While the crème de la crème of world leaders and company executives were assembled at the World Economic Forum in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron became the centre of attention. Not (only) due to his clear yet implicit stance against Donald Trump but because of his particular choice of eyewear.
On Tuesday, 20 January 2026, Emmanuel Macron addressed those present at the World Economic Forum in Davos in a speech that seemed to be directly aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump, his claim on Greenland, and the tariff threat he issued towards eight European countries opposing that takeover. Yet while some were listening to the words coming out of his mouth, others found it hard to concentrate due to his remarkable attire. His suit did not stand out from the crowd, but his glasses, however, did.
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What’s the message?
Those who pay close attention to our political leaders might be aware of the fact that President Emmanuel Macron usually doesn’t wear glasses. Yet at Davos, the French leader opted for a pair of blue aviator-style sunglasses, worn inside. A choice that didn’t go unnoticed and that went around the internet in a matter of minutes after his first appearance. And many have been wondering ever since why-oh-why he channelled his inner Top Gun vibes.
Was it just a way to stand out from the crowd? If so, he certainly succeeded, although his actual discourse got somewhat drowned during it all. Was it a way to avoid looking Donald Trump in the eye? With the U.S. President only arriving at Davos on Wednesday, 21 January, this would mean Macron made somewhat of a planning mistake. But what then?
Chances are, President Emmanuel Macron’s choice was fuelled by a minor medical issue. Indeed, he was first seen publicly wearing the glasses on 15 January 2015 in Istres (in the Bouches-du-Rhône department) during a military event. At that time, he excused himself for the unsightly appearance of his rather red-looking eye before donning his eyewear, calling it ‘totally benign’.
According to the French media, Macron is likely struggling with a sub-conjunctival haemorrhage, also known as a broken blood vessel in his eye, which could have been caused by something as simple as an intense cough or eye rubbing. Medical doctor and media commentator Jimmy Mohamed told French broadcaster RTL that the sunglasses won’t really protect Macron’s eye, however, identifying the choice as a public-image-protecting one.
No ordinary glasses
Whatever caused President Emmanuel Macron to wear his glasses, one thing is certain: manufacturer Maison Henry Julien, located in the Jura department in eastern France, has experienced a stark rise in demand for the Pacific S 01 Double Gold sunglasses. The demand for the eyewear, costing €659,00, proved so big that the brand’s website had to be taken down. Those who want to get their hands on a pair should be able to buy some at luxury optical retailers throughout Europe, but should know that stocks might be low at the moment, as Maison Henry Julien only produces 1,000 pairs a year of the model.
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