Oakley

Godfather of all Sunglasses

Oakley: The OG of all sunglasses. Seriously, we bow down. Fashion show music legend Michel Gaubert gave Oakley a shoutout with a heartfelt compliment, calling them the ancestor of all sunglasses. But one sentence just doesn’t cut it. There’s so much more to Oakley than that. Dive deeper with us into the brand’s iconic moments.

 

To All the First Times

Some of the greatest inventions in history were born out of pure chance. Take penicillin, for example. That came from a forgotten mold culture. Or Velcro, inspired by fruit seeds getting stuck to a dog's fur. What about Post-its? A happy accident when scientists were trying to create a super-strong adhesive.

Oakley is no different. Their iconic Eyeshade was the brainchild of founder Jim Jannard, who came up with the design while driving. Definitely a combined stroke of luck and genius. 

How is it that a simple idea turned into a global eyewear sensation?

  

Sketch of the Eyeshade (Left) and an Oakley magazine advertisement (Right) ⓒoakley.com

 

Imagine cruising down the highway, top down, when suddenly a blinding glare hits you right in the face. That's exactly what happened to Jim Jannard in 1983. He was driving from San Diego to LA when the setting sun reflected off the Pacific Ocean, creating an intense beam of light that his regular sunglasses couldn't handle. Being the resourceful guy he was, Jim decided to do something about it.

He thought, "What if I could combine the wide coverage of goggles with the style of sunglasses?" And just like that, a revolutionary idea was born. Back in his workshop, Jim grabbed a few old goggle lenses and a coat hanger. With some tape and a whole lot of creativity, he fashioned a makeshift pair of glasses. Yep, you heard that right. This super-low-fi creation was the very first prototype of the iconic Oakley Eyeshade.

Fast forward a few years, and the Eyeshade had become a staple in the sports world. In 1985, legendary cyclist Greg LeMond wore a pair of Eyeshades during the Tour de France and finished second. Thanks to LeMond's success, Oakley quickly became a household name.

 

Gred LeMond wearing a pair of Eyeshades ⓒsunglassesrestorer.com

    

It all started in a garage with just $300. That's right, Oakley was born in a humble home workshop in 1975. I bet you didn’t know that the name Oakley came from Jim Jannard's dog. At first, Oakley had nothing to do with eyewear. They were making motorcycle grips, not glasses. But even back then, Jim was already thinking outside the box. He developed a revolutionary material called Unobtanium, which is basically a super grippy rubber that's perfect for active lifestyles. Today, you can find Unobtanium on almost every pair of Oakley glasses, keeping them securely in place no matter what you're doing. Next time you slip on a pair of Oakleys, remember: it all started with a guy, his dog, and a big idea in a small garage.

 

Oakley’s foundation: Unobtanium Handgrips ⓒmelmagazine.com

    

If It Doesn't Exist, Create It

When I think of Oakley, I'm reminded of mad scientists like Doc Brown from Back to the Future. I know I'm not alone in thinking that because Oakley actually refers to their research as "mad science." It makes sense when you consider their motto: "Innovation is the rule, if it doesn't exist, create it." Their technology is so advanced that it's practically in a league of its own.

That's not all. Oakley isn't just about groundbreaking tech, they're constantly collaborating with talented designers to push the boundaries of style and create truly unique eyewear. This perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and bold design is what sets Oakley apart.

 

Oakley’s page displaying their technology ⓒmadscience.instore.oakley.com

    

Oakley's designs are all about retrofuturism. The concept that blends the past and the future. Imagine the space-age designs of the 1950s and 60s, with all the optimism and excitement about space travel. That's the vibe Oakley is going for.

The twist is that while the 20th century was full of big dreams about the cosmos, that excitement has kind of faded over time. So, retrofuturism isn't just about predicting the future anymore. It's more about looking back at those old sci-fi movies and comics and taking inspiration from the way people imagined the future back then. It's like a nostalgic nod to a time when anything seemed possible.

 

Oakley headquarters in California. Like something from an old Sci-Fi movie. ⓒshelflife.co.za

    

Oakley glasses aren't your average pair of shades. Look at the Over the Top model. Worn by sprinter Ato Boldon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it quickly became an iconic piece. Instead of sitting on your ears, these glasses sit on your head. It's one of the most radical designs in eyewear history. While it was originally created for athletes, you'll often spot them in art and fashion. It's like Oakley's designs have transcended function and become pure art.

 

Sidney Olympics Silver Medalist Ato Bolton

DJ Yahel (Left) and Outcast’s Andre 3000 (Right)

Over the Top Prototype ⓒshelflife.co.za, ⓒtrussarchive.com

   

Another iconic Oakley model that deserves a shoutout is the X-Metal series.  A special request from none other than basketball legend Michael Jordan, the X-Metal frames are a masterpiece of engineering, combining titanium and Unobtanium. Each pair is basically a handcrafted work of art, assembled from multiple pieces and Jordan loved them so much that he wore them off the court, giving Oakley a massive endorsement.

Who wouldn't want to wear the same glasses as their favorite athlete? Jordan's love for the X-Metal helped Oakley cross over from sports to fashion, solidifying their status as a cool and stylish brand.

 

Michael Jordan (Right)’s favorite glasses X-Metal Romeo ⓒgq-magazine.co.uk

Brad Pitt wearing X-Metal Leather glasses in Fight Club. Re-released in 2023, currently sold out. ⓒbosshunting.com.au

Late actor Robin Williams, lover of X-Metal Romeos ⓒpinterest

    

The hottest model right now is defnitely the Half Jacket. Spotted on fashion icons like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, it’s sleek design with extended side pieces has totally captured the Y2K vibe. They’ve been popping up all over paparazzi shots, giving off those nostalgic end-of-the-millennium vibes. The Half Jacket is definitely a must-have for anyone wanting to channel their inner early 2000s fashionista.

   

Kendall Jenner wearing Half Jackets (left) and Bella Hadid (Right) ⓒfashionfav.com

    

Winter Sports’ Eternal Companion

You can't talk about Oakley without mentioning their snow goggles. They've been at it since 1983. That's decades of experience in crafting the perfect goggles for hitting the slopes. Their secret is simple: they're obsessed with pushing the limits of performance. Oakley believes there's always room for improvement, and that constant drive to innovate is what keeps their customers coming back for more.

 

Oakley’s wide range of snow goggles ⓒoakleyforum.com

   

That's what makes Oakley snow goggles so special. The sleek curves give you a wide field of vision, while their iconic Prizm lenses offer incredible color contrast. Add in the iridium coating to cut down on glare, and you've got a recipe for the ultimate riding experience. It's no surprise that when you search for ski goggles online, Oakley always pops up first. They're simply the best.

 

Oakley’s snow goggles are always seen worn by champion athletes ⓒsustainhealth.fit

   

Reimagine Everything

“Reimagine everything" might sound like a crazy idea, but it's the driving force behind Oakley's continued success. With this bold motto, they ventured into clothing, footwear, and even watches in the early 2000s. And guess what, it worked. Just like their eyewear, Oakley's other products are top-notch in terms of quality and performance. That’s not all though, they’re also really good at collabs. 

 

Oakley FW24 ⓒoakley.com

Palace x Oakley FW24 ⓒgq-magazine.co.uk, Satisfy x Oakley SS23 ⓒhypebeast.com

Pas Normal Studios x Oakley ⓒpasnormalstudios.com
   

Remember the Oakley Flesh? Released back in 2000, it was kind of a flop. Fast-forward to 2022, and the shoe is back with a vengeance, thanks to a collab with the super-cool fashion label Braindead. This partnership brought back the Oakley Factory Team and gave the Flesh a second chance.

Turns out, trends really do come back around every 20 years. And the Flesh is definitely having a moment. It's a hit with anyone who loves a good dose of gorpcore. The shoe is super comfy and has a minimalist design, which makes it easy to style with all sorts of outfits. The perfect blend of function and fashion.

ⓒhypebeast.com
Oakley Factory Team x Junya Watanabe MAN ⓒculted.com

 

If Oakley had merely stopped at imagination, the empire we know today wouldn't exist. They've held firm to their commitment of creating gear exclusively for professionals, not just in eyewear but across all their product lines. Understanding that fostering a genuine sports culture is more important than fleeting trends, their unwavering dedication to this principle is the cornerstone of their brand's longevity. It's this authenticity that keeps us remembering the name Oakley.

 

Tom Cruise’s sunglasses in Mission Impossible? Oakley ⓒoakleyforum.com

    

It's not just about sports. It's about pushing boundaries, grinding it out, and always trying something new. That's the spirit. And Oakley totally nails it. They're proof that you don't have to be on the field to play the game.