Oliver Goldsmith is THEE Eyewear OG

Have you ever asked yourself where Audrey Hepburn's sunglasses came from? In every one of her movies she sported different yet enigmatic eyewear. The answer is...Oliver Goldsmith. Hepburn along with other icons of the 20th century that include Princess Grace Kelly, John Lennon, Ursula Andress, Olivia Newton John, The Rolling Stones and many, many others created their signature styles with the help of their OG's.

In fact, it was OG to bring eyewear to the fashion table. Prior to that spectacles were only worn to improve faulty vision and coated with tint to protect eyes from the sun. In 1935 Charles Goldsmith entered the family firm bringing with him a new idea, that glasses could be in fashion, particularly when worn as sunglasses. Vogue, Queen, Dior, Givenchy and other fashion heavy-weights relied on Goldsmith's to bring the freshest frames to the game. That they did indeed and continue to do so. (Thank GOD too! They ceased production for 20 years!)

"I don’t believe in those theories about a certain style suiting a certain shape of face. Life is too short to worry about such things. If you find a shape you like, have it.”

Oliver Goldsmith, 1969

OG is now run by Claire Goldsmith, great granddaughter of the man who founded P. Oliver Goldsmith Ltd in 1926. The brand has ready-to-wear available at these locations in the USA. Then there is the couture line: hundreds of classic OG designs, spanning from the silky 1940’s to the circular 1970’s, entirely recreated by hand. You can have frames custom made to fit you perfectly, then choose material colors and lens colors. To get on it, make an appointment to visit the Notting Hill showroom in London. Fabrication takes about 3 weeks. Prices start at £230.00. ($450 current conversion)

Check out this cheeky television ad OG made in the early 1980's:

-Maria G