May

26

Why Ray Bans Have Stood the Test of Time

Filed Under Brand Wave, Fun with Eyewear, Eyewear Knowledge 

us0526.JPG

Ray Bans have been popular for generations. Why is it that this company, with relatively generic eyewear, has been able to hold the public’s positive perception for so long? Perhaps it is because the designs are familiar in a time when other designers are attempting to branch into the unknown. Perhaps, also, it is because the designs are a reminder of seemingly easier or better times.

Personally, I think Ray Bans have survived the flood of modernity and streamlined style because of their creative and all-encompassing advertising campaigns that are aimed at integrating Ray Bans into the national image through movies, TV, celebrities, star athletes and other high profile people. For example, President Obama was photographed directly before his win was announced wearing Ray Ban shades. Meanwhile, star couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been photographed together wearing Ray Bans. I hardly think this is a coincidence.

Ray Ban wayfarers’ bright colors and signature temple bar silver beads offer something that other eyewear is lacking- personality. Ray Ban’s are flamboyant, they make a statement about the wearer as a fun-loving and laid back person that is always ready to smile. The company capitalized on their instant success by enlisting stars who epitomized the fun-loving nature of the colorful shades.

Meanwhile, Ray Ban Aviators, in contrast to the Wayfarers, have the image of a rebel’s eyewear. Original made famous by McArthur, the shades have been popular in the military ever since. In popular (civilian) culture they are a hit among the rebel classes of skaters, punk singers, extreme sports enthusiasts and Angelina Jolie. Again, they are a style that comes with an image and a personality, this is why I think Ray Bans have done so well where other designers have failed.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • bodytext
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • SphereIt
  • Spurl
  • StumbleUpon

Comments

Leave a Reply




    Quotations

    • "Words, like glasses, obscure everything which they do not make clear."
    • Joseph Joubert
    •  
    • "You go to school, you get a master's degree, you study Shakespeare and you wind up being famous for plastic glasses."
    • Salley Jessy Raphael
    •  
    • "Don't call the world dirty because you forgot to clean your glasses."
    • Aaron Hill
    •  
    • "They had me on the operating table all day. They looked into my stomach, my gall bladder, they examined everything inside of me. Know what they decided? I need glasses."
    • Joe E. Lewis
    •  
    • "Rose-colored glasses are never made in bifocals. Nobody wants to read the small print in dreams."
    • Ann Landers
    •  
    • "Men do make passes at girls who wear glasses - but it all depends on their frames"
    •  
    • "The only reason we wore sunglasses onstage was because we couldn't stand the sight of the audience."
    • John Cale
    •  
    • "With my sunglasses on, I'm Jack Nicholson. Without them, I'm fat and 60."
    • Jack Nicholson

    • Blogroll

      • Australia - Australian online blog marketer of designer sunglasses and glasses
      • Canada - Canadian blog for the sale and distribution of designer glasses and sunglasses.
      • Japan - Japanese blog about designer glasses and sunglasses in Japan.
      • United Kingdom - United Kingdom blog marketer for designer glasses and sunglasses news.