Pocket-Sized Tom Cruise
By Izzy
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.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
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.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
“Pocket-sized Tom Cruise” — doesn’t that go without saying?
March 18th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Amazing what a great idea !
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Classic, very classic!