Who was Altina Schinasi? Google Doodle Celebrates Cat Eye Frame Designer

Altina Schinasi was an American sculptor and filmmaker who was best known for designing what she called the “Harlequin eyeglass frame” which was also popularly known as cat-eye glasses. She created the frame in the late 1930s.

“Surely, there must be some way to design eyeglasses that could be attractive! What looks good on a face? What adds to a face? What could a woman wear on her face that would be romantic?” she reportedly shared.

However, she was rejected by major manufacturing companies because according to them, the glasses were too edgy. She set up production and negotiated deals with department stores.

Schinasi went on to open an office where she oversaw marketing and distribution and later expanded to the West Coast when she relocated to California.

She also continued to paint and sculpt, as well as establishing herself in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she lived with her fourth husband Celestino Miranda, in her final years.