Ray-Ban sunglasses and eyewear

Ray-Ban is a legendary eyewear brand with roots dating back to 1936 in Rochester, New York, where it was created by Bausch & Lomb. Originally developed to meet the needs of U.S. Army Air Corps pilots—leading to the creation of the iconic 'Aviator' style—the brand evolved into a global fashion symbol throughout the 20th century. In 1999, the brand underwent a significant transition when it was acquired by the Italian eyewear giant Luxottica Group for approximately $640 million.

Today, Ray-Ban is part of the EssilorLuxottica portfolio, following the 2018 merger between France-based Essilor and Italy-based Luxottica. While the brand's design and heritage remain deeply rooted in its Italian and American history, its manufacturing has expanded globally to meet massive demand. Currently, Ray-Ban products are manufactured primarily in Italy and China, with additional facilities in Brazil and India serving local markets. The company maintains that all facilities use identical machinery and materials to ensure consistent quality across all production sites. In recent years, the brand has also ventured into smart eyewear through partnerships with Meta, further expanding its global manufacturing footprint into Southeast Asia.