Google Doodle Honors ‘Altina Schinasi’: The Visionary American Designer Behind The Iconic Cat-Eye Frames

When Schinasi was working as a window display designer, she saw a shortage of trendy options for women’s eyeglasses and came up with the idea for the cat-eye eyeglass frame. She was inspired by the Harlequin masks worn at the Carnevale festival in Venice, Italy, since she was determined to alter the status quo.

Google has marked the birth anniversary of Altina Schinasi, an American artist, designer, and innovator. She is recognised for her seminal contributions to fashion and eyewear design. Her incredible path led her to invent the distinctive Harlequin eyeglass frame, now widely recognised as the “cat-eye” frame, on this day in 1907 in Manhattan, New York, to immigrant parents. Schinasi’s pioneering energy and tenacity revolutionised the world of eyewear, creating a lasting legacy in the fashion business.

Schinasi’s Early Education

While studying painting in Paris, Schinasi’s passion in art was piqued. When she returned to the United States, she enrolled at The Art Students League in New York to enhance her artistic abilities. Her creative path took an unexpected turn when she started working as a window dresser for many Fifth Avenue retailers. This chance exposed her to the world of design, and she discovered inspiration while working with notable artists like as Salvador Dal and George Grosz.

Idea For Cat-Eye Frame Comes From The Harlequin Masks

When Schinasi was working as a window display designer, she noticed a shortage of trendy options for women’s eyeglasses and came up with the idea for the cat-eye frame. She was inspired by the Harlequin masks worn at the Carnevale festival in Venice, Italy, since she was determined to alter the status quo. She thought the masks’ pointy edges would be ideal for framing a woman’s face. Schinasi persevered despite initial rejections from large manufacturers and found success when a local shop owner recognised the potential of her invention.

Harlequin glasses immediately became fashionable, becoming a sought-after fashion accessory for women in the United States during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Schinasi’s groundbreaking creation brought her considerable acclaim, including the coveted Lord & Taylor American Design Award in 1939. The important designer was published in high-profile magazines including as Vogue and Life, cementing her place as a leader in the world of eyewear fashion.

Schinasi Explores Wide Array Of Works

Schinasi’s inventiveness did not stop with eyeglass frames; she also dabbled in filmmaking, releasing the famous documentary “George Grosz’ Interregnum” in 1960. The film, which celebrated her former teacher and mentor, George Grosz, was nominated for an Academy Award and won first place at the Venice Film Festival.

Schinasi continued to break new ground as she grew older. In addition to her artistic endeavours, she published her memoir, “The Road I Have Travelled,” in 1995, which provided insight into her unusual life and accomplishments. She also volunteered as an art therapist, using her love of painting to make a difference in the lives of others.

Schinasi’s vision expanded beyond eyewear and cinema; she also created one-of-a-kind portrait chairs and benches dubbed Chairacters, demonstrating her varied talent as an artist and inventor.

Altina’s cat-eye design is still an enduring and important fashion trend today, over a century after its creation. Her inventive spirit and reluctance to abandon her vision have left an unforgettable imprint on the fashion industry, pushing other designers and artists to think outside the box.