Persol: Italian elegance never goes out of style.

Persol is a brand that combines Italian craftsmanship , a fascinating history, and timeless appeal in the world of sunglasses. Let's discover together everything there is to know about this splendid brand.

The origins: from Turin to international legend

Persol was born in 1917 in the Turin laboratory of Giuseppe Ratti , a visionary optician who designed glasses for pilots and athletes. Initially, the goal was not just "beautiful," but highly technical: glasses for pilots, athletes, and drivers with special needs for protection from the sun, dust, and wind.
The name Persol derives from “for the sun” , and already embodies the brand’s mission: to protect the eyes with style and innovation.

History and development of the Persol brand

Over the years, Persol has stood out for its fusion of technical functionality and style:

• It initially established itself with the Protector model, adopted by the nascent Italian Air Force for its pilots and subsequently also by the American one.

• In 1957 the historic Persol 649 model appeared, designed for Turin tram drivers who needed extensive protection: air, dust, sun.

• In the 1960s and 1970s, thanks also to movie personalities (think of Steve McQueen with the 714 model) and its presence in numerous expeditions to the limit of the extreme (such as that of Reinhold Messner in the Himalayas), Persol gained ground in the “cool” world of cult glasses.
  

• In 1995 the brand was acquired by the Luxottica Group SpA, while maintaining a strong Italian component " made in Italy "

A century of craftsmanship and innovation

Each Persol pair of glasses is a small masterpiece of design and precision.
The features that make it unique are:

✅ Silver Arrow – the iconic symbol of the brand, inspired by pilots' helmets
✅ Premium materials – high-quality cellulose acetate and optical crystals
✅ Italian artisan production – each model goes through over 30 manual phases
✅ Meflecto System – is one of the brand's distinctive features, patented flexible temples designed for superior comfort

Persol's legendary models

Persol 649
Created in 1957 for Turin tram drivers, it has become an international style icon.

Persol 714
Folding version of the 649, made famous by Steve McQueen who customized his glasses with signature blue lenses — elegance, practicality and timeless appeal.

Special Collections
The Calligrapher Edition and Re-Make lines combine contemporary design and a vintage spirit, ideal for those who love refined detail.

Persol today: tradition and new visions

In 2024, Persol launched the “Handmade Since 1917” campaign, celebrating Italian craftsmanship with new acetate frames and reinterpretations of classic models.
A clear sign: the brand continues to evolve, without ever losing its roots.

Conclusions

Persol is a brand with history, style, and substance. It's not just a pair of glasses, but a statement of style that unites past and present, technology and passion, in a timeless form.

Perfect models for those seeking quality, history, Made in Italy and preferring classic, evergreen frames over fleeting fashion trends.

Discover the most beautiful Persol models in the "Boutique" section of Mr. Shades Shop, all original and guaranteed, at super affordable prices ( click here )