I don’t see Hait through Gucci lenses: How was the symbol of sunglasses status?

They say it is enough to look at their shoes, bags and sunglasses to correctly determine a person’s social status and financial situation. Secondly, in the meantime, it has long stopped being accepted as a utilitarian accessory for a long time and has gained an indispensable fashion feldem status. How did this happen? We explain to our material. Moreover, the reason is appropriate – 1 July is considered as the invention of the sunglasses.

Sunglasses History

The first prototypes of sunglasses (although not exactly similar to the modern ones) emerged in ancient times. There is a legend that Nero, the Roman emperor Nero, watches the fights of the gladiator from the polished precious stones (according to some emerald sources) and has to protect the eyes from the sun. XII in China. Century, lenses for glasses from a smoky quartz – by judges, they were worn to hide their feelings from everyone existing. However, the XVIII century trend reached the aristocracy in Europe. For example, girls from the noble families of Venice wore gondola (translated “gondola glasses”) – made of greenish glass on the island of Murano. And yes, it was expensive. At this stage of the text, it is safe to say that sunglasses are not always a functional accessory, but also an indication of a situation.

XX Century and Mass Production

The real period of sunscreen glasses began. More precisely, in the 1920s, the time-Foster Grant Brand was born in the 1920s when the American Optians Sam Foster launched glasses with darkened lenses. And one of the reasons why the brand has gained such popularity: The entrepreneur decided to sell glasses on the beaches in Atlantic City, not in pharmacies. So, there is exactly the demand. At that time, sunglasses abandoned the area of ​​medical necessity and stopped being accepted as a exclusive and insignificant expensive thing. With the emergence of the Foster Grant brand, they became part of the summer image, which is a luxury symbol of rest and affordable.

Ten years later, in the 1930s, functionality passed to a level (literally). The glasses of the aviators became part of the equipment of American pilots. The problem was that the bright sun at height was blinded by pilots. In response to a US Air Force demand, Bausch & Lomb has developed a model with green lenses and a thin metal frame. And in 1937, the Ray-Ban brand emerged on a basis. Thus, the world has seen cult model aviators – a classic form that does not lose interest in today.

Cinema and Hollywood’s Impact

The major role in the popularization of sunglasses was played by Hollywood and the first film stars. And no, they did not try to hide their faces from the paparazzi, the subject is different. Due to the bright light of the lamps on the set, it turns out that the eyes of the actors and actresses are very tired and dark lens glasses become an ideal solution: first practical, then the situation. Thus, smoky glasses were worn by Clara Bo, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe to hide fatigue, to maintain a dramatic image and add mystery. True, the audience did not know it, so soon the glasses turned into the most popular accessory of all fashion enthusiasts.

A striking example is Audrey Hepburn’s image in “Breakfast in Tiffany”. There is over and over again with Oliver Goldsmith’s Oliver Goldsmith’s glasses developed for pictures. This model, in the meantime, influenced the industry and inspired many glasses manufacturers who felt the demand for the accessory as the hero of Holly Golitley.

The attention of luxury brands and celebrities

And nevertheless, in the mid -1960s, a very utilitarian accessory with sunscreen glasses remained. However, when fashion houses began to pay attention to this segment and turn it into another brand line, the situation has fundamentally changed. Pioneer Pierre Cardin (presented the Cosmocorps collection that contains futuristic models that reflects its future vision in 1964), then Dior, Gucci and of course Chanel. Luxor glasses have not only made a logical contribution to clothes, but a complete part of the image.

The symbols of the style of that time also affected the spread of an accessory to the masses. One of the main fans of the glasses was Jackie Kennedy, and he always completed his images with big butterflies. In the meantime, they say that the reason for such a great love for accessories is not satisfied with the shape of the face of Jacqueline and hides all the shortcomings with the help of glasses. But now that’s not so important, because Jackie Kennedy made the Great Boy Oki almost the main “chip” of his image. Of course, he kept his example in many fashion. And the favorite brands of the First Lady – François Pinton and Nina Ricci – even created glasses for him, especially for him.

Meanwhile, until the 1970s, the glasses in the turtle were particularly appreciated and were accepted as an indication of the richness of the owners. And all because the accessory was really made of the shells of the turtles. It was a long and very careful job, so the product was expensive and not everyone could meet it. True, in 1970, animals were on the verge of extinction, so it was forbidden to use them for glasses.

It was finally corrected in the 90s and zero glasses cults: Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana rely on prominent silhouettes, memorable decor and large logos. The glasses stopped being the secondary “heroes of the image, on the contrary, they became almost the main accent. Later, Paparazzi also contributed, because many celebrities stopped leaving the house without their favorite points. The pictures, of course, fell into brightness, images were removed to the components of fashion editors and sent to the masses with the message that such a model was a great tendency of the season. And since the luxury brand’s sunglasses are much more accessible for a bag or a pair of shoes, the demand for them continued to grow. With the purchase of an accessory, it turned out that a person received a feeling of participation in a particular group of people.

What is today?

Today, sunglasses are not just protected from the sun. This is an indication of easily read status, culture and style. Continuity in history – Nero and Venetian aristocrats, Mass Foster Grant and Ray -ban cult aviators Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy’nin images – the glasses can tell more than any word. It turns out that they are hiding and opened at the same time, emphasizing and protecting them. Here is a controversial accessory that is no longer possible to imagine life.