History of Aleut- Eskimo Eyewear

Aleut eyewear was worn by those in the frozen north for hundreds of years before the concept was re-introduced as fashion in the 1930’s, the 1950’s, the 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s and into the 2000’s.  Aleutians and or Eskimos wore what slits to protect their eyes from snow blindness. They were made of wood, walrus, leather and whatever materials were available. Some even had a visor over the lenses . This look is still alive today.. with fashion designers.

LiveAuctioneers
LiveAuctioneers
Eskimo Glassess
Aleut Eyewear

How did that evolve? The same type slit/eye protectors showed up in safety and protective eyewear. Used For motorcycle riding and driving. The vision was relatively good and saved the eyes from dust and winds.

http://www.kurzenberger.net An old patent from the 30s ! The slits allow relatively good vision and protect eyes from rainwater as motorcycling . The glasses are made ​​new !
ImageLwww.kurzenberger.net An old patent from the 30s !

We see again a similar look with slits and visors. Called Sun Visors, these sunglasses shaded the eyes. Obviously you couldn’t put a prescription in the lenses. This was just one type of driving glasses.

1934 Driving Glasses
1934 Driving Glasses

This was seen in Popular Mechanics Magazine in November of 1955. The text said: SLIT SPECS, originated by the Eskimos, are considered the most on Canadian ski slopes these days. Glassless, slits guard against sun’s glare. This pair costs $20.

Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics

The 1950’s through the 1970’s the trend re-emerged as Mod Fashion or Space Age Fashion. Courreges, Oliver Goldsmith, Neostyle and other companies came out with their version of now know as Space Age Fashion.

Seen on 1st dibs
Seen on 1st dibs

The single lens slit evolved to a Futuristic look. Sea and Ski Sunglasses from the 1960’s.

Sea And Ski Eyewear 1965
Sea And Ski Eyewear 1965

Pierre Cardin’s, a  little more unusual and non-functional look, put the slit at the eyebrows

1960 Pierre Cardin
1960 Pierre Cardin
Andre Courreges: Forefront of Space Age Fashion in the 60's.
Andre Courreges: Forefront of Space Age Fashion in the 60’s. Spring-Summer 1965 | Photo by Peter Knapp
Oliver Goldsmith 1960's
Oliver Goldsmith 1960’s
1965 Oliver Goldsmith Union Jack
1965 Oliver Goldsmith Union Jack
1965 Neostyle Playmate Sold on ebay
1965 Neostyle Playmate Sold on ebay
Yellow Eskimo sunglasses. Made in Italy by Samco
Yellow Eskimo sunglasses. Made in Italy by Samco. Available 
1980's Michele Lamy Seen on Madaleine C Vintage
1980’s Michele Lamy Seen on Madaleine C Vintage
1986 Big Trouble in Little China :American action comedy film directed by John Carpenter. It stars Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun and James Hong. The film tells the story of Jack Burton, who helps his friend Wang Chi rescue Wang's green-eyed fiancee from bandits in San Francisco's Chinatown.
1986 Big Trouble in Little China :American action comedy film directed by John Carpenter. It stars Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun and James Hong. The film tells the story of Jack Burton, who helps his friend Wang Chi rescue Wang’s green-eyed fiancee from bandits in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
1991 Theirry Mugler
1991 Theirry Mugler
Helmut Newton Thierry Mugler Campaign, 1990s
Helmut Newton Thierry Mugler Campaign, 1990s
Angry Angles - 2006 "
Angry Angles – 2006 “

Revitalizing the swinging 60’s look of Futuristic Fashion, companies such as Uncover showed Jetson type of fashionable Future Frames.

Undercover Spring Summer 2008
Undercover Spring Summer 2008
Undercover 2008
Undercover 2008

Vivienne Westwood, always re-vamping, launched her version of Aleut Fashion in 2009.

Vivienne Westwood Runway 2009
Vivienne Westwood Runway 2009
Jun Takahashi Spring Summer 2010
Jun Takahashi Spring Summer 2010

KTZ, who else takes the Eskimo look and updates to a look like you would going on the Crusades! Perfect look for a swap team member or a driver of an amoured car.

2011 KTZ x Linda Farrow
2011 KTZ x Linda Farrow

Pierre Cardin jumps back into the futurist game his his ‘Jetson’ look

Ready_to_wear_spring_summer_2011_PIERRE_CARDIN_
Pierre Cardin Spring Summer 2011

Alain Mikli in one of his Special Addition artistic rendering of Eskmino eyewear complete with ice skaters.

2012 Alain Mikli Special Edition
2012 Alain Mikli Special Edition
2012 Pierre Cardin Sunglasses
2012 Pierre Cardin Sunglasses

2012 continues to showcase Eskimo Fashion: As seen in Marie Claire Russia

Nadine Naue Sun Bathes for the Lens of Jamie Nelson in Marie Claire Russia August 2012
Nadine Naue Sun Bathes for the Lens of Jamie Nelson in Marie Claire Russia August 2012

Louise Grey Runway 2013 adds a graffiti touch

Louise Grey Runway 2013
Louise Grey Runway 2013
2013 Jean Paul Castlebajac
2013 Jean Paul Castlebajac
Image Credit unknow
Image Credit unknow

Traction Products created their own look including a round sun-disc.

Traction Productions 2014
Traction Productions 2014
2014 Chilli Bean Smile Inspired Aleut Eyewear
2014 Chilli Bean Smile Inspired Aleut Eyewear

Back on the runway in 2015

Satu Maaranen Spring Summer 2015
Satu Maaranen Spring Summer 2015

Black Eyewear relaunched their Eskimo version in three colors in 2015.

2015 Black Eyewear
2015 Black Eyewear

Nuitt Eyewear launched in 2015 a horn version that is still available today

Nuitt Eyewear 2016
Nuitt Eyewear 2016

Alexander Hi-Tk the steampunk, futuristic eyewear also currently offers and option in stainless steel.

Alexander Hi-Tek Stainless Steel
Alexander Hi-Tek Stainless Steel
ijaak Sungoggles
ijaak Sungoggles still available

Here is IGAAKs that launched on Kickstarter in 2016. Unfortunately they did not make their goals.

IGAAKS on Kickstarter 2016
IGAAKS on Kickstarter 2016

I pronounce Aleut Eyewear as Fashion Classic, the style has been around for hundreds of years. It has multi-functionality, looks, trends and health, saving our eyes. Another great example of looking good and feeling good.

NW77th Eyewear