On August 4, Google Doodle honored the life of Altina Schinasi, a US-based designer famous for creating the stylish ‘cat-eye’ eyeglass frames. The doodle commemorated her 116th birthday and featured Altina within a cat-eye shaped frame.
Born on August 4, 1907, in Manhattan, New York, Altina’s parents were immigrants. She began her artistic journey in the streets of Manhattan and later pursued her passion for painting in the lively art galleries of Paris.
Altina Schinasi: Making of a designer
Altina Schinasi, born to Jewish parents in 1907, grew up in America. She received home tutoring and later attended the Horace Mann School. At the age of 12, Altina left home and boarded at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
After graduating, Altina’s mother took her to Paris, where she studied painting with her cousin, Rene Bensussan. Her time in Paris deepened her love for art. Upon returning to New York, she continued her artistic education under Samuel Halpert at the Roerich Museum.
From designing windows to creating iconic ‘cat-eye’ frames
After completing her design education, Altina’s first job was with Peter Copeland. Together, they collaborated on a project to design windows for stores on Fifth Avenue. During this job, she had the opportunity to work alongside the famous Salvador Dali.
As she progressed in her career, Altina achieved significant success by registering numerous patents for her design inventions. However, her most significant breakthrough came early on when she created and introduced the Harlequin eyeglass frame, also known as the ‘cat-eye’ frame. This stylish design became synonymous with glamour in the late 1930s.
The idea for Altina’s eyeglass frames came to her when she saw unattractive frames in an optician’s window. She felt they lacked charm and set out to create something romantic and whimsical instead.
Curious about what would look good on a face and add to its appeal, she wondered, “Could eyeglasses be made attractive? What could a woman wear on her face that would be romantic?” Her inspiration started with the Harlequin mask, and she began cutting masks into the frames she envisioned.
Once she established production and secured deals with department stores, she opened an office to manage marketing and distribution. In 1939, her innovative transformation of eyeglass frames into a fashionable accessory earned her the prestigious Lord & Taylor Annual American Design Award.
