Altina Schinasi was an American artist, inventor, designer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur best known for designing the Harlequin eyeglass frame, popularly known as cat-eye glasses. She was born in 1907 in Manhattan, New York, to immigrant parents of Sephardic Jewish descent and had a diverse artistic career spanning sculpture, filmmaking, and window dressing. In the late 1930s, dissatisfied with the eyeglass frames available, she created a dramatic new design inspired by Venetian Harlequin masks, which revolutionized eyewear and became a fashion statement, winning her the American Design Award from Lord & Taylor in 1939. Beyond eyewear, Schinasi was deeply involved in the art world, collaborating with Salvador Dalí and studying under notable artists. She also produced the Academy Award-nominated documentary "George Grosz' Interregnum" and remained active in creative and social endeavors throughout her life until her death in 1999. Her legacy includes contributions to art, fashion, and activism, with ongoing influence in eyewear design to this day.
