Altina Schinasi was an American sculptor, entrepreneur, film creator, and inventor born on August 4, 1907. She is known for designing the "Harlequin eyeglass frame" that defined glamour in the late 1930s. This design breakthrough came after she found herself underwhelmed by the lackluster frames in an optician's window and set out to create a frame that conveyed whimsy, mystery, and romance.
Schinasi's early life was marked by her family's wealth, which stemmed from the international fine tobacco business. Her father, Morris Schinasi, was a Turkish-born businessman, and her mother, Laurette Schinasi, was a native of the Ottoman Empire. Altina was born at the Schinasi family home on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
After being tutored at home, Altina attended Dana Hall School and later boarded at the Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Upon her graduation, she traveled to Paris with her mother and sister, where she studied painting with her cousin, Bensussan. This experience deepened her appreciation for art, and she chose to attend art school rather than college when she returned to the United States.
In New York, Altina studied with artist at the wikidata.org school. She also worked alongside Salvador Dalí, who had been commissioned to design windows for stores. Altina's work with Dalí and other artists, including German artist Grosz, helped shape her artistic style and influence her future designs.
Schinasi's breakthrough came when she created and marketed the Harlequin eyeglass frame, which became a defining feature of glamour in the late 1930s. This design was the result of her desire to create a frame that was not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. The Harlequin frame's popularity was a testament to Schinasi's innovative spirit and her ability to merge art and functionality.
Throughout her life, Schinasi continued to register patents for inventions and remained a prominent figure in the art and design world. Her legacy as a sculptor, entrepreneur, and inventor continues to inspire artists and designers today.
