Persol

founded by

Giuseppe Ratti

belongs to

Luxottica Group

about

Persol is an Italian eyewear company specializing in sunglasses. The name is derived from "per il sole," which, in Italian, means "for the sun." Presently, the company is famous for its durable sports sunglasses. Its trademark is the silver arrow, and several of the company's glasses feature this symbol.

It started with Giuseppe Ratti's optical business in Turin in 1917 and now belongs to the Luxottica Group.

Amongst its many successes are the invention in 1939 of flexible arms made of Meflecto acetate, the arrow hinge and the 649 model from 1957, which was worn by Marcello Mastroianni in the movie Divorzio all'Italiana, by Tom Cruise in Cocktail, and by Jack Nicholson in Blood & Wine.

Persol's defining feature is their polarized, anti-reflective, photosensitive lenses made from very pure silicon based crystal.

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 form the world of sport, such as Jean Alesi in 96 and 97.

Persol was introduced to the United States in 1962. Its first boutique opened on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles in 1991.

By 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.

In April 1995 Persol trademark was acquired by the Luxottica Group, world leaders in the sector, and turned it into a major international reality. Persol thus became one the most important brand names on the worldwide eyewear scene while maintain its roots and loyalty to tradition and quality. Indeed. Luxottica continues to make Persol glasses in the historical factory in Lauriano (Turin) where still today they are made with the same care and attention they have always received.