Sunglasses play a central role in the overall style of Italian men and women; not only because the weather is often bright and sunny but also because it’s often the perfect way to compliment a Sprezzatura outfit. A well chosen pair of sunglasses can add a fleeting sense of mystique to your image while giving you the opportunity to accessorize your wardrobe with your own unique taste.
There are dozens of fashion brands and manufacturers in Italy that make their own sunglasses but a few stand out from the rest. These sunglasses manufacturers have built up international brands that are famous for quality, style and unrivaled craftsmanship.
Trussardi.
Trussardi is a leading Italian fashion house that was founded in Milan in 1911 as a leather glove manufacturer. In the 1970s, when Nicola Trussardi took over the company from his uncle he expanded its lines to include ‘ready to wear’ clothes, accessories and even perfumes. As part of this expansion, Trussardi also began to produce sunglasses, and it wasn’t long until they had secured their place in the hearts of Italian fashionistas as one of the nation’s leading brands.
Trussardi is one of Milan’s most iconic fashion brands and have managed to stay ahead of the competition by focusing their collections on the most cutting edge trends. Incorporating the buzzing metropolitan feel of Milan with a subtle, vintage feel, Trussardi sunglasses are a great choice for anyone looking for some authentic Italian flair.
Vanni Occhiali.
Born in 1907 in Milan, Giovanni Vitaloni, known as Vanni to his friends and family, was a talented artist with a personal interest in technical projects. He soon turned his entrepreneurial skills to founding his business, Vanni, and went on to create a fashion brand that was passed down through the family’s generations.
In 1990 Vanni launched its sunglasses line in Turin and instantly caught the attention of retailers all over the world. Vanni makes sunglasses primarily aimed at women. The brand has an amazing range of sunglasses that are bold, classy and elegant in equal measures. As the company says, their sunglasses are for ‘seeing and being seen in’, so if you don a pair of Vanni’s eyewear you can be sure to turn heads on the beach.
Gucci.
Gucci is one of the global giants in fashion and was founded in 1921 in Florence by Guccio Gucci. The company has a huge line of products including ‘ready to wear’ clothes, handbags, footwear, fragrances and, more recently, sunglasses. Best known for their innovative high-end fashion styles, Gucci sunglasses are a household name and an ideal choice if you’re buying your first pair of Italian sunglasses.
In recent years Gucci has acquired the nickname of ‘Geek Chic’ in fashion circles, so if you’re a student or just a bit of a bookworm then a pair of Gucci shades are the ideal way to complement your inner self! Eclectic, romantic and always up-to-date, Gucci shades will keep the sun out of your eyes as you roam the streets of modern day Florence with a book in hand.
Web Eyewear.
This legendary Italian sunglasses specialist creates modern, tasteful and high quality eyewear that protects your eyes while providing you with a real sense of understated confidence. From ultra minimalist lenses which are designed for everyday use to more daring frames, Web Eyewear is fast becoming one of Italy’s favorite eyewear brands for routine use.
As the company manifesto says, these sunglasses are made for ‘dream chasers and dream makers’, so if you fit that bill then this eye-catching brand is definitely for you!
Emporio Armani.
As one of the globe’s best-loved fashion brands, Emporio Armani produces a huge range of items including ‘ready to wear’ clothes, leather goods, jewelry, watches, footwear, handbags and a superb range of sunglasses to suit all styles. The brand has gone from strength to strength and is now considered to be Italy’s second largest fashion house.
The Emporio Armani sunglasses collection is extremely versatile and ranges from haute couture frames to everyday beach use. Perfect for a stroll along the promenade, sipping a beer with your friends or hiking in the hills, Armani has more than earned its place as one of Italy’s leading sunglasses brands.
Armani is also an A-Lister favorite with celebrities such as David Beckham, Megan Fox, Christiano Ronaldo and Rihanna all having modeled for the company.
Baruffaldi.
Founded in the early 1930s in Milan, Baruffaldi first hit the spotlight as a producer of sunglasses and goggles for skiing, motor car racing and mountaineering. As a result of the high-impact, extreme sports athletes that they were designing sunglasses for, Baruffaldi had to deliver the most durable and high quality eyewear possible.
These high standards have remained, even as they branched out into more sedentary aspects of the sunglasses industry. In their current collection, 70% of the sunglasses allow you to combine them with optical lenses making this a great choice if you normally wear reading glasses. They have a nice selection of frames so you’ll find shades and styles to suit every look for your daily life.
Luxottica (Ray-Ban & Oakley).
Leonardo del Vecchio established Luxottica in 1961 in Agordo, a beautiful village outside of Belluno. The company was initially launched to produce specialist accessories and high-precision elements for the optics industry. However, in the 1970s Vecchio expanded his company and launched his first collection of eyewear.
40 years later the company went public and in 2018 it merged with Essilor. Today, the company is the global leaders in all aspects of the eyewear industry. This includes the design, production and worldwide distribution of glasses and sunglasses. Currently, Luxottica has around 9,000 shops in 150 countries!
As Luxottica grew it acquired a huge portfolio of some of the biggest names in the sunglasses industry, including, among others, Oakley, Persol, and Vogue Eyewear. However, the undoubted jewel in its crown was the acquisition of Ray-Ban, an iconic American giant in eyewear. Luxottica bought Ray-Ban in 1999 for almost $700 million, helping to revitalize the fortunes of the ailing American brand.
Luxottica makes eyewear for Chanel, Armani, Versace, Burberry and many others. Luxottica also owns popular chains in America such as Sunglass Hut, Pearl Vision and LensCrafters.
The MIDO Exhibition In Milan – The World’s Largest Eyewear Exhibition.
Each year in February, Milan hosts the MIDO in the Fiera Milano in Rho, just outside of Milan. For over 50 years the MIDO has been setting global trends in the eyewear industry, attracting over 20,000 industry professionals, visitors and press to the prestigious event.
The 3 day exhibition hosts all the leading manufacturers, distributors, representatives and agents who get together to learn about the latest trends in the eyewear industry. As well as stalls and exhibits the event puts on seminars, workshops, company presentations, conferences and a whole range of industry-related events.
Sunglasses Are Part Of Italian Fashion & Culture For Generations.
Italy is a world leader in all aspects of fashion, and sunglasses are no exception. With generations of experience and a long-standing reputation for quality, elegance and trend setting style, the Italian fashion houses are more than a cut above the rest. For the very best brands, styles and frames you should always have the top Italian brands at the forefront of your mind.
No matter what you’re looking for, the Italian sunglasses brands have got you covered. From understated, practical frames to bold, Haute Coulter high fashion sunglasses, there’s an Italian brand that has what you’re looking for amongst their extensive collections.
