PERSOL | "per il sole"

Turin 1917, Giuseppe Ratti, photographer and owner of Berry Opticians, began an adventure destined to lead to international success. Indeed, it was in a small courtyard in Via Caboto that he began to make technically advanced glasses, designed to satisfy the demands of pilots and sports drivers who required comfort, protection and optimum vision.

 

 Thus Protector glasses were born, made using round smoked lenses with rubber edges and attached to the head by means of elastic bands. Soon they were adopted by the Armed Forces and by pilots in the Italian Military Aviation.

 Intuition, ingenuity, innovation and quality made Protector glasses the choice of several air forces around the world, including the United States. During this period they were worn by flying, driving and motorcycling aces - D'Annunzio, De Pinedo, Ferrarin, Chiron, Nazzaro, Fangio, Opessi, Bolognini and Ghersi to name but a few of their most famous users.

 Protector glasses received a truly special initiation from Major Gabriele d’Annunzio (for whom a model was made to measure) and Captain Natale Palli on their historical flight over Vienna on 9 August 1918, as well as from Francesco De Pinedo on his transatlantic flight that lasted some 193 hours!

 From the pen of a great designer, Eugenio Colmo, a.k.a. Golia, came to life the “Cinesino” in 1920, a character that distinguished the Berry shop in Via Roma and that, with its graphic development, accompanied advertising campaigns for Ratti’s products for 50 years, in particular the Persol line that was created in that period.

 Again in the 1920s the famous yellow-brown lens that is mounted on all Persol glasses was created using neutral crystal made from the purest silica. Its singular characteristic is owed to a special “en masse” manufacturing process that determines its colouring and guarantees extremely high protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
 In 1924 Protector obtained the first of 14 international patents. Composed of 41 parts requiring 43 different assembly procedures, Protector glasses were also adopted by the Swiss Military Department in 1927 after careful analysis.

 Subsequent development of the Protector model, guided by an intuition and determination to create truly revolutionary sunglasses in terms of quality and ease of wearing, led to the creation of the Persol trademark (Persol from “per il sole” meaning “for the sun”, highlighting their function of protection against the sun’s rays).

 The extraordinary characteristics of this innovative product were its neat design, crystal lenses (the pride of Persol), the Silver Arrow (both a functional detail and unmistakable decorative element) and the Meflecto patent, a system studied to make the stems flexible and offer maximum comfort.

 The late 1930s saw the introduction of the Meflecto system, the world’s first flexible stem that is still today a distinctive feature of the Persol brand. The stem’s flexibility derives from the introduction of nylon or metal cylinders intersected by a stainless steel core providing absolute comfort and adaptability to any face.

 This period also marked the creation of Persol Victor Flex, an application of the Meflecto concept. A real fountain of technology, the glasses were equipped with a flexible bridge (the "3-notch bridge", still used today in model 649) that creates a comfortable curve and improves fitting. A further internal metal reinforcement is applied to the stems of new models to allow their adjustment both in length and curving.
 This period also marked the birth of the Silver Arrow, Persol’s unmistakable symbol: a hinge decorated with an arrow on the stem, inspired by the swords of ancient warriors. This innovation, born of Ratti’s intuition, was immediately patented in several countries.

 Various versions of the arrow followed until development and technical and design adjustments led to the “Supreme” arrow, that still today distinguishes the Persol trademark. As both a functional detail and decorative element, the arrow soon brought Persol international recognition (and copying) of its very particular style.

Vintage Persol meflecto RATTI Victor Flex.   One available for purchase at the CateyeSpectacles Boutique

 Model 649, built for tram drivers in Turin who needed large glasses to protect their eyes against the air and dust, was created in 1957. The novelty of its design made it a very successful pair of glasses, copied over the years by many competitors, and in 1961 they entered into legend when Marcello Mastroianni wore them in the film “Divorce Italian Style”
Protected by several patents and registered trademarks, model 649 (still today of great relevance and present in collections) represents the symbol par excellence of Persol design. Thanks to its particularity, in a 1994 French book entitled “Qualità: scènes d'objets à l'italienne" it was included among the objects most representative of the Italian creative genius of yesterday and today.
In the 1960s Persol became a source of real pride for Italian industry. Production was extended to work goggles - the Labor model were protective goggles for welding, with specific filters for various uses. It was a highly researched and specialized line, holding over 35 international patents, that took the Persol brand name to the top of the world’s eyewear industry.










 1962 was the year in which the United States market was conquered (though Persol had already been supplying NASA with the “four-lens” model).   At that time Persol glasses were more and more often being worn by top personalities of the period, not only pilots and sportsmen but also film and television stars such as Greta Garbo and Steve McQueen, who chose Persol both on the set and in everyday life.

Persol Aviator trademark Meflecto temples. One available.

 The 1980s extended the considerable attention that Persol had always paid to technological innovation and care for its products. Indeed, it took part in several expeditions to test its lenses at high altitudes and in the desert, verifying their performance in extreme conditions, and to experiment with the use of innovative materials.

 From the wealth of information gathered from sportspeople, “Persol Sport” was created in 1990, a line designed to protect the eyes of those involved in sporting activities. At that time Persol’s image was closely associated with personalities from the worlds of sport, such as Jean Alesi in 96 and 97.

Persol 1st generation wrap around sport with sky blue glass lenses. One available

Persol sport classic limited edition featuring Victor Flex bridge.  One available

In the early 1990s Persol’s female image was entrusted to Italian actress Ornella Muti, for whom Persol purposely created a pair of incredibly popular glasses (the elegant 830 model), and then in 1993-94 with super model, Carol Alt. She too was dedicated a personalised model (the Carol 853 model).

Ladies Vintage Persol Cateye.  Italian Drama in Sunwear.  Only one available

In 1994 Persol was present in 40 countries worldwide and sold in 3.500 points of sale in Italy and over 12.000 in the rest of the world. Its success was indisputable and due to the refinement of its models, Persol has been chosen for the advertising campaigns of great names in the world of fashion.

Persol classic meflecto RATTI blonde tort with amber brown glass lenses.  One available.

  Persol has, from time to time, entrusted its public image to some exceptional figures: from the aforementioned Ornella Muti, Jean Alesi and Carol Alt to the extraordinary actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, footballer Alessandro Del Piero (promoter in 1998-99) and footballer Filippo Inzaghi (promoter in 2004). These personalities have shown their preference for the Persol legend and interpreted its style and character with elegance and originality.

Persol Meflecto RATTI unique with flush curve-less flat classic glass brown sunlens and Victor Flex brow bar.  One available

 Over the years many famous personalities have chosen Persol and its quality, becoming spontaneous promoters of our brand name: top sportspeople, leading figures in international business and, above all, undisputed celebrities from the world of cinema, a privileged sector for Persol.

Persol Meflecto RATTI vintage Italian motor glasses.  Elegant Black Zyl in a classic rectangle. Timeless Italian style. One available.

 Persol glasses have been worn by great names in international cinema who have chosen the Italian sunglasses par excellence not only on set but also in their day-to-day life. Persol’s long “filmography” began in the 1960s and continues to grow, marking a truly special and magical love story with the movie industry.

We invite you to visit The CateyeSpectacles Boutique to view an authentic, immaculate and Vintage collection of Persol SunWear and Eye Wear available to satisfy an appetite for sophisticated style.    The Persol Sun Wear models featured are a but a handful of the impressive sunglass frames on display by this infamous manufacturer. 

Come see  the first Persol sun design featuring the Persolmatic glass with photosensitivity to light!

*historical information acquired from Persol official website

NEW | Cateye Spectacles Eyewear - vintagedesign

The long wait is over !  Yes, the namesake  CATEYEspectacles COLLECTION   has been released!  It is received with critical acclaim by the Los Angeles eye-wear design community.  This anticipated collection derived from vintage glam has a timeless essence rooted in an intellectual aesthetic.

Wood Grain relief finish is rare but methodically used in this piece from the home collection to create a particularly casual and yet sophisticated look which is anything but ordinary.

It is SMART
It is FASHIONABLE, CLASSIC and ELEGANT
It is VINTAGE INSPIRED
It is TIMELESS
IT IS  CATEYEspetacles COLLECTION

 model CAIN has appealing beveled front facets and a ridge bisecting the temple incorporated into the form, in order to stylize the frame as distinguished in its level of design sophistication, yet utilizes the most certain forceful lines designed to cut the brow and create a complexity of masculine drama.

The design team for  CATEYEspectacles COLLECTION  consists of Artists and Opticians who have spent years accumulating, for their Boutique collections,  the most famous optical and sun-glass styles comprised of the very finest vintage eye-wear,  reflecting generational revolutions of aesthetic philosophies throughout Europe, Asia and the States.  The critically acclaimed collection is a result of years of focus on acquiring specifically important and pivotal styles of eye-wear, and it has been said, these years were spent, as pupils of the trade and its history, learning about  the design subtleties in eye-wear and sun-wear evolution.
 The particular brand of conditioning from this exposure, has developed, in them, the intuitive ability to design a classic and timeless eye-wear collection delivering shapes accented by time tested angles and cuts which compliment every face form and personal wardrobe style.   The effort has resulted in a sophisticated understanding, of timeless eye-wear fashion and trends,  advantageous to designing the CATEYEspectacles COLLECTION.

The highest level of Manufacturing standards are achieved with the use of top grade plastics and durable hypoallergenic alloys to create the simple hinges used to guarantee longevity.  The brand intent is for years of wear and enjoyment, serving to grow your eyeglass collections, for use not only as an object for clearer vision but as an 'obje´t de art' for the enhancement of style and the enlightenment to a fashion philosophy.

 Famously Talented  Musician,  Raphael Saadiq,  performs in one of the CATEYEspectacles house collection designs.  He counts the BOSS frame as a favorite among many in his ever expanding colleciton of designer eyewear both vintage and modern.

Please do Enjoy CATEYEspectacles COLLECTION eye-wear and sunglass-wear specifically   designed with respect for your discerning tastes.


Thank You from the designers of CATEYEspectacles COLLECTION, who are also the collectors who search tirelessly to stock our vintage boutiques, for your continued support of our particular brand of style!


The CATEYEspectacles Staff.

SHURON | Red, White and Blue | AMERICANA

Shuron has been an optical manufacturer since 1865. Shuron has survived almost 140 years within three centuries and two millenniums by producing quality, fashionable products that remain in style and demand. Very few companies in the world can make such a claim.

Today, Shuron remains a stable force in the ever changing optical industry by producing quality frames manufactured with the best raw materials. Names that have survived the test of time like the Ronsir, Icebreakers, Ronwinne, Freeway, Nulady, and many more continue the classic tradition of Shuron.

 The availability of Shuron's classic frames along with the new additions of the Regis collection, Convertible collection and the automotive division have Shuron poised to be successful in the new millennium.

Shuron will be proud to serve its new customers like it was proud to have been the primary source of optical products and machinery for independent and new wholesale laboratories in the 1920's, proud to have served the US Army troops in WWII by providing mobile optical units, and proud to have served the millions upon millions (ie, The Ronwinne-Rimway Frame had its 7,000,000th sale on September 3, 1946, while the Ronsir had its 16,000,000th sale on August 6, 1971) of previously satisfied customers.

Independence Day, 4th of July 2011

Limited Quantities avialable at the Cateye Spectacles Boutique.


 Shuron's success nationwide, as well as internationally, for over 150 years of 
the companie heritage,  is celebrated in this RED, WHITE AND BLUE special edition release of the iconic Ronsir model.....Experience the classics, or try the latest. 

Vue dc Eyewear

Sharing a passion of the beautiful hand made objects is often the occasion for an exchange of ideas and experiences. Past and future, antique and modern have been a source of inspiration in designing the Vue dc collection. The eyeglass is a reference to the object and the particular attention on this reference should be evolutionary “Tradition is knowledge”. In 2007, Yoma,Christian and Frederic, granted with their long experience in the world ,founders of Vue dc… wanted to focus on a simple idea : “Seeing the future by reflecting the past” . The love of authenticity and the knowledge of hand made craftsmanship transmitted through generations of artisans , were also the basic elements of the creation of the collection.
The selection of colors acetate, the choice of cutting the materials in a specific thickness highlighting the volume of the frame and the final hand polishing were the important elements contributing to the development of Vue dc… The purity of lines and the antagonism of the design created a collection defined as much by its creators than its wearers. All stages of the manufacturing process are entirely made in France, a country of great tradition in artisanal creation.

AngloAmericanOptical frame England

Anglo American Optical Company LTD was founded in London in 1882, with over 120 years of frame making experience. They pride themselves in manufacturing the highest quality zyl frames in the industry. The company started producing frames by hand and have perfected what is an art.

WHAT MAKES ANGLO AMERICAN FRAMES DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS:

All Anglo American Frames start out as a handmade frame. They produce a piece from an original drawing and inspect it to make sure the finished product is exactly what the designer had in mind. They travel the world to find the richest colors, and highest quality zyl on the market.

Anglo American Optical uses cellulose acetate.  Making the frames from this cotton based material makes each frame hypo-allergenic; as opposed to petroleum based plastic that may cause skin irritation and have a tendency to crack easily.

Anglo American Optical manufactures ophthalmic and sunglass frames.  All their sunglasses are ophthalmic ready and come with stock CR39 lenses that are UV400 coated.

Anglo American Optical metal frames are manufactured with different alloys such as nickel, stainless steel, titanium, and copper. All the frames are light, durable, and comfortable to wear.

Andy Wolf Eyewear Trunk Show

 Andy Wolf Eyewear Trunk Show

ANDY WOLF Fashion Gmbh
Am Ökopark 21, 8230 Hartberg
Phone: +43 3332 61352
Fax: +43 3332 61352-50
ATU 62848912, FN 282827y
hello@andy-wolf.at

  

Austrian hand made eyewear is produced with impeccable quality and design value.  The reputation for frame manufacturing excellence has been taken very serious in this region for many decades by the artisans who have come to master this specialization.  Andy Wolf frames are created through delicate processes improved upon year after year and passed down from one craftsman to the next.  

Artististry in design philosophies are always reminiscent of the Austrian culture reflecting elegant yet modern Germanic tones of a utilitarian approach.  The lines are strong, defined and hard  yet seem to thin out and disappear when it is necessary for them to do so.   Rigid yet soft qualities have become a sort of trademark, identifying Austrian design which is repeatedly visible in  the compounding number of notable pieces released over the past decades from this region.  Remarkable is this school of eyewear design and it has found incredible success.  Andy Wolf,  Vienna line,  Silhoutte and others have built a reputation on a distinctive design quality grounded in impeccable manufacturing and this has been increadibly well recieved by critics world wide for decades now. 

Andy Wolf eyeglass frames are sold only at exclusive boutiques and are purchased by discerning wearers of timeless, incomparable and distinctive eyewear.

Join us at CATEYE SPECTACLES BOUTIQUE for an amazing showing of some of the most exciting new styles from the ANDY WOLF EYEWEAR  collection and enjoy a special 10% off discount on purchases made from the the Trunk Show which will be held on Saturday, May 21st from 1 - 7pm and Sunday, May 22nd from 1 - 5pm. 

Come early for first dibs on an exciting collection shown by an Andy Wolf Representative who will be answering questions about the design philosophy behind the brand and the colorful history of the company's artists who collaborated to conceive and build the brand.

CHECK OUT   Andy Wolf handmade has something to show YOU on YOUtube.

Randolph Engineering Eyewear quality you can see and trust!

Randolph Engineering, Inc., A.K.A. RE, was founded in 1972 by two engineers, Jan Waszkiewicz and Stanley Zaleski. Both worked hard to transform their American dream into a reality. At inception, the company focused on designing and manufacturing optical tools and machinery for the trade. The vision of the cofounders was to build the cornerstone of the business on advanced engineering principles. In time, the company turned its attention to making its own eyewear, using the tools and machinery designed and manufactured by the company itself.

In 1982, RE became the prime contractor for military-style aviation flight glasses for the U.S. Department of Defense. During this decade, we solidified ourselves as the lead vendor to various U.S. Government Agencies for sunglasses, ophthalmic eyewear, and certain niche optical products. By the early 1990’s, we expanded our sales to offer commercial lines of premium products: sunglasses, shooting eyewear, and prescription frames. Today, Randolph Engineering, Inc. has evolved into a full service commercial business with highly skilled engineers and experienced staff. Manufacturing operations are performed at our headquarters located in Randolph, Massachusetts.

Theri eyewear appeals not only to military pilots and active outdoor enthusiasts who favor the performance of our products, but also to those who appreciate our distinctive quality.