The Wayfarer design has been present in popular culture since their creation in 1952; however they have not always been the most desired product on the market. The Wayfarer model went from the height of popularity to the verge of discontinuation and only came back into the public eye after a clever marketing strategy saw film stars, TV personalities and musicians pictured wearing them. The use of celebrity endorsement showed the public that these original heavy plastic moulded glasses were a must have' fashion accessory.
The classic wayfarer design was first seen in the public spotlight when worn by Roy Orbison and was firmly in the public image after being used in the 1981 Blues Brothers film. However this was the beginning of the end for their popularity in popular culture and the following year, was very nearly the end of the Wayfarer model; as the design of plastic moulded frames and straight lenses began to dwindle in public interest in 1981. However a product placement agreement saw Ray Ban Wayfarers ever present in films throughout the late 1980's which made the sunglasses the accessory of the decade.
In the 1990's, wrap around lenses became increasingly popular overtaking the straight edged, heavy plastic effect of the Wayfarer. Yet this wasn't the end of the Wayfarer model, as it experienced another revival in the late 2000's when stars were seen wearing vintage Wayfarers. In the current fashion climate, classic styles and vintage designs are desired. This renewed interest in the Wayfarers, led to Ray Ban tweaking the design of the original RB2140 and creating the modern RB2132 which is a smaller, more curved pair of glasses that retain that classic style but with a modern edge.
Wayfarers still remain an accessory for those looking to fulfil a classy or retro style and are very much at home in the current fashion industry. This has seen some limited edition Wayfarers enter the market with unique patterns and colours used. However the fact that the design is still popular over 50 years after it was first released shows the appreciation people still have for the Wayfarers design and it will certainly be interesting to see if they are still as popular in another half century.