Designer Sunglasses Brands
Dolce and Gabbana Sunglasses
Dolce and Gabanna is a high-end fashion house, founded by Italian designers
Domenico Dolce from Palermo, Sicily, and Stefano Gabanna from Milan, Italy.
Dolce and Gabanna are very popular among the Hollywood stars, designing
clothes for Kylie Minogue, Madonna and many others. Although the two men
separated in 2005, the business remains unchanged and both Dolce and Gabanna
continue to design together. They endeavour to create the best designs,
rather than being concerned with starting trends, and just glancing through
their collection you can see for yourself that the designs are absolutely
stunning.
Diesel Sunglasses
The Diesel brand has been around since 1978, manufacturing jeans and casual
clothing, along with accessories,including Diesel sunglasses. Diesel
products can be purchased from around 10,000 shops and boutiques all over
the world.
The Diesel company was founded by Renzo Rosso in 1978. He and his design
team always wanted to lead their own path in fashion, being slightly
different from the norm, and so Diesel has become a fashion leader, rather
than a fashion follower. Their manufacturing methods and quality control
guarantees an outstanding quality product, with an individual style that is
refreshingly different from the usual trends. So, if you want to have that
certain look of individuality and style, then Diesel sunglasses are well
worth considering.
Versace Sunglasses
Gianni Versace was born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. His mother was a
dressmaker, so Gianni began to learn about clothing at an early age, helping
his mother find precious stones and gold braid which could be embroidered
onto the dresses. He studied architecture, and then moved to Milan when he
was 25 to work in fashion design. He the 1970's he started to become noticed
through his fashionable knitwear, and he was asked to design some leather
and suede collections. A few years later, he presented his first signature
collection for ladies wear in Milan, closely followed by a menswear
collection. Over the next years, his reputation soon grew to become one of
the great icons of the fashion industry.
Unfortunately in 1997, as he was coming home from his usual morning walk
along Ocean Drive where he lived in Miami, Florida, Gianni Versace was shot
and killed outside his ocean-front house. He was murdered by a man called
Andrew Cunanan, who committed suicide shortly afterwards using the same
handgun that had been used on Versace. Gianni Versace was buried in Lake
Como, Italy.
Versace remains one of the most talented and colourful designers of the 20th
century, and the Versace brand is one of the worlds leading international
fashion houses. The collection of Versace sunglasses shows his flare for
design with elegant, sophisticated styles, carried on by Gianni's sister,
Donatella Versace, the new head of design of the Versace fashion house.
Oakley Sunglasses
Oakley is known for their quality sunglasses and ski goggles, and was
founded by Jim Jannard in California, USA in the 70's (1975), where he
developed motorcycle hand grips, and then sold them at motocycle events. He
called them "The Oakley Grip", and were very different to any other grips
riders had been using. In the 1980's he moved on to goggles and sunglasses,
and is now a world leader in innovative design, creating new and exciting
products.
UV and impact protection
Plutonite is used for all Oakley lenses. It is made of polycarbonate, making
the lenses lightweight, offering superior comfort, clarity and protection
against ultraviolet radiation and impact resistance. In fact, this impact
resistant material blocks out 100% of all UVA, UVB and UVC radiation. The
protection is formulated into the lens material, as opposed to a thin
surface film that can become scratched, leaving dilated pupils exposed to
ultraviolet leaks. Shielding has nothing to do with the darkness or colour
of the lens, so even clear non-tinted Oakley lenses will still provide full
UV protection.
The wrapped around, raked-back design of Oakley eyewear provides further
protection by blocking UV from the periphery. The lens materials and frame
geometries of Oakley sunglasses provide unsurpassed protection against
high-velocity and high-mass impact.
Iridium lens coatings
This is a uniform filtering layer that optimizes contrast and minimizes
glare, created by super-heated metallic oxides being fused to the lens at a
molecular level, permanently bonding to the lens. Tuned to transmit from 9
to 92% of available light, the coatings are specifically formulated for
optimal balance between reflection, transmission and absorption.
Polarization
Every single pair of Oakley polarized sunglasses achieves 99.9% efficiency
in blocking polarized light waves. Harsh glare is caused by light waves
bouncing off flat surfaces and water, and can be up to 10 times as bright as
ambient light. With Oakley polarized lenses you'll definitely keep the sun
from impeding your vision.
Oakley's polarization technology surpasses industry standards for clarity,
performance and durability. Common techniques of incorporating polarization
films into lenses by lamination (using adhesive to sandwich the film between
lens layers) and drop forming (sandwiching then heating and pressing over
contoured forms) can cause haziness and optical distortion. Oakley uses an
injection-moulding process to infuse the lens material around the filter.
This liquid fusion creates bonding at a molecular level, allowing the filter
to achieve the highest possible level of performance.
Hydrophobic (repels water)
The hydrophobic lenses repel water, oil perspiration and dust. Liquids
simply bead off the lens surface without streaking, and any liquids that do
not slide off the lens by gravity can be more easily wiped away than with
other makes of sunglasses, making cleaning your lenses a breeze.
Oleophobic (repels oils)
The oleophobic characteristics end the frustration experienced with oils,
fingerprints and other smudges on conventional eyewear. These marks on your
Oakley sunglasses will easily wipe away without residue, eliminating
leftover haze and reducing the effort required to clean the lenses.
Anti-static
The anti-static properties mean that dust, dirt and other particles are not
drawn to the lens via static electricity. Dirt and dust degrade optical
clarity, prompt more frequent cleaning and increase the likelihood of
scratching.
3-Point fit
Oakley sunglasses are engineered to maintain a comfortable, secure fit. The
company's patented "Three-Point Fit" ensures that each frame makes contact
only at the bridge of the nose and behind the temples. This retains optics
in perfect alignment and eliminates the discomfort of ordinary frames that
hook the ears and mount with unbalanced pressure points. Some earstems are
sheathed in "unobtainium", an Oakley innovation that actually increases grip
with perspiration.
Unobtainium
This is the name of Oakley's hydrophilic (water-attracting) synthetic rubber
that increases grip when wet, usually applied to the contact points of the
sunglasses (nose and sides of the head). A very similar material was used in
Oakley's first product, the "Oakley grips", used on motorcycle hand grips
(mentioned earlier).
Frame composition
Engineering breakthroughs in structural materials allow Oakley to produce
lightweight, high performance eyewear frames that maintain superior comfort
and protection. The polymers used in "O Matter" frames (a nylon composite)
are formulated for high durability, as well as controlled flexibility for
improved safety during impact. To produce the ultra-strong,
ultra-lightweight chassis of Oakley wire frames, five metallic compounds
(including titanium) are fused into a single C-5 alloy. Both frame materials
maintain resistance to ultraviolet radiation, humidity, thermal shock and
chemical exposure.
X Metal
Oakley "X Metal" is a titanium alloy, and is the only 3-D sculpted,
hypoallergenic, all-metal frame on earth. Its phenomenal strength-to-weight
ratio maximizes comfort and durability. To maintain precise optical
geometries, production pieces are analysed under real-time X-ray scanning
and undergo five-axis machining in computerized systems that maintain
0.0005" tolerance.
Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Ray-Ban was founded in 1937 as a manufacturer of quality sunglasses. Ray-Ban
introduced the two most imitated sunglasses in the world, the "Aviator"
(issued free to the United States air force pilots) and the "Wayfarer".
It all started in 1920 when lieutenant John MacCready returned from a
balloon flight, complaining that the bright sun had permanently damaged his
eyes. He asked Bausch & Lomb to develop a pair of sunglasses that would not
only provide the necessary protection, but also look good. A few years
later, in 1937, Bausch & Lomb produced the "Anti-Glare", consisting of a
lightweight gold-plated metal frame and green-tinted mineral glass lenses,
which filtered out the ultraviolet rays. Pilots in the United States air
force were issued these "Aviator" sunglasses free of charge. The aviator
style soon became famous when, during World War 2, General Douglas MacArthur
landed on the beaches in the Philippines. Photographers recorded the moment,
and their pictures showed him wearing these aviator sunglasses - which then
soon became popular all over America.
Ray-Bans have been used in various Hollywood films, starting with "Breakfast
at Tiffany's" in 1961, starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. The
"Blues Brothers", starring Dan Akroyd and John Belushi showed them famously
wearing their "Wayfarer" style Ray-Bans. We mustn't forget, of course, Tom
Cruise in the 1983 film "Risky Business". In 2006, the Honda Formula One
Racing team members all wore the Ray-Ban 4075 model during the racing
season.
Ray-Ban is now owned by the Luxottica group, and their headquarters are in
Italy. Ray-Ban sunglasses continue to be very popular with a large range of
exciting styles.
Gucci Sunglasses
Gucci is perhaps one of the worlds most prestigious and famous fashion
brands. It was founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy in 1921. Gucci is
the biggest selling Italian brand in the world and has about 425 stores
around the world. They also hold the world record for the most expensive
pair of jeans ever made - an amazing US $3,134, in Milan in 1998!
In 1938 Gucci expanded, and opened a boutique in Rome. Guccio Gucci himself
designed many of the company's most notable products, such as the
bamboo-handled handbag in 1947, which is still manufactured today. Four of
his sons helped in running the company and leading it forwards, and after
their father's death in 1953, Aldo Gucci was instrumental in opening the
company's first boutiques in London, Paris and New York.
Like many companies, the Gucci company has had its ups and downs over the
years through family quarrels and poor business decisions, but despite this,
Gucci remains one of the premier luxury goods brands in the world. Have a
look at a few Gucci sunglasses and you will soon see that the designs embody
that sense of luxury and extravagance. So, if you want to get noticed,
there's nothing quite like a pair of "Gucci's" to give you that sense of
feeling special and sophisticated. You'll always be glad you invested in a
pair of Gucci sunglasses!
Hugo Boss Sunglasses
Hugo Boss is a well known fashion brand extending worldwide, with a chain of
shops in over 100 countries and an annual turnover of half a billion
dollars.
Hugo Boss founded his clothing company in Germany, in 1923 near Stuttgart,
where he is still based today. Despite bankruptcy in 1930, due to the
difficult economic climate in Germany at that time, he set up a new business
in 1931, and supplied the uniforms of the SS guards. Hugo Boss died in 1948,
but his business carried on, and began making suits. In the late 50's, 60's
and 70's fashion began to really take off, and Hugo Boss suits soon became
known for their fashionable quality.
Like many other fashion names, the company has diversified into fragrances
and also, of course, the stunning Hugo Boss sunglasses. When others around
you notice you're wearing Hugo Boss sunglasses, they won't fail to be
impressed.
Prada Sunglasses
Prada was created in 1913 by Mario Prada in Milan, Italy. He designed
handbags, shoes, suitcases etc, and the brand now signifies luxury and
style. Miuccia Prada, Mario's granddaughter, took over the company in 1978,
and moved the Prada label forwards, designing a new look handbag - simple
and sleek - and now Prada stands for elegant clean lines with luxurious
fabrics and materials.
Accessories, such as Prada sunglasses, are also extremely high quality,
again showing those elegant clean lines with attention to detail that give
Prada sunglasses their subtle style and classy image. The Prada brand is
renowned worldwide, and the distinct Prada triangular logo is instantly
recognizable. As soon as you put on a pair of Prada sunglasses you soon
realize you own something special.
Tommy Hilfiger Sunglasses
Tommy Hilfiger comes from a large family in New York state, America. While
still at school, he started his career making jeans, in 1969. With no formal
training, he started designing clothes that were different from the usual
styles. He moved to New York city in 1979 to further his fashion career, and
brought out his first collection in 1985. He has since won numerous awards,
not only for designing clothes and accessories, but also for his work in
helping young American teenagers, encouraging them to improve in their
education, and promoting their physical well-being (through playing sports,
etc).
Tommy Hilfiger sunglasses have a special style all of their own, with a
distinguished trendy look that is refreshingly different - sure to get you
noticed as someone with taste and an eye for style. In a word - stunning!