Possibly the most popular sunglasses frame of all time, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer has been worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Cary Grant in North by Northwest, and, most famously, Tom Cruise in Risky Business—the latter the result of a shrewd product-placement deal.
First sold in 1952, the plastic model has been described by one commentator as being at first a “sculpture of genuine originality…a mid-century classic to rival Eames chairs and Cadillac tail fins. The distinctive trapezoidal frame spoke a non-verbal language that hinted at unstable dangerousness, but one nicely tempered by the sturdy arms which, according to the advertising, gave the frames a ‘masculine look.'”
To capitalize on the recent resurgence of the Wayfarer, Ray-Ban is now offering a limited-edition folding version that can fit in your pocket, as well as the glovebox of your Porsche.
But do we actually like these? Funnily, I like the collapsable Persols, but these just seem a little stupid. When will Rayban stop fanning the flames of the fading Wayfarer revival. I’m bored.
Comment by Benjamin Harrison — February 22, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
“Pocket-sized Tom Cruise” — doesn’t that go without saying?
Comment by La Petite Acadienne — February 26, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Amazing what a great idea !
Comment by steven — March 18, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Classic, very classic!
Comment by Carribbean Cruise — August 22, 2008 @ 10:50 pm