Vallon And Wayne Wong Announce Special Edition Collaboration
Evoking that same carefree, soulful vibe of the 1970’s freestyle ski scene, VALLON today announces a fresh collaboration with legendary freestyle skier and Ski Hall of Famer, Wayne Wong.
Rooted in Verbier, Switzerland, the founders of VALLON started the company because they lacked a pair of sunglasses ideally suited for both ski touring in the winter and hiking in the summer. Inspired by explorers, adventurers and mountaineers of the past, they create sports eyewear that merges classic designs with high-performing materials. VALLON is sold to 35+ countries
An ode to one of the most notorious hotdoggers and ski-trick innovators of all-time, the VALLON x Wayne Wong Special Edition Ski Aviators pays tribute to a time in skiing’s history where everything was centered on who’s having the most fun on the mountain.
Considered to be one of the most influential skiers of the 20th century, a star in countless ski movies and credited for inventing numerous freestyle ski tricks like the Wong Banger and the Wong Mill - nobody knows how to have fun on the mountain more than Wayne Wong.
"In the spring of 1972, I won the first ever Freestyle Skier of the Year award in Vail, Colorado,” said Wong. “This time in my life was revolutionary in many ways because it not only kick-started my career as a professional skier, but it also gave birth to my iconic style on the slopes. What I wore that day was a classic white pair of aviators. Little did I know that this would soon become my trademark style.”
Blending 1970’s flash and flair with 2020’s form and functionality, the VALLON x Wayne Wong Special Edition Ski Aviators is adorned in the same iconic, pure-white colorway that Wong made so popular back in the day. Sparkly-white with a frame based on the classic ski aviator silhouette, the wide-rounded shape is updated with high-performance materials and a modified design allowing for a more contemporary fit.
The frame is constructed from premium cellulose acetate; a non-petroleum-based material that is extremely durable while the impact-resistant polyamide lenses provide protection against tip rolls gone wrong. The mirror-coated category 3 lens (100% UV) reflects harmful light, reduces eyestrain from the sun, and captivates any and all onlookers.
“Teaming up with Wayne Wong on this project has been a dream for us,” said Marcus Franck, co-founder of VALLON. “As lifelong skiers and purveyors of fun ski products, we couldn’t be more excited to bring Wayne’s spirit of skiing into the collection. Partnering with Wayne on this special edition ski aviator has been a very meaningful collaboration for us.”
At the end of the day, the VALLON x Wayne Wong Special Edition Ski Aviators emphasize everything cool and fun about freestyle skiing in the 70’s.
“To this day, people continue to associate me and my white sunglasses with the freestyle skiing movement and I am honored to partner with VALLON to keep the spirit alive by offering the Wayne Wong Special Edition Ski Aviators. Now everyone will have the opportunity to embrace the freestyle movement," added Wong.
