On August 4th, Google paid tribute to the iconic artist and inventor, Altina Schinasi, with a charming Doodle, commemorating what would have been her 116th birthday. Schinasi, best known for designing the groundbreaking ‘cat-eye’ eyeglass frame, revolutionised eyewear fashion and left a lasting impact on the fashion industry.
Born in 1907 in Manhattan, New York to immigrant parents, Schinasi’s life journey has been an inspiring tale of innovation, resilience, and creativity. Her creation of the ‘cat-eye’ eyeglass frame, originally known as the Harlequin, has been a major milestone in eyewear design.
Schinasi’s story is a testament to her artistic prowess, honed from an early age. Following her high school graduation, she studied painting in Paris, developing an unshakeable appreciation for the arts. Her return to the US saw her joining the Art Students League in New York, where she rubbed shoulders with renowned artists like Salvador Dalí and George Grosz.
It was during her tenure as a window dresser on Fifth Avenue that Schinasi noticed the lack of variety in women’s eyewear design, particularly the prevalence of round, mundane frames. Inspired by the Harlequin masks seen during Venice’s Carnevale festival, she sought to introduce a refreshing change with the pointed, flattering designs of her ‘cat-eye’ frames.
Despite initial rejections from major manufacturers, Schinasi’s perseverance paid off when a local shop owner saw potential in her unique design. This led to the rapid rise of the Harlequin glasses, making them a quintessential fashion accessory of the late 1930s and 1940s. For her innovative design, Schinasi received the coveted Lord & Taylor Design Award in 1939 and recognition from prominent publications like Vogue and Life.
Her creative journey didn’t stop at eyewear. Schinasi produced an acclaimed documentary about her former teacher, artist George Grosz, which won first place at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award. Her later years saw the creation of unique ‘Chairacters’, and the publication of her memoir, ‘The Road I Have Travelled’.
Almost a century since its inception, the cat-eye design continues to exert its influence over global fashion trends. Schinasi’s legacy serves as a beacon of innovation and determination, celebrating the visionary spirit that dared to envision beyond the ordinary.
