Vuarnet is the French eyewear brand named after Olympic skier Jean Vuarnet, who won downhill gold at the 1960 Winter Games.
Vuarnet’s name comes from the athlete who collaborated with designer Roger Pouilloux to create the brand in 1961. The partnership connected elite skiing with lens design and helped establish sunglasses as both technical equipment and a recognizable style accessory.
The 1960 Winter Olympics were held in Squaw Valley, California, now called Olympic Valley. Vuarnet’s victory in the men’s downhill event gave the brand a direct association with high-level alpine sport.
Other French outdoor brands, including Julbo, Cébé, and Bollé, also have strong mountain connections. They are not named after Jean Vuarnet, however, which makes the skier’s name the decisive clue.