Oakley

History
After years of working as a motorcycle parts distributor, a young entrepreneur at heart, James “Jim” Jannard, grew tired of constantly being told to “shut up and sell.” In 1975, he left his sales job and began bringing some of his ideas to life to build his own brand. He decided to name it after his English Setter (Oakley Anne) and set off on a journey that would lead to the most iconic sports eyewear brand the world has ever known.
Oakley is a brand built on a “figure it out yourself” or DIY mindset that rejects societal norms and expectations. Defining a different path is what makes us unique. From the very beginning, the brand never got distracted chasing trends or doing what was “in style.” This ability to stay focused on a singular vision set us on a fixed trajectory: forward. If the mold didn’t exist, we created it. If there was no machine to manufacture our designs, we built it ourselves. And if skeptics told us it was impossible… they were just adding fuel to the fire.