Persol
About Persol
Known for advanced technology, personal comfort and inimitable style, Persol eyewear is the culmination of over a century of advancement. Persol began back in 1917 in Turin, Italy when photographer, engineer and aviator Guiseppe Ratti created the Protectors. These were designed for aviators and sports drivers to protect their eyes and give them better vision. Air Forces, racing drivers and motorcycle racers all adopted them, quickly cementing the success of Ratti.
By the 1930s, Ratti had turned to developing the technology of his eyewear to provide the ultimate in comfort and durability. He patented the Meflecto system, the world’s first flexible stem, designed to reduce pressure on the head and allow the arms of the glasses to adjust to any face shape. The Meflecto remains an important part of Persol eyewear today. The distinctive 3-notch bridge was also developed around this time, as was the iconic arrow hinge, inspired by the swords of ancient warriors.
The brand name Persol came about in 1938 when Ratti decided to use the name given to his first sunglasses, an amalgamation of the Italian phrase ‘per il sole’ meaning ‘for the sun’.
In the 1960s, Persol became known in the Italian cinema world, with the now iconic model 649 making a splash. Steve McQueen took Persol’s notoriety further afield by wearing his 714s (the folding version of the 649) on the set of The Thomas Crown Affair.
Now owned by Luxottica, Persol continues to be a darling of both the action and celebrity worlds. With the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Jay-Z sporting Persol eyewear, you know they have to be among the best. It’s the combination of technical advancement and timeless style that makes them hard to beat. Every pair is still made in the historic factory near Turin, where craftsmanship and engineering go hand in hand. Using top-quality materials and leading-edge technology, artisans use more than 30 stages to produce each pair of Persols. These are not just glasses, they are works of art.
Persol eyewear is sophisticated in style, with a range of designs that are timeless in nature yet on trend. Choose from lightweight acetates in wearable colours or metal frames with classic silhouettes. This is eyewear for the discerning customer and we invite you to try them on in our opticians in Potters Bar, Finchley or Temple Fortune.
