Altina Schinasi: The Artist Behind Cat-Eye Glasses

Altina Schinasi was an American artist, designer, and inventor best known for creating the famous cat-eye glasses frame. Her creative idea changed the way people looked at eyeglasses and turned them into a fashion accessory.

Google celebrated her life with a special Google Doodle on August 4, 2023, marking what would have been her 116th birthday.

Who Was Altina Schinasi?

Altina Schinasi was born on August 4, 1907, in Manhattan, New York. Her parents were immigrants, and her family had roots in different cultures. From an early age, she developed an interest in art and later travelled to Paris to study painting.

After returning to the United States, she began working as a window display designer for stores in New York. This job gave her the chance to explore new ideas and work around other creative people.

How Did She Create Cat-Eye Glasses?

Altina came up with her famous glasses design in the late 1930s. At the time, most eyeglass frames had simple, round shapes. She felt that glasses could look more stylish and attractive.

Inspired by the Harlequin masks worn in Venice, Italy, she designed frames with pointed, upward edges. She called her creation the Harlequin frame, which later became widely known as cat-eye glasses.

However, her idea was not accepted by every company at first. Several major manufacturers turned it down because they thought the design was too unusual. Altina did not give up. She found a way to bring her design to the market, and it eventually became popular.

In 1939, she received the Lord & Taylor Annual American Design Award for her work. Her design helped make eyeglasses an important part of fashion, especially for women.

More Than Just a Designer

Altina Schinasi was not limited to eyewear. She also worked as a painter, sculptor, filmmaker, and inventor. Throughout her career, she continued exploring new ideas and registered patents for different inventions.

In 1960, she produced a documentary about her former art teacher, George Grosz. The film, George Grosz’s Interregnum, received international recognition and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Altina spent her later years continuing her creative work. She passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in August 1999, at the age of 92.

Altina Schinasi’s Lasting Legacy

Altina Schinasi left behind a legacy that goes far beyond a single fashion trend. Her cat-eye glasses remain popular decades after their creation, showing how one original idea can stand the test of time.

Her story is also a reminder that creative thinking and determination can turn an unusual idea into something loved by millions.