Eyewear Art Stirs Up More Controversy

“Michael Elion, the artist behind the giant Wayfarers staring at Robben Island, says he is open to the idea of his work becoming an open site of protest,” reports the Mail & Guardian. “Elion’s controversial artwork, partially sponsored by Ray-Ban eyewear manufacturer and called Perceiving Freedom, was spray-painted earlier this week as a statement against its corporate reflection. The work has been criticised on social media. The statue was positioned on the Sea Point promenade by Elion to commemorate Nelson Mandela, ‘because it would be crazy of me not to acknowledge that the device is looking at Robben Island.’ Mandela was incarcerated on the island for 18 of his 27 years as prisoner. A photograph of Mandela wearing similarly shaped glasses is positioned in the accompanying inscription. It was also stencilled with the words “Myopic Art” and images of slain Marikana miner Mgcineni Noki by the Tokolos Stencil Crew. This week, a petition calling for the artwork to be removed pending an investigation into, among other things, “how Art54 and the City of Cape Town allowed public art to function as advertising” was slowly gaining signatures. Artist Candice Breitz, who fielded a debate on the artwork on her Facebook page, was one of the 300 who had signed the petition by Wednesday.” Read more.

Tribute or Insult to the Mandela Memory?

“A giant pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses has become the most controversial artwork in South Africa,” says Global Post. “Yes, sunglasses — a hulking, steel-gray pair of Wayfarers, perched on a patch of grass along Cape Town's Sea Point promenade and angled in the direction of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were once held. Capetonians awoke Tuesday morning to find the sculpture defaced with a generous helping of spraypaint: “WE BROKE YOUR HEARTS” was written on the frames, and “REMEMBER MARIKANA” stenciled on the lenses, referring to the 2012 police shooting of striking mineworkers at the Marikana platinum mine.” Read more.

Luxottica Re-Licenses Brands and Shops for New Ones

"Ray Ban sunglasses maker Luxottica expects to sign a new eyewear licence worth at least $100 million in sales starting next year, its chief executive said on Friday." That's the word from a Reuter's post. "[Andrea] Guerra [Luxottica's CEO] told Reuters on Thursday the group expects to make at least 160 million euros from the Armani licence in 2014. Asked about possible acquisitions by an attendee at the investor day, Guerra said: 'We are pretty confident that our combination of organic growth and acquisitions will continue.' The company bought U.S. online optical showroom glasses.com earlier this year. An analyst suggested it might now be looking to acquire Hawaii-based sunglasses maker Maui Jim or Danish eyewear manufacturer Lindberg." Read more.

British PM Reportedly Wearing Faux Ray Bans

"He is known for his love of 'chillaxing', and David Cameron looked particularly laid-back today as he soaked up the sun with his family at the Cornbury Music Festival in the Cotswolds," reports the Daily Mail. "However, the Prime Minister raised eyebrows with his choice of attire as he walked around the site barefoot and appeared to be sporting a pair of fake Ray-Ban sunglasses - suggesting that he may have fallen victim of the government's austerity measures. Read more.

Top Selling Sunglasses

Measured in sales, media exposure, Internet searches, and the experience of the purchasing manager for GlassesOnWeb.com, here are the top five sunglasses brands of 2012. See how your sales compare.

1. Ray Ban. This is reported to be the most popular brand among both celebrities and regular people supposedly because they look good on anyone and they come in a variety. The Wayfarers are the model most often seen on celebrities, with over 2,600 spots, according to CelebritySunglassesWatcher.com. Following closely are the classic Ray Ban aviators, the Clubmasters, and then several variations of these styles.

2. Chanel. If it’s Chanel, then it’s chic – this is what most fashionistas would say when faced with the choice of a designer brand, so says the company representative. The signature style of Chanel sunglasses is oversized and dark, like Nicole Richie and Ashley Olsen love to wear.

3. Prada. Prada and Miu Miu reportedly have been trendsetters this year. The Minimal Baroque collection is definitely a celebrity favorite, with fans among the Kardashians or Rihanna.

4. Tom Ford. A product of the Marcolin Italian group, Tom Ford sunglasses are characterized by an interesting type of semi-rim. Most frames feature lenses disconnected from the rim, which creates cut-outs at the sides.

5. Gucci. With sunglasses produced by the Safilo Group, Gucci has a long history of manufacturing quality goods, and is renown worldwide, which makes the customers trust this name. From Angelina Jolie to Miley Cyrus, everyone is a fan of their aviators, and some of their oversized, plastic frames have been sported by Gwen Stefani or Lauren Conra

Vizio Optic Carrying Chanel and Ray Ban Sunwear

Vizio Optic is carrying two new lines of sunglasses, Chanel and Ray Ban Wayfarers.

Chanel: It carries the Fall/Winter 2011 Prestige Collection, featuring the La Chaîne styles with its detailing in silver and gold. The CC logo accents the temples near the hinge.

Ray Ban Wayfarer: The line has received a vintage-inspired update with the Ray Ban Rare Prints sunglasses collection, featuring the Ray Ban 2140 sunglasses model in several Mondrian-esque patterns. Color 1085 is a translucent color block design in red, blue and orange that provides an amazing pop of color in bright light.