TOP GUN MAVERICK Tom Cruise dons the iconic aviator sunglasses in both his Top Gun films

Glasses have been around much longer than most of us assume, with records as far back as the Roman Empire.

According to records written by Roman writer Pliny the Elder, Emperor Nero was known for sporting emeralds over his eyes to watch gladiator matches. The emeralds supposedly help block off sunlight and help with the emperor’s nearsightedness. Nowadays, glasses are commonplace, used for several reasons, whether for blocking out the sun, aiding the vision, or enhancing a movie-watching experience. Here are some iconic eyewear styles that have stood out over the years.
The amazing aviators
It’s hard to imagine Tom Cruise without the iconic Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses in his Top Gun movies.
Aviator sunglasses saw their rise to fame during World War II, with fighter pilots using the aviators as an alternative to clunky goggles. The lightweight design also felt easier on the eyes, their smaller build allowing pilots to put them on without having to take off their helmets. US General Douglas MacArthur famously rocked the aviators upon his arrival in Leyte in 1944, just before he declared his momentous return.

I HAVE RETURNED General Douglas MacArthur is regarded as the man that made aviators popular. He had them on when he landed in Leyte in 1944

The tantalizing tortoiseshell spectacles

I AM NINOY Senator Ninoy Aquino was known as a popular opposition figure and easily identified with his thick tortoiseshell glasses

“The Filipino is worth dying for,” a quote as recognizable as the glasses worn by Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
Aside from being known as one of the most vocal critics of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Ninoy Aquino was easily recognizable through his thick tortoiseshell glasses. The look was so iconic that Aquino’s glasses continue to be used as a symbol of his legacy.

Tortoiseshell glasses had a controversial start. Their earlier production methods used actual tortoise shells to create their distinct appearance. Fortunately, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species outlawed the use of actual shells worldwide in 1973. Plastic and acetate offered an alternative that put tortoises in no harm.

The wonder of Windsor glasses

IMAGINE THAT Singer John Lennon and the Windsor glasses have become so synonymous that the pair is often referred to as the ‘John Lennon glasses’

Windsor glasses are known for their distinct round shape. They have been worn by many notable figures, fictional and non-fictional.

Think Harry Potter, whose glasses are almost inseparable from the scar marking him as “the boy who lived.” Older folks might think of historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi or Hollywood great Groucho Marx. If there’s one universal figure that brought the Windsor glasses to the mainstream, though, it would have to be John Lennon from The Beatles. The look has been associated with Lennon so much that it is sometimes referred to as the “John Lennon glasses.”

If you’re looking to sport your own pair of glasses, look no further than the newest Vision Express branch in Glorietta 2, Makati City.

I HEART GLASSES From left: VEX deputy manager for leasing Karan Gapwani, actress Heart Evangelista-Escudero, VEX president Neelam Gopwani, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Ayala executive Hamm Katipunan, and VEX founder Lal Gopwani partake in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest VEX branch at Glorietta 2 in Makati City

A leader in customized eye care solutions and home of over 80 designer eyewear brands in the country, Vision Express focuses on providing every Filipino with the best quality and most innovative eye care solutions. Vision Express also offers high-tech devices such as its VisionBot, a medically-based full-scoped optometric care device powered by robotic A.I., which lets eye doctors identify and diagnose eye conditions, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eyes, myopia, hyperopia, and diabetic retinopathy.

Vision Express also offers the biggest designer brands such as Ray-Ban, Gucci, Cartier, Saint Laurent, Prada, and Tony Morgan London. If that isn’t enough to entice you, fashion icon and actress Heart Evangelista-Escudero is one of Vision Express’ biggest endorsers. She was present during the launch of its newest store at Glorietta 2 in Makati City. Book your eye care appointment today through vex.com.ph.