[2] The sunglasses were originally marketed under the name 'Skilynx Acier', and they were provided to the French Ski Team.

After Jean Vuarnet, a French alpine ski racer, won the gold medal in the Downhill at the 1960 Winter Olympics, an agreement was reached in 1961 to market the sunglasses using his surname as the brand name.

[3][4] The brand released many products, but sunglasses remained its most popular item.

[5] The company was an official corporate sponsor of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

[6] In 2023, Vuarnet was acquired by LVMH's eyewear subsidiary Thelios.