Oakley, Inc.
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| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports equipment |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Jim Jannard |
| Headquarters | , USA |
Key people | Jim Jannard - Chairman [1] Scott Olivet - CEO Colin Baden - President |
| Owner | Luxottica Group S.p.A. |
| Website | http://www.oakley.com |
Oakley, Inc. is a company known mostly for their high end sunglasses , sports visors, and ski goggles. They also make watches, clothing, bags, backpacks, shoes, prescription glasses, football and hockey eyewear, and other accessories.
History
Oakley was started by Jim Jannard in 1975 in his garage with an initial investment of $300. Jannard began by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motocross events. His motorcycle grips were unlike other grips riders had seen at the time.
Although the grips were successful, brand recognition was limited as the grips were usually concealed by the riders' hands. In 1980, Jannard released a pair of goggles called the O-Frame. With the 'Oakley' logo present on the strap, onlookers began to recognize the brand. In 1984, Oakley introduced a pair of sunglasses called the Eyeshade, which were made of plastic and featured removable lenses. They were popularized by Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and other professional cyclists. Oakley continued to introduce new models of sunglasses, including the Blades, Razor Blades, Frogskins, and the Mumbos, which eventually evolved into the M-Frame series of glasses.[2]
Oakley signed a four-year agreement to manufacture eyewear designed by it and Fox Racing in September 2004. These products are sold as the Fox Eyewear brand.[3]
In 2006, Oakley acquired the Oliver Peoples group, a manufacturer of high-end fashion branded eyewear.
On June 21 2007, Italian group Luxottica announced a plan to merge with Oakley in a cash deal worth $2.1 billion, and the deal was completed on November 15, 2007. Oakley is now in the portfolio of Milan-based Luxottica group, along with other brands such as Ray-Ban, Persol, and Vogue.[4]
As of February 2nd, 2009, the ever-popular X-Metal Juliet's and Romeo's are discontinued, as well as all lenses associated with them. However, recent Oakley website alterations would appear to indicate updated builds are soon to be released, to now include Oakley's hydrophobic lens technology at the minimum.
Materials
Oakley sunglasses comply with the ANSI Z87.1 requirements for impact and high impact protection.
Other
- Unobtainium is the name of Oakley's hydrophilic (water-attracting) synthetic rubber that increases grip when wet, usually applied to the contact points of the glasses (nose and sides of the head). The Unobtainium ear socks and nose pieces tend to deteriorate under regular use. However they can be replaced by virtue of replacement kits. Unobtainium of some formula was first used in Oakley's first product, the Oakley Grips.
Popular Culture
Oakley sunglasses routinely appear in popular movies (particularly action films), including the X-men series, Mission: Impossible 2, Blade 2, Black Hawk Down (although historically out of place[5]), Spider-Man, and others.
The X-metal/Ruby Iridium Penny (with sideblinders not available for public) worn by James Marsden's Cyclops in X-men was a one off lens made to look extra red for the cameras. Actor James Marsden frequently complained about headaches caused by the extreme tint. Also the visor that Cyclops uses in action is a custom made by Oakley.
Rapper/Producer Lil' Jon is both an Oakley collector and a spokesperson/model for the company, and has several signature versions of Oakley eyewear. Lil Jon's most known Oakley is the Oil Drum.
Poker player Phil Hellmuth is sponsored by Oakley. He wore Oakley gear during the inaugural World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions event. It should be noted that Hellmuth, who usually wears his UltimateBet gear, chose to wear his Oakley gear mainly because the coordinators of the event did not allow advertisement for any online poker websites. In addition, Hellmuth usually chooses to wear the Oakley THUMP when playing on the tournament circuit.
Rapper/R&B Artist T-Pain has referenced the eyewear several times in his songs, one reference can be in the Unk 2 Step Remix as well as Buy U a Drank. T-Pain's most known Oakley is the Oil Rig.
Oakley signed a deal with Ducati to produce a range of Ducati themed sunglasses and to sponsor the Ducati MotoGP and Superbike teams. Riders past and present such as Casey Stoner, Sete Gibernau and Loris Capirossi have had their own Oakley signature sunglasses. Oakley also sponsor MotoGP riders such as Nicky Hayden.
Oakley also supports many racing drivers in different series. Including famous and successful drivers such as Tony Stewart who has his own limited edition set, Juan Pablo Montoya, Bobby Labonte and Gary Scelzi.
Oakley maintains US Standard Issue, which provides US military and law enforcement eye protection at significantly reduced prices. Very popular amongst US combat troops, Oakley M Frame sunglasses are included as part of the US Army Approved Protective Eyewear List (APEL), and have been assigned an NSN number for ordering through military supply channels.
The box of the computer game Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six shows a member of special forces wearing Oakley goggles. The classic Oakley script is clearly visible on the headband. The Game Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter features Oakley's A Frame, and O Frame tactical goggles, as well as M-frame sunglasses.
Oakley is the sole company that Lance Armstrong has a life time deal with. In June 2007 Oakley created two special edition sunglasses, one the Radar, the other, the Flak Jacket, with "LIVESTRONG" laser-etched on the lens, as well as the iconic yellow color used to represent the Livestrong moniker on the earstems and Oakley logo. In 2008, this collaboration continues with the 2008-spec Straight Jacket, and features the word 'LIVESTRONG' laser-etched on the left lens while the temples and Oakley icon are yellow following the Livestrong Foundation's color.
There have been two jets that were painted in an Oakley paint scheme, both Bombardier Global Express jets belonging to Jim Jannard the owner. Registration: NT2 and N701WH.
Oakley glasses were also featured in Weezer's new song, Pork and Beans, in the lyrics "Oakley makes the shades that transform a tool".
Oakley also sponsors NASCAR figures, like star-driver Tony Stewart. Stewart is often seen wearing Oakley sunglasses around the tracks.
Counterfeit Oakleys
Like many high-priced brand-name accessories, Oakley's sunglasses are often counterfeited and sold in markets around the world that cater to tourists and Internet buyers. Counterfeit Oakleys are often referred to as "Fauxkleys" (a portmanteau of faux and Oakleys) or "Jokeleys." Counterfeit Oakleys are occasionally referred to as Oakeys (pronounced: oak-E's), this is due to an inconsistency between the spelling of "Oakley," written on the bridge, on real Oakleys and fake ones.
Gallery
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Oakley A-Wire with c5 alloy frames
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Oakley Half Wire with a spring hinge -
Oakley Half Jacket -
Oakley Juliet with x-metal frame and ruby iridium lenses -
Oakley X-Metal Juliet with Ruby Iridium lenses (serialled) -
Oakley Penny -
Oakley Fate for women with gold iridium lenses -
Oakley Script for women -
Oakley Unknown with black grey gradient lenses -
Oakley XX with O-matter frames -
Oakley Fat Cat, Cream with Gold Iridium lenses -
Oakley Flak Jacket, Polished White with Ice Iridium lenses -
Oakley Monster Dog, Crystal Black with Black Iridium lenses -
Oakley Valve, Silver with Ice Iridium lenses -
Oakley Scar, Electric Blue with Ice Iridium lenses -
Oakley Splice, Crystal Black/FMJ with Ice Iridium lenses -
Oakley Monster Pup, Matte Black with Grey lenses -
Oakley X-Metal Mars Leather with Gold Iridium lenses -
M Frame with Hybrid S Vented Fire Iridium Polarized Lenses, the smallest lenses made for M Frames. Shown is iconic Oakley sunglasses soft bag
See also
- Sunglass Hut - also owned by Luxottica and features Oakley