Today, we know and love Ray-Bans because they grace the faces of our favorite stars – when was the last time you saw Rihanna out and about without these iconic shades? – and because they help hipsters everywhere master the geek-chic look with their thick frames and clean, angular lines. There’s more to this legendary eyewear company than just the genuis that is their Wayfarer style, though, and for its 75th anniversary, Ray-Ban is reminding us all of its sexy shades’ true beginnings by releasing the limited-edition Ambermatic capsule collection this month.
Drawing upon the design aesthetic of Ray-Ban’s collections from 1937 – the year of the company’s launch – the Ambermatic collection comprises four different, iconic styles: the Classic Aviator, the Classic Aviator with curved temple tips, the Outdoorsman, and the Shooter. According to Yahoo.com, each of the 18,000 pairs of sunglasses in the capsule collection (think time capsule) features “the yellow polarized lenses developed in 1978 to offer an anti-glare effect” and will sell for $219 a pop.
So how does the company plan to make us all covet these Aviator styles in a time when Wayfarers reign supreme? Ray-Ban has ensured that the cool curve of the Aviator makes a comeback this year by launching the “Legends Never Hide” campaign; a campaign that, like the sunglasses themselves, celebrates the company’s long and glamorous history (and makes us want to turn the clocks back just a bit).
Each of the campaign’s 7 graphics features a photo of a historic or cultural innovator (or rebel, true to Ray-Ban form) from each of the past 7 decades – and of course, each showcases a Ray-Ban style that was quintessential to the fashion of the time… proving nothing has changed in the past 75 years, other than the angle of our frames! With graphics that feature two Edie Sedgwick look-alikes, Mad Men-style Wall Street walkers, flower children, and some delectable men in uniform, we can’t help but want to celebrate Ray-Ban’s 75th right along with them.