Oakley Apparel, Sunglasses, Watches, and More

Oakley Apparel, Sunglasses, Watches, and More

Oakley, Inc. is an eyewear company based in Foothill Ranch, California making sunglasses, sports visors and ski goggles. They also make watches, clothing, bags, backpacks, shoes, prescription glasses, football (American) and hockey eyewear, and other accessories.

Oakley was started by James Jannard in 1975 in his garage with an initial investment of $300. The name Oakley came from Jannard's dog, an English Setter. Jannard began by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motocross events. His motorcycle grips were unlike other grips available at the time. The material used for the grips, a unique creation by Jannard, became tacky when wet. The material is still used to make the earsocks on Oakley glasses, and many of the nose pieces.
This entire concept then started when Jannard designed the handgrip made of a Unobtainium material, which was later on noticed by professionals. Although his invention did not provide him as much profit as it deserved, and his homespun company was struggling Jannard manufactured the O Frame goggles which had lenses curved in the angle arc of a cylinder. These goggles became a mainstay in MX racing for 17 years with professionals such as Mark Barnett, Marty Smith, or Jeff Ward stating their clarity and wide peripheral view.

In 1980, Jannard released a pair of goggles called the O-Frame. With the 'Oakley' logo present on the strap, onlookers began to recognize the brand.
Oakley signed a four-year agreement to manufacture eyewear designed by it and Fox Racing in September 2004.

In 1983 Oakley began selling ski goggles.
Jannard's marketing concept was based on the idea that serious athletes were able to recognize the superior technology and performance of his products so he started selling eyewear in the late 1980s and early 1990s to top competitors. The marketing approach used by Oakley Company relied on the influence that athletes had in the sport world and it has proved to be an efficient perspective as the popularity of these eyeglasses started to increase, especially among professionals.
The company went public in 1995, after Jannard gave himself a bonus of $21 million. He kept 64.8 % of Oakley Inc. which was valued at about $820 million. Thanks to his very successful business, Jannard became the second richest Orange County resident with holdings valued at $627 million.

In 2006, Oakley acquired the Oliver Peoples group, a manufacturer of high-end fashion branded eyewear.

On June 21, 2007, Italian group Luxottica announced a plan to merge with Oakley in a cash deal worth $2.1 billion, and the deal was completed on November 15, 2007. Oakley is now in the portfolio of Milan-based Luxottica group, along with other brands such as Ray-Ban, Persol, and Vogue.