President Emmanuel Macron made a striking style statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, sporting a pair of Top Gun-inspired aviator sunglasses that have since ignited a remarkable surge in consumer interest. Rather than dominating headlines with geopolitical discourse, the French leader's bold accessory choice has captivated public attention, shifting focus to his fashionable eyewear and its origins.
A French-Made Fashion Phenomenon
The sunglasses in question are the Pacific S 01 Double Gold model, crafted by the esteemed French eyewear house Maison Henry Jullien. Valued at €659, these premium aviators are entirely manufactured in France, a detail that reportedly held significant importance for President Macron. Stefano Fulchir, president of iVision Tech which owns Henry Julien, expressed his astonishment at the unexpected publicity, describing his initial reaction simply as 'wow!'.
Fulchir revealed to The Guardian that Macron had personally purchased the sunglasses for the G20 summit in 2024, declining any offer of them as a gift. 'He did not accept them as a gift, but wanted to purchase them personally,' Fulchir noted, highlighting the president's commitment to supporting French craftsmanship through direct commerce.
Production and Accessibility Challenges
The remarkable craftsmanship behind these sunglasses involves what iVision Tech terms an 'ancient technique', with each pair being meticulously hand-assembled by a team of just ten artisans at their French factory. This artisanal approach contributes to both their exclusivity and their premium price point.
However, this sudden surge in demand has presented logistical challenges. The brand's official website experienced a crash due to overwhelming traffic, and unfortunately for British consumers, there is currently no distributor in the UK, making these coveted sunglasses unavailable for purchase across the Channel.
The Practical Reason Behind the Fashion Statement
While Macron's sunglasses made a glamorous impression at the prestigious international forum, their purpose was decidedly practical. The French president was actually concealing a burst blood vessel in his right eye, which he described as 'totally benign'. This medical necessity provided the unexpected catalyst for what has become a significant fashion moment.
Substance Behind the Style
Despite the attention-grabbing accessory, Macron's message at Davos remained characteristically serious. He delivered a pointed critique of what he termed 'imperial ambitions' resurfacing in global politics, advocating strongly for international law and condemning what he described as 'an endless accumulation of new tariffs that are fundamentally unacceptable'.
Though not mentioning Donald Trump by name, Macron's references to territorial sovereignty concerns appeared to allude to recent geopolitical tensions, including discussions about Greenland. He emphasized his preference for 'respect to bullies' in international relations, ensuring that while his sunglasses captured headlines, his substantive message about global governance and diplomacy remained clear and uncompromising.
This unusual convergence of high fashion and high politics demonstrates how personal style choices by world leaders can unexpectedly influence consumer markets, while simultaneously serving as a reminder that even the most carefully curated public appearances often conceal more practical realities.
