Patrick Dempsey and Porsche design eyewear edition
Dempsey began working with Porsche Design on the limited-edition collection in April 2022
Porsche Design is revving up its collaboration with brand ambassador Patrick Dempsey for 2023. The actor has been the face of Porsche Design Eyewear since 2021, and is now launching a jointly designed edition of sunglasses and prescription frames for the brand.
According to a press release, "Besides the initials PD, both share deep roots in motorsport and a common passion for precision and perfection."
“Porsche has always held a special place in my life," said Dempsey. "Whether as a racing driver or co-owner of a racing team, the brand exudes a special passion and performance for me that I have always felt connected to. This is precisely why I value Porsche Design as a brand for the highest quality and functionality. Now to be actively involved in the design and creation process of an eyewear edition that bears my name makes me very happy and honored. The exchange with the design experts was very exciting and inspiring."
Dempsey and the creative design team from Porsche Design begin working on the limited-edition collection in April 2022. Now, they have unveiled the result of this intensive development process, presenting the Porsche Design Eyewear by Patrick Dempsey Edition. The edition makes use of carbon, an exceptionally high-quality material, and the result is the P’8965 sunglasses in a black-grey-blue as well as a black-grey color combination and the P’8754 prescription frame in gray-black or gold-black.
“I have long been fascinated by the carbon fiber components in my Porsche 991 Carrera. They are lightweight, robust, and absolutely reliable,” explained Dempsey. The strength and durability of the corrosion-resistant material also make it ideal for manufacturing eyewear. “During a race, driver and car are exposed to enormous forces. Even in the toughest conditions, the driver must be able to rely 100 percent on his material at all times, so I didn’t want to compromise on the quality of the eyewear edition either.”
"As the Carbon Fiber Face Lift, the newly developed eyewear temple is made of carbon fibers, stainless steel and rubber, giving it lightness, aesthetics and an optimal fit," notes the release. "The aspiration to develop an edition for the highest performance is also reflected in the glazing of the sunglasses with VISION DRIVE™ Polarized lenses or VISION DRIVE™ Polarized XTR lenses, which Dempsey and the Porsche Design team deliberately opted for. With maximum reduction of reflections and glare on wet and slippery surfaces, the lenses offer the best possible vision for dynamic driving as well as for everyday use. The high-end VISION DRIVE™ Polarized XTR lenses also feature an innovative combination of polarization and integrated contour and contrast perception, which offer decisive optical advantages, especially in low sun in the morning and evening hours."
The models, limited to 1,500 per color variant, are available at www.porsche-design.com and from selected retailers. Depending on the lens, the sunglasses are priced at an RRP of 380 to 400 euros (US$400 to 422), while the prescription glasses are priced at an RRP of 420 euros (US$443).
