Oakley eyewear and sports equipment

Oakley is a globally recognized brand that revolutionized the sports performance and lifestyle eyewear market. Founded by James Jannard in 1975 in his garage with an initial investment of $300, the brand started with motorcycle grips before expanding into goggles and eventually sunglasses. Oakley's reputation was built on high-quality optics and innovative designs tailored for professional athletes.

Historically, Oakley was a fiercely independent American company headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California. However, in 2007, the brand was acquired by the Italian eyewear giant Luxottica Group. This acquisition integrated Oakley into one of the world's largest eyewear portfolios, allowing for expanded global distribution and manufacturing capabilities across Europe and Asia.

Today, Oakley is an integral part of EssilorLuxottica, the entity formed by the merger of Essilor and Luxottica. While the brand maintains a strong identity tied to its Southern California roots and continues to produce many of its high-end custom products in the United States, its global supply chain leverages the extensive manufacturing network of its Franco-Italian parent company. The ultimate ownership lies with EssilorLuxottica, which is headquartered in Charenton-le-Pont, France.