Persol created the 714 sunglasses worn by Steve McQueen.
The Persol 714 is a folding version of the company’s 700-series design. Its most famous association came from actor Steve McQueen, who wore the sunglasses publicly and in the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair.
The model is notable because its bridge and temples fold, allowing the glasses to be stored in a compact form. The 714’s distinctive arrow-shaped temple detail is also linked with Persol’s design language.
The sunglasses are sometimes incorrectly called Steve McQueen sunglasses as though that were their original brand name. Steve McQueen popularized the model, but Persol is the eyewear company that designed and manufactured it. The model’s cultural importance comes from the combination of its folding construction and McQueen’s screen image.