Roger Federer bought Oliver Peoples sunglasses over 20 years ago. Now, he helps design his own collections for the Los Angeles-based brand, which he shows off on the red carpet at the Met Gala and the Academy Awards.
Federer and Oliver Peoples have announced that they will be partnering on four collection initiatives, the first of which will launch on March 13th with six new sunglass frames that combine both on- and off-court styles. “My sport is chasing the sun 80% of my life, so sunglasses are a lot of fun for me,” Federer says. “One of the main goals of our collection was to create sunglasses that can be utilized in all aspects of daily life, both off and on the court.”
The RF | Oliver Peoples Collection gives the tennis legend a new business foray into the style realm, expanding his eyewear brand into the first-ever high-performance sports lifestyle collection and the first shield style design.
Oliver Peoples CEO Rocco Basilico tells me that it's rare to find an ambassador with as much global appeal as Federer, a “true symbol of our generation.” “His influence is legendary and extends beyond the world of tennis,” he says. “Brands are all about reputation, and Roger has the best reputation of all.”
Federer wore OP Lachman Sun frames at the 2023 Met Gala and later unveiled the co-designed RF | Oliver Peoples' slot on the Academy Awards red carpet on March 10th says the partnership is about giving the new style a unique design. “I love detail,” he says. “That's why I think this collection is so impressive.”
Elements include 8-8-81, Federer's birthday, a special number 8 plate representing his number of Wimbledon titles, and a custom core wire pattern inspired by the threading pattern of tennis racket strings. , and octagons. RF metal logo piece on temple tip. The octagonal shape is inspired by the butt cap of a racket. Each pair features the RF logo on the plaque, temple tip and lens.
The design includes six color-enhancing lenses designed to highlight key colors unique to environments such as water, forests, and cities, a polarized lens to reduce solar glare, and a mirrored lens. Masu. The frame includes rubber-grip nose pads and temple tips for a consistent fit during performance, whether you're on a bike trail, downhill skiing, or in the middle of a tennis point. “I wanted the frame to fit well and not slip,” Federer says. “This has created rubber grip details that fit behind the ears and nose. The frame, especially with its adjustable rubber nose pads, is comfortable without being too tight and provides a secure fit to the face. .''Each pair weighs less than 1.2 ounces.
The collection's flagship model is the eponymous Mr. Federer frame. “This shape is what I wore at the Met Gala and I wanted to find a way to incorporate it into the collection in a sportier way,” the 20-time major tennis champion said, adding that the name and style were well-received. He added that he hopes. Be “symbolic.” The hybrid design is suitable both on and off the court and is available in five different frame colors as an optical option.
The R-1 is also a hybrid design from the collection, also available in five different colors.
The collection includes the brand's first Shield styles, the R-4 and R-5. The R-4 features a semi-matte bio-nylon top bar, while the R-5 is more minimalist with a Windsor rim top bar. “The Shield is very new to me,” Federer said. “I thought, 'Let's give it a try.' I really like the way they turned out. I don't think I've ever seen a shield on the market that performs this high and has a premium feel.”
Adding shield style to the brand offers a fresh approach to Oliver Peoples and stylized performance spaces. “Elegant, approachable, stylish, comfortable and high-performance, we believe that there is nothing else like the Shield on the market,” says Basilico. “It was a great opportunity to invest in a shape that is extremely versatile, both as a powerful sunscreen and as a lightweight accessory to go with your skis.”
In the lifestyle category, R-2 is a semi-rimless metal sunglass with a double bridge detail, while R-3 is a bold acetate frame with Oliver Peoples' signature keyhole bridge.
The frame coloring throughout the collection is inspired by the green ryegrass of Wimbledon in London, the crushed red bricks of Roland Garros in Paris, and the blue color found throughout the US Open in New York City.
Having Federer as a fan and collaborator of the brand makes this new partnership even more special, Basilico said, adding that this first collaboration will create a collection that challenges the possibilities of performance eyewear. He added that the goal is to create a “We hope this eyewear will be embraced by people who want to feel elegant on and off the court without sacrificing performance,” he says.
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