(CBS Detroit) – When we celebrate Black history, we see fashion play a huge role.
From the shoes to the coat, every detail matters. But among all fashion items, Detroit is known for its Cartier glasses.
“Some people call them white sticks, some call them ‘yays.’ Some people call them ‘buffs,”’ said Detroit Fire Chief James Harris.
When you’re in Detroit, make no mistake: Cartier sunglasses are a staple.
Whether you’re strolling downtown or hanging out on Belle Isle, you’re bound to find someone wearing these shoes.
For jeweler Tony Buff, who has lived in the area all his life, his store attracts everyone from athletes to musicians.
“It all started back in the ’80s. They started making their flagship Cartier glasses in 1983, and Detroit came out quickly. There was a lot of car money in Detroit,” said Buff, general manager of MJ Diamond. Ta.
For African-Americans living in urban areas, Cartier is one of those accessories that is almost a right of passage.
In mainstream media, locals like Big Sean and Will Johnson helped propel the glasses to new fan bases.
“Ninety percent of Detroit’s songs, a lot of the songs are going to be references to the Buffs or they’re going to put the Buffs on it,” said Detroit rapper GMAC Cash.
It’s a testament to this city’s love for glasses. GMAC started a GoFundMe page during the pandemic to provide Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with a pair.
It didn’t take long for the community to see that “Big Gretch” was trending.
“One day, we raised about $3,500 to give her a buff. Unfortunately, we cannot accept gifts over $50, so she was unable to receive it,” GMAC said.
Instead, he worked with an organization that provides groceries to families in need.
For GMAC, his family and friends all own Cartier sunglasses. He remembers it started in the early 2000s.
“I started with [wood frames]“Then you might graduate to the buff,” he said, “I had a wooden frame in fourth grade.”
These glasses are no ordinary sunscreen. Mr. Buff, his number one Cartier dealer in the Midwest, knows how much of a status symbol glasses can be for him.
“People who wear high-end glasses can tell the difference between buying Cartier glasses and buying $10 glasses. There’s no comparison,” he says.
Cartier glasses come in many different styles, but Motown’s signature is the buffalo horn, or “buff.” It’s a style that resonates with many people in the country.
“You could be in Las Vegas, and when you see them buffing with no one talking, no voices, you already know where they’re coming from. It’s automatically Detroit ,” Harris said.
Detroit’s culture continues to garner attention. The Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Lions are both having strong football seasons, and some believe that’s due to the Buffs.
“The Michigan Wolverines started wearing Cartier white Buffs and they did great. They were national champions this year, so this wasn’t just a fluke, it was the real thing,” Buff said.