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Ray-Ban glasses

Ray-Ban glasses: one of the most recognisable icons in the eyewear industry

Ray-Ban glasses boast one of the most recognisable legacies in the history of eyewear, in both prescription and sunglasses.

Ray-Ban glasses boast one of the most recognisable legacies in the history of eyewear, in both prescription and sunglasses. From the Aviator, created for American pilots in 1937, to the Wayfarer, launched in 1952, and on to the Round and Clubmaster ranges, the American brand has developed designs that have transcended their original function to become cultural icons. This journey is characterised by a distinctive feature: at Ray-Ban, the story began with a quest for functionality before evolving into a story of style. A frame designed for a specific purpose eventually established itself as a cultural icon, and certain silhouettes are now instantly recognisable regardless of their logo. Our selection brings together prescription frames and sunglasses: some frames are a direct continuation of iconic designs, whilst others offer a more contemporary take on them.

Our signature models

Also discover our signature models from the brand.

Ray-Ban glasses boast one of the most recognisable legacies in the history of eyewear, in both prescription and sunglasses. From the Aviator, created for American pilots in 1937, to the Wayfarer, launched in 1952, and on to the Round and Clubmaster ranges, the American brand has developed designs that have transcended their original function to become cultural icons.

This journey is characterised by a distinctive feature: at Ray-Ban, the story began with a quest for functionality before evolving into a story of style. A frame designed for a specific purpose eventually established itself as a cultural icon, and certain silhouettes are now instantly recognisable regardless of their logo.

Our selection brings together prescription frames and sunglasses: some frames are a direct continuation of iconic designs, whilst others offer a more contemporary take on them.

Ray-Ban eyewear — collection at Olivia Balm

Our signature models

What is the origin of Ray-Ban glasses?

The history of Ray-Ban began in the 1930s with a very practical problem: protecting the eyes of American pilots from glare. The brand developed its first mineral lenses designed to reduce this glare, then launched the Aviator in 1937, designed for those same pilots. Over the following decades, innovations developed for aviation were gradually adapted for other uses. In the 1940s, Ray-Ban expanded its reach beyond the cockpit to include, in particular, outdoor professionals. In the 1950s, the introduction of new materials marked the transition from functional eyewear to everyday fashion. This is one of the cornerstones of the brand’s identity: a pair of glasses may be technically designed for a specific purpose and yet still become a fashion statement.

How Ray-Ban became a pop culture brand

From the 1960s onwards, Ray-Ban ceased to be confined to its functional heritage: the brand has been associated with various cultural scenes and different generations. The 1970s saw the emergence of new types of lenses, notably mirrored, tinted and photochromic lenses. The 1980s cemented the brand’s presence in popular culture and cinema, whilst the 1990s firmly established it in pop culture. Even today, their silhouette is often enough to evoke an era, an attitude or a world of its own. In 1999, Luxottica acquired Ray-Ban. The brand became a permanent part of the group’s portfolio and accelerated its international expansion.

Aviator, Wayfarer, Round, Clubmaster: the four classic styles

Ray-Ban’s identity is built on four silhouettes that have become iconic. Each has its own history, a distinctive shape, and has given rise to a family of variations. Aviator (1937): the double-bridge aviator style, drawing directly on the brand’s heritage. The range is extended with the Aviator Classic and the New Aviator · Wayfarer (1952): a breakthrough. In contrast to the Aviator’s metal construction, it adopted a more structured acetate silhouette, which very quickly became associated with numerous celebrities. This was followed by the New Wayfarer in 2003, the Mega Wayfarer in 2022 and the Wayfarer Reverse in 2023 · Clubmaster (1986): a distinctive upper section combined with a slimmer lower section. Its aesthetic evokes the spirit of the 1980s, counterculture and an intellectual style. The range includes the Clubmaster Classic, the Clubmaster Metal, the New Clubmaster and the Mega Clubmaster · Round (1989): introduced alongside the Round Metal, its circular shape contrasts with the brand’s more angular silhouettes, which it associates with a non-conformist and creative attitude. The Round Double Bridge and the New Round are further developments of this style.

Which Ray-Ban style should you choose?

For an iconic style, the Aviator and the Wayfarer remain the two most instantly recognisable options. The Aviator favours a pilot-style shape and a visually lighter construction; the Wayfarer has a more structured silhouette and a more prominent presence around the eyes. Round frames offer an alternative to rectangular and square shapes: their circular shape gives a different look and allows you to choose a less conventional frame. Finally, the Clubmaster stands out for its pronounced upper rim and retro-inspired design. It is ideal for those who want a strong visual identity without opting for a fully bulky shape. These are style guidelines, not rules: a silhouette as bold as this is best judged when trying the glasses on.

What does Ray-Ban offer today?

The current range is not limited to the four classic styles. Ray-Ban offers a wide range of prescription glasses and sunglasses, including aviator, square, round and rectangular frames, as well as numerous variations in materials, colours and lenses. This diversity allows the brand to preserve its historical heritage whilst adapting it to contemporary uses and styles. This is where the brand’s appeal lies: in evolving traditional designs without compromising their identity. When choosing prescription frames, this aesthetic decision must be based on an assessment of the wearer’s visual needs and the characteristics of the prescription — this is the optician’s role, not that of the product description.

Prescription glasses or Ray-Ban sunglasses?

Sunglasses form the historic heart of the brand: this is where it all began, and this is where the range remains the widest, with several types of lenses depending on the collection. The optical range is more recent and also features the original classic designs, alongside more contemporary frames. Details of each category — protection and tints on the one hand, prescription lenses and dimensions on the other — are covered on the two dedicated pages.

Frequently asked questions about Ray-Ban glasses

  • Q: When was Ray-Ban founded?

    A: The history of Ray-Ban began in the 1930s. The brand developed its first mineral glass lenses to protect American pilots from glare, then launched the Aviator in 1937. It was this model that defined the brand’s identity: a technical innovation that became an iconic silhouette.

  • Q: Which Ray-Ban glasses are the most iconic?

    A: Aviator, Wayfarer, Round and Clubmaster are the brand’s four classic ranges. Each features a distinct design: the double-bridge aviator shape, structured acetate frames, a thin metal rim, and a pronounced upper line. All are now available in several variations.

  • Q: When were the Wayfarer sunglasses first created?

    A: The original Wayfarer was launched in 1952. It marked a change in style: in contrast to the Aviator’s metal construction, it featured a more structured acetate frame. Ray-Ban subsequently developed several variations on the range, notably the New Wayfarer, the Mega Wayfarer and the Wayfarer Reverse.

  • Q: Who owns the Ray-Ban brand?

    A: Luxottica acquired Ray-Ban in 1999. The brand has become a permanent part of the group’s portfolio, which has supported its international expansion. Unlike fashion houses, Ray-Ban is therefore not a fashion brand licensed to an eyewear manufacturer: it belongs to a group whose core business is eyewear.

  • Q: Which model do the Aviator or Wayfarer correspond to?

    A: Product listings show the product code rather than the model’s common name. The Aviator corresponds to RB3025 (€159), the Wayfarer to RB2140 (€149), the Clubmaster to RB3016 (€149) and the Round Metal to RB3447 (€149). A reference number beginning with RB denotes a pair of sunglasses, whilst one beginning with RX denotes a pair of prescription glasses.

  • Q: How much do Ray-Ban glasses cost?

    A: Prices range from €119 to €189 for a pair of sunglasses and from €139 to €239 for a pair of prescription frames. The four classic styles are priced between €149 and €159, making them the most obvious entry-level option for the brand. For prescription glasses, you’ll need to add the cost of the lenses, the price of which depends on your prescription and the treatments chosen.

  • Q: Can prescription lenses be fitted to Ray-Bans?

    A: Ray-Ban offers prescription glasses and sunglasses that can be fitted with corrective lenses. Whether a specific model can be fitted with corrective lenses depends on the model, its dimensions and the prescription to be fitted: this should be checked before placing an order. Please send us your prescription along with the model reference, and we will confirm whether it is possible.

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