Emmanuel Macron made an unforgettable entrance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday — sporting classic aviator sunglasses indoors.
The French president’s eyewear immediately turned heads as much as his speech.
The real question, of course, is — why the sunglasses indoors?
When French President Emmanuel Macron strode onto the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he started by criticizing President Trump’s Greenland proposals and the use of tariffs to pressure European nations. He delivered a firm message on global politics, calling out autocratic powers and defending international law.
“We do believe that we need more growth, we need more stability in this world, but we do prefer respect to bullies,” he said. “We do prefer science to (conspiracies) and we do prefer rule of law to brutality.”
But he wasn’t just making headlines for his words — he was also sporting a sleek pair of blue-tinted sunglasses indoors. While some wondered if it was a style statement, the reason is far more personal.
Macron has been dealing with an eye condition, which he revealed earlier at a military event in Istres, southern France.
“Please pardon the unsightly appearance of my eye. It is, of course, something completely harmless,” he said, according to The Independent.
He even gave it a playful nickname: l’oeil du tigre, or “eye of the tiger,” referencing the iconic Survivor song from Rocky III.
Social media reacts
“For those who get the reference, it’s a sign of determination,” Macron explained.
Medical experts have since confirmed the cause: a sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, a visible but harmless broken blood vessel in his right eye. While it doesn’t affect vision, it can make the eye look red and puffy. Triggers include sneezing, rubbing, or other minor irritations. Many opt to wear sunglasses for appearance’s sake, and Macron was likely doing the same.
“Some people might think he’s ill, so to avoid being photographed in that state, he decided to wear sunglasses,” noted Dr. Jimmy Mohamed.
Social media was quick to react. Some called him a “show-off” or used the French slang kéké. Others joked he was channeling Tom Cruise in Top Gun. One user quipped, “More world leaders should wear sunglasses when giving speeches, actually,” while another added, “Macron is wearing sunglasses because Europe’s future is too bright.”
Which brand of sunglasses did Macron wear at Davos?
While it’s impossible to say for certain, the evidence points to French craftsmanship. First, there’s the brand Visages. In June 2025, Macron received a pair of 3D-printed glasses from the French startup, according to Sud Ouest.
The ultralight, high-tech frames he wore at Davos closely match their signature aesthetic. Another contender is Vuarnet. A fan of the Meaux-based brand, Macron even gifted Joe Biden a pair of Vuarnet Edge sunglasses in June 2024, showcasing French design excellence.
It’s worth noting that, while the Davos frames resemble classic aviators, they aren’t Ray-Bans — despite the American brand’s French-Italian ownership. Unlike Ray-Ban models, Macron’s glasses had no white logo or “RB” engraving on the lenses, and their wire-frame arms and straight double bridge depart from typical industrial designs.
Wearing a French brand in front of the world’s elite is more than a style choice—it’s a statement of industrial sovereignty. Every accessory sends a message, and Macron is deliberate about this.
From his suits by Paris-based Jonas & Cie, to watches from Lip, Awake, and Pequignet, and even shoes from JM Weston in Limoges, the French president consistently showcases homegrown craftsmanship, turning personal style into national pride.
Trump’s leaked picture
The sunglasses weren’t the only thing that put the French president in the spotlight at the World Economic Forum.
Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump shared a message from French President Emmanuel Macron, in which Macron voiced his concerns over Trump’s ongoing threats regarding Greenland.
The note read:
“My friend, We are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland. Let us try to build great things: 1) I can set up a G7 meeting after Davos in Paris on Thursday afternoon. I can invite the Ukrainians, the Danish, the Syrians and the Russians in the margins. 2) Let us have a dinner together in Paris together on Thursday before you go back to the US. Emmanuel.”
Tensions between Trump and Macron reached a new low on Monday, after the U.S. president threatened 200% tariffs on French wine in response to France’s decision to decline an invitation to join his “board of peace.”
On Saturday, Macron took to X to respond, writing: “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context.” Macron later told reporters that he does not plan to speak with Trump during the Davos summit.
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