Google commemorates the 116th birthday of Altina ‘Tina’ Schinasi, the American designer best remembered for creating the ‘cat-eye’ eyeglass frame.
The Google search engine is commemorating the 116th birthday of American designer Altine ‘Tina’ Schinasi, best known for creating the classic ‘cat-eye’ eyeglass frame, with an August 4 Doodle. According to a Google Doodle blog entry, Schinasi was born on this day in 1907 in Manhattan, New York, to immigrant parents. Her creative path brought her from the streets of Manhattan to the bustling art scene of Paris, where she continued her passion for painting after completing her high school degree.
She polished her creative abilities at The Art Students League in New York City while working as a window dresser for many Fifth Avenue retailers. During this time, she had the opportunity to work with and learn from artistic titans like Salvador Dal and George Grosz, whose influence was important in molding her creative vision.
Schinasi came up with the revolutionary “cat-eye” eyeglass frame while working as a window display designer. She set out to offer a fresh and unique choice for ladies after noticing that women’s spectacles were confined to circular frames with uninspiring designs.
She imagined eyeglass frames with pointed corners that would enhance and flatter the wearer’s face, inspired by the enticing design of Harlequin masks used during the Carnevale celebration in Venice, Italy. Despite several rejections from big manufacturers who thought her concept was too unorthodox, Schinasi persevered in her pursuit, cutting paper prototypes of her original design.
Her breakthrough came when a local shop owner saw the potential of her design and demanded a six-month exclusivity deal. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, Harlequin eyeglasses quickly acquired popularity and became a fashion craze among ladies in the United States.
Schinasi’s creation received widespread acclaim, including the renowned Lord & Taylor American Design Award in 1939. prestigious journals such as Vogue and Life also recognized her influence on the world of fashion.
She also dabbled in cinematography, creating a riveting documentary named “George Grosz’ Interregnum” on her old instructor, the renowned artist George Grosz. The film was widely praised, gaining an Academy Award nomination and first prize at the Venice Film Festival in 1960.
Schinasi continued to pursue new artistic endeavors over the years. In her senior years, she wrote “The Road I Have Travelled,” a memoir that provides insight into her unusual life path. She also worked as an art therapist, utilizing her artistic abilities to assist others.
“Today, nearly 100 years after its inception, Altina’s cat-eye design continues to have an impact on fashion accessory trends around the world.” “Happy birthday to a visionary in more ways than one!” Google stated in a blog post.
