The eyes have it

Ray Ban turns 75 this year and it’s marking the anniversary by coming out with a limited-edition publication titled “Legends: Untold Stories” that celebrates its place in culture.
Ray-Ban has been at the forefront of style and culture since its debut in 1937. Often, the connection has been explicit: Audrey Hepburn, Marlon Brando, and Debbie Harry of Hollywood, rebellion, and rock’n’roll.
Those stories, however, are not the ones told in this book. Instead, the label presenting another history, one in which Ray-Ban has shaped key cultural moments in ways that, until now, have gone undocumented.
“Untold Stories” presents 18 rarely-seen photographs from the past 75 years of Ray-Ban’s history and celebrates the secret tales behind them through personal essays by 18 iconic tastemakers. Iggy Pop toasts Keith Richards in his Learjet at the height of his 1970’s pomp while Rolling Stone editor-in-chief Jann Wenner dissects Bob Dylan’s pow-wow with Mick Jagger at the latter’s 29th birthday party.
Beth Ditto celebrates the early trailblazers of women’s liberation and looks at the way Ray-Ban’s simple Aviator glasses helped aeronautical development.
Pharrell Williams eulogises Michael Jackson and looks at the role of Ray-Ban in the creation of a legendary style that inspired a generation. Tim Roth explores Ray-Ban’s historical connection with the glamour and grit of Hollywood through screen icon Jack Nichol-son. All pay homage to the subtle part Ray-Ban sunglasses have played in these stories.
Also in shops now is Ray Ban’s autumn-winter 2012 collection based on its ever-popular aviator design and which reflects the brand’s continuous search for materials and unique stylistic traits.
The first Ray-Ban glasses were originally developed to protect US Air Force pilots from high-altitude glare, but soon became popular among Hollywood celebrities and achieved cult status. The 2012 collection sees the debut of LiteForce, a cutting-edge thermoplastic with exceptional lightness and resistance.
LiteForce, which is being used for the first time ever in eyewear, has until now provided niche solutions for the automobile, aerospace, electronics and medical industries.
Applied to the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator model and to a squared active model, LiteForce offers the same resistance as a traditional frame and even greater flexibility. These extraordinary results translate into unprecedented wearability and comfort. It’s sure to be popular among young fans of the timeless teardrop model, available in glossy black, green, brown and matte blue.
For this coming season fashionable brands like Prada, Burberry, and Dolce and Gabbana are also going for the aviator design. Burberry’s new timeless aviator eyewear styles for men and women reflect the effortless attitude of the brand. The specs feature ultra lightweight frames with thin metal temples and a bridge with the Burberry logo.
The iconic Burberry check appears on the inside of temples, referencing the Burberry trench coat lining, while the tonal enamel detail along the frame is inspired by the iconic Burberry colour palette.
The classic Dolce and Gabbana aviator model is completely foldable thanks to the 45-degree cut along the front. The packaging includes a special hook so that the sunglasses can be hung on a belt loop.
Prada Men’s new collection is inspired by the world of golf and the ‘50s. The gleaming metal brings focus to the squared front, the irregular rim and high bridge. Metallic colours of Shiny Gold and Lead are paired with solid Coal, Turquoise and Cameo lenses and mirrored Gradient Grey and Green Glass lenses.