Persol sunglasses

Designed for the sun

Born in 1917 in Turin, Persol is one of the oldest eyewear brands in the world. Giuseppe Ratti was working as an optician when he met pilots who complained of the glare of the sun. This set Ratti on a mission, experimenting with smoked lenses and developing them alongside a chemist. The final product, ‘The Protector’, became popular with race car drivers and launched the brand.  

 

Following Ratti's original vision, Persol sunglasses are crafted for those who live beyond style, beyond eras. And it’s impossible to look at the history of the brand without mentioning Steve McQueen, the brand’s unofficial ambassador. When McQueen walked on the set of The Thomas Crown Affair wearing Persol 714 folding sunglasses, one of cinema’s most enduring images of cool was born. In 2008 Persol released the 714 SM - a replica of McQueen’s look which reflected his rebellious nature.