Google Doodle honors Altina Schinasi, designer of cat-eye glasses
What's the story
On Friday, August 4, Google Doodle is celebrating the 116th birth anniversary of Altina Schinasi, an acclaimed American artist and designer.
She is most renowned for her creation of the Harlequin eyeglass frame, famously known as cat-eye glasses.
Schinasi, a window dresser, designer, and inventor, is fondly remembered for her valuable contribution to eyewear fashion and design.
Background
Story of her origins
Schinasi was born on this day in 1907 in Manhattan, New York, to immigrant parents.
She studied painting in Paris and developed a deep appreciation for the arts.
Back in the United States, she continued her art studies in New York and worked as a window dresser on Fifth Avenue, where she learned from influential artists like Salvador Dalí and George Grosz.
Inspiration
What inspired Schinasi to design those iconic cat-eye frames?
She observed that women's glasses mostly offered round frames with mundane designs.
This observation led her to think differently and she found inspiration in the shape of Harlequin masks she saw during the Carnevale festival in Venice, Italy.
The masks' pointed edges appealed to her, and she decided to create a new and fashionable eyewear option for women by mimicking that shape.
Struggle
The struggle and reward thereafter
Schinasi's innovative cat-eye glasses were initially rejected by major manufacturers as they considered the design too edgy.
However, she persevered and found success when a local shop owner believed in her vision.
The exclusive design quickly became a major fashion accessory for women in the US.
For this, she even received the Lord & Taylor American Design Award in 1939.
Artworks
What's special about her creations?
Schinasi's artworks are a brilliant fusion of bold colors, geometric patterns, and intriguing abstract forms.
Inspired by Native American, African, and Modernist art, her work stands out and is highly regarded even today.
She is considered one of the most important textile designers of the 20th century, and her pieces are sought after by museums and collectors worldwide.
Notable works
Her notable artistic achievements
Schinasi left behind an array of notable works that showcase her versatility and artistic brilliance.
One of her notable works is the "Altina Schinasi" rug, designed for the Knoll Textile Company in 1955.
She also designed a beautiful ceramic vase called "Aphrodite" in 1960 for the Steuben Glass Company.
Another impressive piece is the "Opus II" necklace, designed in 1965.