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usician and fashion guru Kanye West says “no one man should have all that power,” but when wearing a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses, it can be a little hard for one to not act like royalty, or at least look the part. It’s almost the norm to see students wearing a pair of the iconic shades on campus, and while many can attest to the “cool factor” of the Bans, a much smaller number actually know the history behind one of the world’s most popular fashion items. The high-end Ray Ban eyewear brand has been protecting eyes-and keeping them classy--across the globe for over 70 years. In the early 1930’s US Air Lieutenant John MacCready returned from a balloon-flying journey and claimed that the sun had destroyed his eyesight. He then reached out to Bausch & Lomb, asking them to manufacture sunglasses that could provide protection while simultaneously maintaining a sense of elegance. In 1937, the duo of Bausch &
Lomb and MacCready patented the Ray Ban Aviators. The prototype had an extremely lightweight frame and was made of gold-plated metal with green mineral glass lenses. Pilots in the United States Army Corps immediately adopted the sunglasses and became popular with mainstream culture after the famous LIFE Magazine photos of General Douglas MacArthur landing on the beach of the Philippines in World War II, showed him in the now trademarked Aviators. Throughout the years, Ray Ban has expanded its clientele and its variety of glasses. Brandon Andrew, a Ray Ban sales representative said, “Ray Ban has a wide target range, as far as our consumers. It started for pilots in the military, then movie stars and upper class individuals, and now everyone from every background buys Ray Ban, especially the middle class.” Ray-Ban has several main lines in their sunglass collection including: Icons, Active Lifestyle, High Street, Fast and Furious, and Tech
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Wednesday, September 22, 2010
by Brittany T. Epps Contributing Writer
and Craft. Each family of Ray Ban glasses has something for all different ages and types of people. Many designs are traditional and appropriate for older individuals who are searching for a more serious look, while others come in powerful solid
“It started for pilots in the military, then movie stars and upper class individuals, and now everyone from every background buys Ray Ban... ” - Brandon Andrew, Ray Ban sales rep colors and bold prints. The Icon family is perhaps most popular. It includes the Aviator, the Wayfarer, the Predator, and the Shooter. With its durable frame and swanky silhouette, the Wayfarer is the obvious most popular choice for
s ’ a c i r e Am rite o v s a e F s s a l g n u S Howard students. According to Kamilah Brown, a sophomore Health Management major, she buys Ray Ban Wayfarers because their appeal and trendiness. Brown attests to having a pair in teal, black and red. “Ray Ban sunshades appeal to everyone, from young to old, because of the brand’s classic and universal style. The younger crowd comes into the store and become really thrilled about the pink and teal Wayfarers, but everyone loves the black,” said Musoee Hanadu, sales associate at Sunglass Hut in Pentagon City Shopping Center. Though the fashionable construction of each model of frames Ray Ban has to offer is something for customers to be excited about. The intensity of eye protection that the sunglasses provide is remarkable. The lenses of some Ray-Ban sunglasses are polarized, which means that they eliminate glare from reflective surfaces, which result in a drastic reduction in the brightness of shiny surfaces, like chrome and large
bodies of water. These sophisticated, durable lenses are popular because they are scratch-resistant, provide clarity and offer complete protection from the sun’s dangerous rays. Other Ray Ban sunglasses feature G-15 lenses that are effective in reducing eyestrain and squinting. The B-15 lenses provide clarity and comfort by blocking out a large percentage of blue light. Some would recommend these sunglasses for driving, playing sports, and other activities in which clear vision important. “Ray Bans are just iconic. They’ve been protecting people’s eyes and making it look good for forever it seems like.,” said Wesley Jackson, senior international business major. A more specific historical quantifier can be found on the Ray Ban website: “With over 70 years in the business, Ray Ban continues its mission of pioneering innovative eyewear with Ray Ban Tech sunglasses and frames.”
The Netflix of Eyewear: Warby Parker Online Boutique by Ashley Reese Contributing Writer Anyone who wears glasses knows that buying a new pair is nothing short of an ordeal. After getting a new prescription comes the most daunting task, finding a pair of frames that best suit you and your style. Usually when browsing the limited selection at the optometrist’s or a nationwide chain, trying to find the perfect frames in bad florescent lighting, most options are either bland or bedazzled with a designer’s logo. Should you find that pair of amazing frames amid the sea of mediocrity, you are usually brought down from the temporary high upon realizing the price. Chances are if the frames you fall in love with aren’t already incredibly expensive, filling the prescription alone will be a financial nightmare with frames, prescription lenses and the additional extras of finding a new pair of glasses often cost upward of $200. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the
form of the Warby Parker Online Eyewear Boutique. Warby Parker is an online source for great looking, affordable glasses. Launched in February, Warby Parker has already caught the eye of Vogue, GQ , Details Magazine, Nylon Magazine and a variety of websites and blogs. Vintage inspired yet fashion forward, Warby Parker is a great alternative to mainstream glasses outlets. “Our primary target customer segment is young, educated and socially conscious. While we sell a significant percentage of our glasses to these individuals, we have been surprised at how diverse our customer base is--both geographically and demographically,” said David Gilboa, one of the four founders of Warby Parker. “We have sold glasses to customers in all 50 states and have been inundated with requests from all over the world. We also have customers of all ages. I think this validates our thesis that customers of all types from all over the world are tired of paying so much for a high-quality
pair of glasses.” All of their glasses are Warby Parker originals, effectively cutting out the giant eyewear manufacturers and corporations dominating the market. For a jaw dropping $95, customers can receive stylish frames, prescription lenses, UV coating, antiscratch coating and anti-reflective coating. “It is ridiculous how much most people pay for glasses, and we think we have found a way to fundamentally transform the industry,” Gilboa said. “We would encourage any skeptics to give us a try.” Through their site, prospective customers can browse for frames that fit their style profile. From thick “geek-chic” frames, to bright colored frames, perfect for the hipster aesthetic, to classic silhouettes, Warby Parker offers a wide variety of styles and colors. After finding frames, customers enter their prescription information. If one happens to have it on hand, they can enter it directly into a form
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on the site. If not, with additional information, Warby Parker can contact one’s doctor and obtain the prescription information or customers can chose to send their prescription information at another time. For those who like glasses for aesthetic purposes, there is the option for nonprescription lenses. Another factor in Warby Parker’s appeal lies in their Home TryOns: prospective customers can try up to five different glasses for free for five days, prescription included. The Home Try-Ons come with a prepaid shipping label for easy return. Committing to Internet purchases can be worrisome, and having time to try various pairs before making a decision is beneficial. Some may prefer Warby Parker’s “Virtual Try On.” Customers can upload a personal or simply use their webcam to try on any and all frame styles. Warby Parker also gives back. Their “Buy A Pair, Give A Pair” program gives a donation to Restoring Vision for every pair purchased. Restoring Vision distributes
reading glasses and sunglasses to underprivileged groups in the US and people in developing countries. Additionally, Warby Parker is currently offering limited edition pink frames to support the “Susan G. Komen for the Cure: initiative. Priced at $150, one-third of the amount paid is given to the foundation dedicated in breast cancer research and education. Warby Parker’s service is accessible to all types of shoppers. “I love that the frames are cute, and modern; the prices are great, especially since they come with my prescription and aren’t just for show, like many glasses are these days,” said Paige Jones, junior public relations major, after viewing the site for the first time. “I adore the ‘buy a pair, give a pair’ philosophy and can’t wait to help.” “I visited the site, and I was impressed with what I saw. I feel the site is easy to navigate, and I think the concept is really clever, considering it satisfies a need that is often over-
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