The Background and Evolution of 'Frogskins', the Signature Model of Sports Sunglasses Giant 'Oakley'

Oakley was founded by Jim Jannard in California, USA, in 1975. The company subsequently entered the eyewear industry by developing sports goggles. One of Oakley's oldest sunglasses models is the 'Frogskins'.

In this article, we will hear from Alison Jones, the Global Director of Oakley's Product Marketing Division, about how the classic model 'Frogskins' was born, the background of its creation, and the history of its evolution afterward.

Pursuit of Design & Innovation: The Brand Philosophy

Oakley, a leader in the fields of product design and sports performance, currently holds over 900 patents. Global Director Alison Jones speaks about the company's history.
 
"Oakley was born in Southern California by Jim Jannard. It started as an agency for motocross equipment and developed handgrips for motocross bikes."
 
It was surprising that the brand did not handle eyewear from its inception, but how did they get into developing eyewear? Alison Jones continues the story.

"In 1980, Oakley entered the eyewear market with their first MX goggles for motocross called the 'O Frame.' These goggles became popular among top riders and gradually increased the brand's visibility in the eyewear market.
 
"Afterwards, they developed their first sports performance sunglasses and ski goggles. Their products, designed to be stylish and offer the highest level of functionality and comfort, won the trust of athletes, and Oakley grew into a top manufacturer of sports sunglasses. "

It is well-known that world-class athletes, such as golfer Hideki Matsuyama and snowboarder Ayumu Hirano, are contract athletes who use Oakley eyewear.

The History of the Signature Model 'Frogskins'

While Oakley was dominating the field of sports sunglasses and goggles, how was the best-selling model 'Frogskins', a staple on the streets, born? Alison Jones gave us the following answer.
 
"Although Oakley's eyewear was specialized for sports, we judged that there was also an opportunity in the lifestyle sector. Paying attention to details and materials, and applying optical technology, which is the core of sports, to glasses, the classic model 'Frogskins' was born in 1985."

The 'Frogskins', which became hugely popular in the 80s with its lightweight frame and lens combination, faced a temporary suspension of sales in the late 90s. However, the tone of the 80s revival that occurred at the beginning of the 2000s led to the re-issue of the 'Frogskins'.
 
"Now, we are using a sturdy and lightweight 'O Matter™ frame' for the frame. We also made it possible to choose the brand's proprietary technology, the 'Prizm™ Polarized Lens', for the lens."
 
Returning to the details of the archive, the 'Frogskins' has skillfully mixed the latest functions. When it was re-issued in 2007, not only did it have a standard fit, but it also added an 'Asian Fit', perfect for the skeleton of Asian people, securing the popularity of 'Frogskins'.