Ray-Ban Emma: Shades with Emotion
Modern fashion has done a lot to become "unisex": women’s pants and tuxedos, boyfriend jeans, oversized t-shirts, men’s piercings. Most sunglasses are also equally suitable for both women and men.
The above reasons make it difficult to define glasses with clear femininity. But in the case of Emma, it's easy! :)
"The Cat That Walks by Herself"
It’s undeniable that Ray-Ban Emma are part of the cat-eye family, as their outer corners playfully tilt upwards. The history of this shape began back in the 1950s, heralding a new, feminine era of sunglasses.
"Cat Eye" was created in the name of extravagance, drawing attention to the wearer’s eyes and face. Additional glamour came from the fashionable embellishments of beads, stones, and glitter at the time.
In the context of cat-eye glasses, we can’t forget the movie that exploded the fashion scene for sunglasses. This is "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961), where Audrey Hepburn’s character doesn’t part with her stylish shades. Later, the "Cat Eye" shape was favored by divas like Marilyn Monroe, Barbara Windsor, Dinah Manoff, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, and Gwen Stefani.
As for the name of the model, there’s a theory that it was given the female name Emma in honor of Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in "Harry Potter." The young actress made a significant contribution to the brand’s popularity, as she often hid from persistent fans and photographers behind her Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
An Old Material
Let’s focus on the model’s characteristics. Emma’s frame is made from acetate—a polymer thermoplastic derived from cellulose through chemical processing of wood, cotton, or wool.
Interestingly, acetate frames are among the oldest, dating back to the 1920s. It’s no surprise, as this material is lightweight, durable, resistant to damage, and flexible in form and color.
The lenses in Ray-Ban Emma are polycarbonate, lighter and more impact-resistant than their glass counterparts. In this model, they are always gradient (by the way, some of Emma’s frames are as well): the color starts saturated at the top and fades to almost transparent at the bottom. Available shades include neutral gray, soft brown, blue, and light purple.
That’s Emma by the world-renowned brand Ray-Ban. A model that can’t be called unisex at all. With its shape, delicate lens shades, and frame, it proudly declares its femininity! :)