Credit: @oakley on Instagram
NBA All-Star Damian Lillard and sports eyewear powerhouse Oakley team up once again for a fresh take on the Signature Series Latch Panel sunglasses. Thanks to his role as an Oakley ambassador, the Milwaukee Bucks point guard has been heavily involved in the design direction. The new model is bold, sleek, and incredibly personal.
From the silhouette to the details, the sunglasses symbolize his love for basketball and music, particularly hip-hop. Off the court, he’s also a rapper who records under the stage name Dame D.O.L.L.A. As such, he also recorded a new spoken-word track to accompany the new campaign. It highlights the community and creativity he’s built for sports and music and how they have long been intertwined in his life. Sunglasses have long been a staple for athletes and musicians, and these unique frames blend function and fashion that’s highly sought after by both.
The new Latch Panel sunglasses
Lillard and Oakley have collaborated a number of times over the past few years, releasing various special shades. They kicked off the partnership in 2021 with the re-issue of the brand’s first wire-framed sunglasses, the X Metal Romeo and Juliet. He also has a version of the HSTN model with the Signature Series HSTN Metal. The new Signature Series Latch Panel shades are the latest collaboration between the basketball star and the eyewear brand.
The sunglasses are made out of Oakley’s BiO-Matter for a lightweight yet durable feel and a touch of sustainability, with at least 56% bio-based materials present in the material. It also features the Prizm Lens Technology, enhancing color and contrast. These qualities have made Oakley shades a staple for athletes like Lillard, but the details call back to his love for music. The gunmetal deco plates and debossed satin chrome ellipse logos resemble music equipment like microphones or vinyl records.
The sepia frame and Dame D.O.L.L.A engraving add a bold hip-hop vibe. Some of the shades he’s worked on with Oakley have also been worn by other basketball players, including Kiyan Anthony, son of former NBA player Carmelo Anthony.
Oakley sunglasses
Oakley has long been a big name in sports eyewear, revolutionizing the scene with innovative designs and materials for enhanced comfort, clarity, and performance. The Latch Panel is a favorite among athletes thanks to its large size and wraparound frames, which offer protection and style.
Other popular Oakley sunglasses include the Sutro and Radar EV Path, which also feature the brand’s trademark Unobtanium and O Matter, allowing the shades to stay lightweight and secure. It also offers lifestyle sunglasses that can be worn for everyday use, such as the Holbrook and Frogskins. Oakley’s popularity in the sports eyewear world has allowed the brand to tap star athletes to become ambassadors.
Lillard is one of the many who have collaborated with the brand to release special sunglasses models. Soccer player Kylian Mbappé and football player Patrick Mahomes are some of the other sports stars to join forces with Oakley. However, Lillard’s take on one of the brand’s signature styles is unique, thanks to his musical inspiration.
Credit: @damianlillard on Instagram
Lillard’s love for music, sports, and sunglasses
Lillard’s long-time Oakley partnership has allowed him to create an outward expression of his passion for basketball and hip-hop. They’re the quintessential accessory for athletes and musicians, and the Latch Panel shades effectively fuse the practicality athletes need and the bold, individualistic style for artists. It’s also a testament to how seriously he takes his craft.
He may not be the first basketball player-turned-musician in the NBA, but he seems to have a deep appreciation for the hip-hop and rap genre. He’s even collaborated with many big names in music, including Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, and even actor Jamie Foxx. His work is very lyrical and focused on the storytelling aspect, inspired by the sounds of the late ‘90s and early aughts. The original track for the collaboration is a great example. “Lifted By the People” highlights the connection between sports and music and how hard work and community have helped him reach success.
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