Photographed by KAREN SCHULD;
Senior Features Editor GLORIA NICOLA

Their stylized “A,” the Swoosh, that elongated “O”—all readily recognizable symbols that speak volumes both on and off the playing fields. They are now being joined by names that much like the familiar “O” began their lives as sports glasses and are spreading into other arenas. The power of these sport stars comes through loud and clear—reinforcing the energy and appeal of distinctive and active lifestyles.


From top: ADIDAS a372 from Silhouette Optical; WILEY X SSREV2 from Wiley X Eyewear; NANOWIRE 1.0 from Oakley; KAOS from Rudy Project;  NIKE VISION LUNGE EVO265 from Marchon Eyewear

The Nike Swoosh was designed in 1971 and first used on running shoes at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. in 1972. Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student at Portland State University, designed the logo for $35. Originally, the mark was called “the stripe,” but over time it began to be called a “swoosh,” for no apparent reason. It supposedly symbolizes speed and grace. When Nike CEO Phil Knight was presented with the design, he settled on it after rejecting several others, saying, “I don’t love it, but it will grow on me.”