"Where would Taxi Driver's Robert de Niro be without his Caravans, Top Gun's Tom Cruise without his Aviators, or the Blues Brothers without their Wayfarers? If Hollywood has played a part in making Ray-Ban legendary fashion icons, these sunnies were first and foremost born of a real necessity — that of protecting the eyes of US Air Force pilots. Ray-Ban and its mineral lenses were launched in 1937, the brainchild of American leader in optometry Bausch & Lomb. In the 40s, before having been adopted by civilians, the sunglasses were popular in a diverse variety of professions, including law enforcement. Featuring innovative materials, Ray-Ban has since taken to new styles and colors, all while continuing to guarantee unbeatable protection against UV rays. Must-haves in any well-rounded collection, Ray-Ban came onto the civilian scene in a big way in the 60s, a period synonymous with freedom where people were looking to express their individuality. The sports world fell in love with the photochromic and reflective lenses, along with classic models that were a hit then and remain so today. As the fanbase grew in the years to follow, especially with cameos in popular films, Ray-Ban launched new styles at the dawn of the new millennium. Now, in the age of the internet, the brand has reinvented itself once again to offer sunnies that can be personalized. Gold or silver frames, matte or glossy, lenses classic, reflective, or polarized — anything is possible with Ray-Ban.
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