Cult Clubmaster

Anyone who keeps a beady eye on our blogs will know we’re not averse to blowing Ray Ban’s trumpet now and again. But hold the press, the Wayfarer’s younger brother has reared it’s meddling head to divide your affections. Known simply as the ‘Clubmaster’, this cool model features a 1950’s brow line bar and was Ray Ban’s homage to to the stars of the Fifties and Sixties. First released in 1986, the Clubmaster proved an instant hit as America’s burgeoning hip-hop and pop culture embraced it greedily.

Following the massively successful re-release of the Wayfarer in 2006 and it’s continuing popularity, Ray Ban got smart and produced another ace with the re-launch of their equally iconic Clubmaster model. The original came only in black and tortoiseshell, however lucky Noughties kids can choose from 7 new colours.

As fitting a much-loved star, it’s relaunch was held with grand aplomb at The Bowery Ballroom in New York in December ‘08, with more celebrities in attendance than you could shake a stick at. Taking inspiration from their Fifties and Sixties theme, Ray Ban hired a host of hip American musicians, including The Black Kids, to perform re-worked popular tunes from the vintage era. The guest list read like a promoter’s dream with everyone’s favourite Gossip Girl stars; Blake Lively, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick working the red carpet, alongside Hollywood sweethearts Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson and even the elusive Kevin Bacon put in a rare appearance, perhaps tempted by the retro Eighties Clubmaster and nostalgic for his ‘Footloose’ days?!!

Of course now all the stars have their mitts on these toptastic shades, Ray Ban can rest on their laurels; surely the only way is up. And as for which style to go for… we say a little indulgence never hurt anyone, go on buy a pair of each!

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