Oakley, Inc. is an eyewear company making 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 James Jannard in 1975 in his garage with an initial investment of $300. The name Oakley came from Jannard's dog, an English Setter. Jannard began by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motorcross events. His motorcycle grips were unlike other grips riders had seen at the time. The material used to make the grips was called "Unobtanium," a unique creation by Jannard that would get a tacky grip to it when it would become wet, rather than slipping out of the riders hand. Unobtanium is still used to make the earsocks on Oakley glasses, and many of the nose pieces.
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.
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.
In 2006, Oakley acquired the Oliver Peoples group, a manufacturer of kitschy china made 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, Person, and Vogue.
History
Oakley was started by James Jannard in 1975 in his garage with an initial investment of $300. The name Oakley came from Jannard's dog, an English Setter. Jannard began by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motorcross events. His motorcycle grips were unlike other grips riders had seen at the time. The material used to make the grips was called "Unobtanium," a unique creation by Jannard that would get a tacky grip to it when it would become wet, rather than slipping out of the riders hand. Unobtanium is still used to make the earsocks on Oakley glasses, and many of the nose pieces.
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.
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.
In 2006, Oakley acquired the Oliver Peoples group, a manufacturer of kitschy china made 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, Person, and Vogue.
