(CBS Detroit) – As we celebrate Black history, we know that fashion plays a major role.
From shoes to coats, every detail matters. But of all the fashion items, Detroit is most famous for its Cartier sunglasses.
“Some people call them white sticks, some people call them 'yay.'” Detroit Fire Chief James Harris said.
If you come to Detroit, make no mistake that Cartier sunglasses are a staple.
Whether you're strolling downtown or hanging out on Belle Isle, someone is sure to be wearing a pair of shoes.
For jeweler Tony Baho, a lifelong area resident, his stores see everyone, from athletes to musicians.
“It started in the 1980s. They started making Cartier's flagship eyewear in 1983, and Detroit came on the scene right away. It was a lot of money from Detroit cars,” said Bahu, general manager of MJ Diamonds.
For African Americans in the city, Cartier is an accessory that is almost a right of passage.
In mainstream media, originals like Big Sean and Will Johnson helped turn spectacles into a new fanbase.
“Ninety percent of the songs from Detroit are going to be a nod to the music fans in a lot of the songs, or they're going to use it,” Detroit rapper GMAC Cash said.
As a testament to the city's love for eyewear. GMAC started a GoFundMe page during the pandemic to get Gov. Gretchen Whitmer a pair.
It didn't take long for the community to be sure that “Big Gretch” conformed to prevailing trends.
“One day, we raised about $3,500 to get her a pair of boosters. Unfortunately, she couldn't get them because they can't get gifts worth more than $50,” GMAC said.
Instead, he teamed up with an organization to provide groceries to families in need.
For GMAC, all his family and friends own Cartier sunglasses. It's something he remembers starting in the early 2000s.
“I started with [wood frames]“And you might graduate to amateur,” he said. “I had a pair of wooden frames my senior year.”
These glasses are not ordinary sun visors. As the No. 1 Cartier dealer in the Midwest, Bahu knows how much of a status symbol eyewear can be.
“People who wear luxury eyeglasses know the difference between getting a pair from Cartier and getting a $10 pair of glasses. There's no comparison,” he said.
Cartier sunglasses vary in style, but it's the buffalo horn or “buffalo” that speaks to Motown. It's a style that resonates in much of the country.
“You can be in Las Vegas. When you see them amateurs without anyone talking, without them saying anything, you already know where they're coming from. It's automatically Detroit,” Harris said.
Detroit culture continues to make waves. The Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Lions are both having strong football seasons, and some believe that's the power of amateur football.
“The Michigan Wolverines started wearing Cartier whites, and they've done great things. They were national champions this year, so it's not just a fluke, it's a real thing,” Bahou said.
