogskins have a simple shape similar to the Ray Ban Wayfarer in design and with a touch of the classic Persol "keyhole" under the bridge. The new Frogskins come in a variety of lenses and frame combinations ranging from clear to "glow in the dark" frames. The pair shown here have brilliant fire iridium mirrored lenses to make them really stand out.
This model sports a simple classic aviator frame by the Austrian manufacturer Carrera and is highlighted by funky and beautiful purple lenses. They catch other peoples eyes as you look at them toned in purplish hues.
The Ray Ban Kalichrome Shooter was designed for shooting sports conducted in hazy, foggy and low light. The yellow lenses refered to as the Kalichrome lenses actually intensify light and increase contrast, wearing them on bright sunny days will only hurt your eyes, but you will at least look cool. Their design is similar to the aviator but sit higher up on the face and the space between lenses is smaller separated by a circular ring that some people call the bullet hole. This pair also have the cable temples to give a secure fit and give them a cool utilitarian look.
