Oakley, Inc.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can. (November 2007)

Oakley, Inc.
Type	Subsidiary
Founded	1975
Founder	Jim Jannard
Headquarters	Foothill Ranch, California, USA
Key people	Jim Jannard - Chairman ^[1] Scott Olivet - CEO Colin Baden - President
Industry	Sports equipment
Owner	Luxottica Group S.p.A. (NYSE: LUX)
Website	http://www.oakley.com

Oakley, Inc. is a company known mostly for their high end sunglasses and ski goggles. They also make watches, clothing, bags, backpacks, shoes, prescription glasses and other accessories. 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 Luxottica group (located in Milan, Italy) with other brands like Ray Ban, Persol, and Vogue among others.

Oakley's 'O' logo is placed on the sides of most of their glasses and sunglasses. They also employ a skull logo on some of their accessories and clothing. Recently, fashion-oriented models such as the Gascan now employ a squared version of the 'O' logo. The design of both their products and their stores are a futuristic meld of organic and mechanical forms. The futuristic, spaceship-like stores make use of heavily tooled mechanical designs, such as rivets and thick metal hoses visibly connecting the store's light fixtures to a huge overhead "pipeline".

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.

The Oakley Corporation also owns Dragon and manufactures eyewear for Fox Racing. In 2006, Oakley acquired the Oliver Peoples group, a manufacturer of high-end fashion branded eyewear.

1 History
2 Materials
3 Popular Culture
4 Gallery
5 See Also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

Oakley was first started by Jim Jannard in 1975, by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motocross events. They were unlike grips riders had seen at the time.

Although the grips were successful, they were most of the time hidden in the palms of motocross riders as they competed, and thus they did not have a good level of exposure (most people have heard of it, but did not know what they were). It was then in 1980 did Jannard release a pair of goggles called the O-Frame. With the 'Oakley' logo present on the strap, onlookers could now recognize the brand. In 1984, Oakley introduced the Factory Pilot, which were sunglasses in the same shape as the O-Frame, but made of plastic. They also had removable lenses, and were popularized by Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and other professional cyclists. Soon after, Oakley introduced several models of sunglasses, including the Blades, Razor Blades, Frogskins, and the Mumbos, which eventually evolved into the M-Frame series of glasses.

November 15, 2007, Oakley and Luxottica announced a merger between the companies. ^[2] Oakley is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Luxottica Group.

[edit] Materials

Oakley sunglasses comply with the ANSI Z87.1 requirements for impact and high impact protection.

[edit] Frames

Acetate is used for some of the women specific glasses. Not very widely used.

C5 is an alloy of five metals used in most of the 'Wire' series.

Magnesium has been used for a few glasses. It has been discontinued as the ceramic coating on the glasses was notorious for deteriorating due to oxidation.

O-Luminum is the name given to the aluminium alloy used in some Oakley glasses. It has been applied to only two models, of which only the RazrWire remains in production.

O Matter is the name given to the nylon composite used for most of Oakley's plastic eyewear.

Titanium is also used. Some Wires have a Titanium counterpart to their C5 version.

X Metal is a titanium alloy used in the premium 'X Metal' series.

[edit] Lenses

Plutonite is used for all of Oakley's glasses. It is made of polycarbonate and features impact protection as well as an inherent ability to block all forms of UV and harmful blue light.

Lexan is used for some goggles.

In 2006, the company partnered with Transitions Optical to produce Oakley sunglasses with Transitions photochromic lenses. Four colors are currently available.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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^[3]), Spider-Man, and others.

Oakley sunglasses are the signature item of Forensic Scientist Charlie Duncan in the upcoming novel "X Marks the Spot" by Mike Baugh.

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.

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 many times referenced the eyewear in many of his song, one reference can be in the Unk 2 Step Remix as well as Buy U a Drank

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.

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 of 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".

[edit] Gallery

Oakley A-Wire with c5 alloy frames	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