Ray-Ban eyewear

Ray-Ban is one of the world's most recognizable eyewear brands, originally established in 1937 by the American medical equipment manufacturer Bausch & Lomb. The brand gained global fame for developing the Aviator style for U.S. military pilots to reduce glare, followed by the iconic Wayfarer in the 1950s. Today, Ray-Ban is a cornerstone of the global eyewear market, transcending its functional military roots to become a staple of fashion and pop culture.

In 1999, the brand underwent a significant transition when it was acquired by the Italian eyewear giant Luxottica Group. This acquisition shifted the brand's headquarters to Milan, Italy. Following the 2018 merger between Luxottica and the French lens manufacturer Essilor, the brand is now under the ultimate ownership of EssilorLuxottica, a vertically integrated global powerhouse that controls everything from lens design to retail distribution.

While historically associated with 'Made in Italy,' Ray-Ban manufacturing is now distributed globally to meet massive demand. Production primarily takes place in Luxottica's state-of-the-art facilities in Italy and China. Some performance-specific models or regional distributions may also involve facilities in Brazil and India. Despite this geographic spread, the company maintains strict quality control measures to ensure that products meet brand standards regardless of their point of assembly.