Polaroid Eyewear celebrates 75 years
The name Polaroid evokes memories of pulling faces and excited anticipation as images come into focus. Sadly its method of photography has faded along with those old photographs pinned to so many bulletin boards. But before the instant cameras there were Polaroid sunglasses, accessories that used the company's patented polarising material to diffuse white glare and increase visibility.
Polaroid's sunglasses have managed to survive the technological revolution - the brand was snapped up last year by the Italian eyewear conglomerate Safilo - and last night they celebrated 75 years with an event at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and a new line of 10 styles called Polaroid Plus, which will be available for purchase in Spring 2013.
The MoMA event featured local DJs the Misshapes and an accompanying exhibition celebrating some of the brand's most enduring styles - like the leather-sided aviator glasses that reappeared from time to time throughout the 20th century after their debut by Polaroid in the 1930s.
Some interactive displays were also designed to literally throw guests in the spotlight, so they could experience for themselves the polarising technology, updated for the new generation of glasses (which, incidentally, were on hand for trying on). Also on show, was an original pair from 1946, which sits within MoMA's collection of Architecture and Design after being donated to MoMA by Edgar Kaufmann Jr, heir to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
In memoriam: Richard Serra (1938-2024)
We remember American artist Richard Serra, whose vast sculptures transformed landscapes around the world
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Architectural gardens around the world to soothe the soul
From small domestic gardens, to nature reserves, urban interventions and local parks, here are some of the finest green projects that place nature at their heart
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Corfu hotel Domes Miramare redefines beachfront bliss
Make like Jackie O at Corfu hotel Domes Miramare, a property with contemporary luxury and echoes of 1960s glamour in spades
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Brunello Cucinelli takes a Roman holiday to launch new eyewear collection
Wallpaper* joined Brunello Cucinelli’s opulent festivities at Rome’s Villa Aurelia, which heralded a new eyewear collection created in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica
By Jack Moss Published
-
Inside Grace Wales Bonner’s ‘Spirit Movers’ at MoMA, a meditation on Black expression
Part of MoMA’s ‘Artist’s Choice’ series, British fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner curates an energetic collation of works inspired by the styles, forms and sounds of the African diaspora
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
Salvatore Ferragamo’s new sunglasses give summer an injection of colour
Inspired by the house’s famed 1938 ‘Rainbow Shoe’ and the colourful vigour of 1980s accessories, a new sustainably minded collection of sunglasses from Salvatore Ferragamo is ready for brighter days ahead
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Made in Italy eyewear from Brunello Cucinelli and Oliver Peoples
Here are five new eyewear designs to covet as Brunello Cucinelli and Oliver Peoples team up to focus on craftsmanship and heritage
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Warby Parker and Entireworld’s socially conscious sunglasses
These two American brands have teamed up to create a colourful take on Warby Parker’s classic ‘Hatcher’ sunglasses, including a donation to the Equal Justice Initiative
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
JW Anderson x Persol: sunglasses to style up the summer heatwave
‘I have always been a fan of Persol,’ says Jonathan Anderson. ‘They are a design classic; I wear them all the time’
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Kengo Kuma sunglasses: wearable architecture?
The renowned Japanese architect has teamed up with eyewear brand Vava on a capsule collection incorporating sustainable, organic materials and the latest in 3D-printing technology
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
The 3D-printed biobased opticals inspired by French cinema
Three new sustainable styles draw on the sultry French Riviera setting of Schneider’s 1969 thriller La Piscine
By Dal Chodha Last updated