Persol

Italian heritage sunglasses.

Avoid

Founded: 1917
HQ: Italy
Ownership type: Conglomerate subsidiary
Parent: EssilorLuxottica
Acquired: 1995

Ownership

Acquired by Luxottica in 1995.

Why Avoid

Luxottica pricing strategy.

Sister brands under EssilorLuxottica

Eyewear · Sunglasses
Ray-Ban
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Sunglasses
Oakley
Status: Avoid
Eyewear · Prescription Frames
Oliver Peoples
Status: Avoid

Read the full investigation

Investigation · April 9, 2026

Your Glasses Got Worse On Purpose

EssilorLuxottica makes your Ray-Bans, sells them through LensCrafters, insures them through EyeMed. Also owns the "independent" brands you thought were alternatives. How one Italian company built a vertical monopoly on your vision.

Read the full investigation

Ownership

Why Avoid

Sister brands under EssilorLuxottica

Ray-Ban

Oakley

Oliver Peoples

Read the full investigation

Your Glasses Got Worse On Purpose