Polaroid Eyewear

In 2007, StyleMark acquired the Polaroid Eyewear International business, the eyewear division of Polaroid Corporation. StyleMark sells sunglasses and other optical products under twenty different brands, including Nine West, Speedo, Ocean Pacific, Disney, and Revlon. The acquisition gave StyleMark global reach - including distribution in sixty-seven countries - and makes the company the world's largest mid-tier sunglass company with unit sales exceeding fifty million pairs of sunglasses. Style Mark acquired Polaroid Eyewear's Sales and Marketing organization throughout the world along with Manufacturing, Research and Development, Finance, Human Resources, and Supply Chain activities. All Polaroid Eyewear employees transitioned to the new company. Polaroid has been a strong eyewear brand with a comprehensive network of subsidiaries and distributor partners.

Polarizing Technology in Polaroid Eyewear

Polaroid Eyewear relies on polarizing technology to create their sunglasses. This is how the technology works:

1. Polarizing Film: At the core of Polaroid's technology is the polarizing film, which is made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and is designed to filter light. Polaroid's film contains tiny molecules aligned in parallel rows which allows only light waves moving in one direction to pass through, reducing glare.
2. Polarization Process: The film is stretched to align the molecules, then it's dyed. The dye molecules link up with the PVA molecules, ensuring that they stay fixed in place. This dyed film is then placed between two layers of protective material to preserve it from environmental damage.
3. Ultraviolet (UV) Protection: Polaroid lenses are designed to block out almost all UV light, which can harm the eyes. This UV protection is usually built into the lens material itself and isn't merely a coating that can wear off.
4. Layering: Polaroid sunglasses are usually made up of seven layers: a scratch-resistant layer, a shock-absorbing and rigid layer, the polarizing layer, another rigid layer, and another scratch-resistant layer. This combination ensures durability and long-term use.
5. Photochromic Technology: Some Polaroid lenses also have photochromic technology, which means the lenses adjust their color based on the intensity of light. When exposed to sunlight, they darken, and when away from sunlight, they lighten.

This technology gives Polaroid Eyewear a competitive advantage, providing glare reduction, visual clarity, and eye protection to the wearer. The ability to block blinding glare makes them especially popular for driving, fishing, and other outdoor activities.