Ray-Ban Turns Its Lenses Inside-Out With Concave ‘Reverse’ Sunglasses

Ray-Ban is turning the sunglass world upside-down and inside-out with its latest lineup of Ray-Ban Reverse lenses. Traditionally, lenses in any pair of spectacles would look the same, featuring a cut-out piece of glass that has been shaped to fit its frame. Most have a convex shape, which follows the shape of one’s eyes and allows enough light to flow into them.
 
‘Reverse’, on the other hand, curves inward in a concaved shape, leaning towards the wearer’s eyes instead. In addition, the new lenses are made with bio-based nylon and carbon to give them an anti-glare finish and reduce reflections.

Per Fashion Network, Federico Buffa, R&D product style licensing director for Ray-Ban parent company EssilorLuxottica, mentioned that the brand was able to create this special version through a new proprietary technology that allows the traditional shape to be inverted. In addition, a 3D-modeling system enables the lens to take up a new degree of concavity without allowing any refraction of light.
 
In an interview with Fast Company, Buffa said that the new lens does make for more precise and sharper vision as it’s curved towards the face. However, ultimately the decision to make it was for aesthetic purposes.

The Reverse lineup currently consists of four iconic styles from the brand: the Wayfarer, the Aviator, the Caravan, and the Boyfriend. All are sold for US$185, except for the Caravan, which will cost US$210.
 

[via Fast Company and Fashion Network, images via Ray-Ban]