Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 18, 2026

Persol

Persol is an Italian luxury eyewear brand specializing in the manufacturing of sunglasses and optical frames. It is one of the oldest eyewear companies in the world and is owned by the Luxottica group. The name is derived from the Italian per il sole, meaning "for the sun". Formed in 1917 by Giuseppe Ratti, Persol originally catered to pilots and sports drivers. Currently, the company markets durable sports sunglasses. The company trademark is a silver arrow.

Last revised
Jun 18, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
202 w
Citations
2
Source
Persol
Founded1917 (1917)
FounderGiuseppe Ratti
Headquarters,
Italy
ProductsEyewear and Sunglasses
OwnerLuxottica
Websitewww.persol.com
Persol Steve McQueen edition sunglasses source ↗

Persol is an Italian luxury eyewear brand specializing in the manufacturing of sunglasses and optical frames. It is one of the oldest eyewear companies in the world and is owned by the Luxottica group. The name is derived from the Italian per il sole, meaning "for the sun". Formed in 1917 by Giuseppe Ratti, Persol originally catered to pilots and sports drivers. Currently, the company markets durable sports sunglasses. The company trademark is a silver arrow.

History

Giuseppe Ratti source ↗

In 1917 Giuseppe Ratti, owner of Berry optical, started producing his first glasses and lenses for athletes and aviators.1 The company developed a flexible stem, known as the patented Meflecto system, which was one of the first spring hinges for eyewear. Persol was introduced to the United States in 1962 and opened its first boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in 1991.

Technology

Currently all plastic Persol spectacles are made in Italy using cellulose acetate.2

References

References

  1. History persol.com
  2. "Quality – A Work of Persol". Luxottica Group S.p.A. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
External links