Cat-eye glasses: from Harlequin masks to independent designers
From Altina Schinasi’s Harlequin frame to independent designers: history, design and six cat-eye sun and optical models from the OCCHIO selection.
By OCCHIO
Two corners rising towards the temples. The cat-eye was born in the 1930s from a designer who found the glasses of her time too anonymous, and it has kept changing character ever since.
A mask to wear.
In the late 1930s Altina Schinasi, a New York artist, stopped in front of an optician’s window and found nothing she liked. So she designed a frame inspired by Harlequin masks, with raised outer corners.
Manufacturers turned it down as too daring. Schinasi started her own production and brought it to department stores. In 1939 the design won the Lord & Taylor American Design Award, and magazines such as Vogue and Life described how eyewear had become a fashion accessory.
What makes a cat-eye.
The same principle can be barely hinted at or strongly marked: the intensity changes, not the shape.
03 / The models
Six interpretations.
Sun and optical, in acetate, titanium and metal: six ways to lift the corners.
How to choose one.
Look at how far the corners rise and how thick the upper rim is: these two elements decide whether a cat-eye stays discreet or takes centre stage. Then compare lens width, bridge and total width with a frame that fits you well, as explained in our size guide.
Frequently asked questions
Before you choose
Why is it called cat-eye?
Because of the outer corners, which rise like the outline of a cat’s eye. The first model was called Harlequin, after the Harlequin masks.
Are cat-eye glasses only for women?
No. Their character depends on how far the corners rise and how thick the front is: choose by proportions, not by gender.
Are there cat-eye optical frames?
Yes, many cat-eye frames are designed for prescription lenses: each product page says so.
Can I try them before buying?
Yes, at our boutique in Crema, Italy. Online you will find photos, measurements and availability, with international shipping.
OCCHIO · Crema
The cat-eye selection
Sun and optical, in acetate, titanium and metal. Each model in a single piece.
Sources and images
Altina Schinasi, Wikipedia. Official brand photographs, used editorially for products sold by OCCHIO.