Porsche Design’s $1,300 Targa-Inspired Titanium Sunglasses Bring Collector Car Energy to Eyewear

The Porsche 911 Targa has spent six decades perfecting the art of open-air driving while maintaining the structural integrity that keeps passengers safe — a philosophy that now finds new expression in Porsche Design’s latest eyewear release. Borrowing visual cues from the legendary sports car, the Iconic Targa P’8954 sunglasses embody the same engineering principles that made the Targa a game-changer in 1965.

From Safety Innovation to Sculptural Eyewear

The story begins in 1965, when Porsche introduced the 911 Targa as a response to anticipated U.S. safety regulations that threatened to ban convertibles entirely. Instead of abandoning open-air driving, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche’s team engineered a solution. It was a fixed roll bar that provided rollover protection while maintaining the freedom of top-down motoring. The Targa bar became both a safety feature and a defining aesthetic element; form following function in its purest expression.

That same roll bar now serves as the conceptual foundation for the P’8954’s frame architecture. The sunglasses’ upper edge mirrors the Targa’s distinctive silhouette, while technical cut-outs throughout the titanium structure reduce weight and reinforce the minimalist aesthetic that defined the original car. 

The Heritage of Porsche Design

Founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (the same designer who created the 911 in 1963), Porsche Design was born from a desire to extend Porsche’s design philosophy beyond automotive applications. The company’s first product, the world’s first black chronograph wristwatch, established a template for taking complex mechanical functions and presenting them with a refined, purposeful aesthetic.

Over five decades, that approach has remained consistent across timepieces, luggage, electronics, and eyewear. Each category receives the same attention to material selection, construction methodology, and functional innovation that defines Porsche’s automotive work. The P’8954 continues this tradition by treating sunglasses not as fashion accessories but as a sort of precision instrument.

Engineering in Miniature

Sourced from Japanese suppliers known for aerospace-grade titanium, the P’8954’s frame weighs practically nothing while maintaining the structural rigidity necessary for long-term durability. Likewise, the matte finish eliminates glare and fingerprints. Technical cut-outs throughout the frame serve dual purposes, reducing material weight while creating visual lightness that prevents the substantial titanium construction from appearing heavy or aggressive. 

Hexagonal screws secure the grey shield lens reference the Tenax fasteners that secured the original Targa’s removable rear window panel. The shield lens configuration protects peripheral vision while the elevated frame design prevents any lens contact with surfaces — a source of stress experienced by anyone who’s set their pricey shades down on a tabletop.

Collector’s Territory

Each pair arrives in a presentation box designed to showcase the frame’s sculptural qualities, accompanied by a Pepita-patterned cleaning cloth that references classic 911 seat upholstery. 

However, thanks to Japanese titanium, precision machining, and limited-edition status, these sunglasses won’t come cheap, hoisting up a $1,300 price tag, which only true Porsche enthusiasts will likely be willing to fork up.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

The Porsche Design Iconic Targa P’8954 retails for $1,300 and is available now through shop.porsche.com, Porsche Design boutiques, and select optical retailers.

Recap

Porsche Design Iconic Targa P’8954 Sunglasses

Porsche Design celebrates 60 years of the 911 Targa with these titanium sunglasses featuring specific cues that pay homage to the vehicle, plus a $1,300 price tag that only hardcore enthusiasts will likely be willing to meet.

Learn More: Porsche Design