Not-for-profit organisation, OneSight, and Ray-Ban have collaborated to redevelop the iconic Wayfarer sunglasses in three designs, as a Special Edition Indigenous collection, to help raise funds for eye health programs in disadvantaged Indigenous communities.
Featuring the Indigenous artwork of Saretta Fielding, the sunglasses were launched at a Sydney event coinciding with World Sight Day on 9 October.
The designs were selected through a competition, which invited emerging Indigenous artists to submit their artworks for the opportunity to be represented on an iconic fashion piece.
Ms. Fielding was announced the winner during the Australian Indigenous Fashion Week in April. She said she was inspired by a rock engraved figure at the ‘Map Site’ Mount Yengo, a special ceremonial meeting place.
“The large red and yellow circles represent the figure’s eyes showing he sees all and thus the importance placed on physical sight. The white circles containing many eyes refer to our spiritual sight closely connected to knowledge and wisdom.”
OneSight Director Robyn Weinberg said there was a great synergy in launching the Ray-Ban Indigenous Special Edition Wayfarer on World Sight Day, the main international event for raising awareness about avoidable blindness and vision loss.
OneSight, founded by Luxottica, works closely with Aboriginal communities in Australia to build sustainable eye health management programs and AU$50 from the sale of each pair of glasses will go to the not-for-profit organisation to support these programs.
The sunglasses will also be housed in the Australian Museum as part of the permanent Indigenous collection.
The special edition indigenous collection is available from OPSM nationally.
