Persol Sunglasses
In 1917, Giuseppe Ratti founded Persol in Turin. The company’s name comes from the Italian phrase, "per il sole," meaning "for the sun." For more than 100 years, Persol’s sunglasses and have achieved an expert balance of innovative precision and complex craftsmanship. Each piece is still handmade in Italy, an incredible feat for one of the world’s oldest sunglasses brands.
From the "King of Cool" Steve McQueen’s iconic shades to classic aviators, Persol sunglasses and eyeglasses are for those who expect quality and style in equal measure. Persol offers vintage-inspired eyewear for and women, in or acetate frames with a choice of lens sizes. Each pair of Persol sunglasses features the brand’s recognizable symbol, the Supreme Arrow, on the temple, and Persol’s iconic signature on the lens.
A History of Quality
Persol introduced its Persolmatic lenses with photochromic effect in 1920. Persol designed these lenses for adventurers like aviators, athletes, race car drivers, and mountain climbers who needed extra protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Now made from hard-wearing crystal, Persol lenses guarantee protection and claritys
. They come in super-light 1.8mm versions, a feat made possible by innovative production techniques that allow for shaping and tempering of the glass. Persol’s polarized lenses block reflected light to provide the wearer with a clearer vision of the horizon ahead, regardless of where they’re headed.
Hollywood Style
Persol consolidated its must-have status when two international legends wore Persol sunglasses in on the silver screen. Italian leading man Marcello Mastroianni sauntered into stardom in the Italian Divorce and Steve McQueen sported a pair of Persol sunglasses in the iconic 1968 movie, . Labeled as "The King of Cool," McQueen showed up on set wearing his own pair of Persol sunglasses, and a star was born in the world of eyewear. Known for playing bold and heroic counterculture roles, McQueen’s on and offscreen persona captured the essence of Persol’s adventurous and stylish cust.mes
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A Blend of Comfort and Style
Even in the brand’s infancy, Persol offered all of its sunglasses in a choice of four sizes, as well as varying bridge heights and arm lengths, to provide an almost made-to-measure fit for its clientele. The same level of comfort and precision is still available today. Since the days of Giuseppe Rati, every pair of Persol glasses has undergone a manual process called "telatura" to ensure their weight is distributed evenly for a perfect fit.
In 1930, Persol created the "Meflecto" system. This patented design was the first to allow glasses to bend and adapt to the wearer’s face. Incorporating this technique into the manufacturing process requires more than 10 additional steps compared to standard frames, and the finished products reflect this dedication to quality and comfort.
A Union of Nature and Technology
Persol’s commitment to excellence and innovation runs throughout the company’s history. Although Persol frames are still manufactured in the same Turin-based factory, the company continues innovating. Persol’s acetate frames are derived from cotton flowers that are pulverized and treated to create a pliable material. Because this substance is natural in origin, each pair of Persol sunglasses produces a color variation that’s unique to every frame.
