Oliver Goldsmith has been a family-run business for over 90 years. Established in 1926, this iconic British brand went on to revolutionise the eyewear industry as we know it today. With a progressive perspective, innovation, and immense passion, the brand redefined the humble spectacle into the global phenomenon we now know as ‘eyewear’, and they haven’t stopped.
From Michael Caine, Peter Sellers, John Lennon, and Audrey Hepburn to modern-day icons such as Kate Moss, Robbie Williams, and Lady Gaga, the list of famous faces these frames have graced is extraordinary.
Oliver Goldsmith was the first to work with fashion houses such as Givenchy and Dior to create one-off pieces for the catwalk, the first eyewear brand to appear in Vogue and Queen magazine, the first to be endorsed publicly by celebrities and the Royal family – they were pioneers of their industry, and it is this fascinating and rich heritage that has allowed the brand to stand the test of time.
So how does a brand remain current in a world dominated by fast fashion and endless choice? Claire Goldsmith, manager of the brand today, and great-granddaughter to Oliver, believes it is their continued dedication to producing outstanding handmade frames combined with an unrivalled legacy that is a testament to the brands’ success.
Claire Goldsmith
CEO at Oliver Goldsmith
“A lot has changed within the industry over the past 100 years. We were pioneers of our game, but when licensing came into play during the eighties, the company took a real hit. For the first time people could buy Gucci eyewear or Armani, or Prada…the temptation of these huge global brands was too much, and small British brands such as OG paid the price.”
“Despite this initially being a low point in the company’s history, it paved the way for our re-launch in 2006. Licensing saturated the market (it still does), but people grew tired of the marvel of mass production. The desire for quality, handmade products was back on the rise, and I saw my opportunity.”
Claire Goldsmith delved into the companies archives and began producing handmade reissues of some of the brands’ most iconic designs of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
To this day, each pair of sunglasses are embossed with their original release date. Each frame has such integrity, you can literally feel the quality. How many people can say they are wearing the same frames as Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, or Michael Caine in the ‘Ipcress File’?
There truly isn’t another eyewear brand that represents such an exciting and fashionable time in British history, in fact, the Victoria & Albert Museum deemed OG ‘the originators of fashion eyewear’, and the museum itself holds a permanent collection of OG frames dating between 1930 and 1985. Owning a pair of Goldsmith’s is like owning a historical vestige – they perfectly encapsulate the era of their original production, and for Goldsmith, it was a time of glamour, cult icons, and incredible style; if that isn’t something to emulate, I don’t know what is.
About Oliver Goldsmith
Established in 1926, this is the story of one family’s mission to change the way we see the world through eyewear design and innovation.
Oliver Goldsmith is a British heritage brand with nearly 100 years of experience. With four generations of knowledge behind us, we continue to make some of the most beautiful eyewear in the world. Eyewear that pushes the boundaries of expectation, self-expression and individuality.
In 2015, it was now Claire Goldsmith, Philip’s great-granddaughter and the fourth generation Goldsmith’s turn at the helm.
“As a child I used to pore over the pictures of iconic celebrities and models wearing Oliver Goldsmith glasses. Michael Caine, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Peter Sellers were the poster boys and girls for style defining eyewear’ – Claire Goldsmith
Passionate about the maintaining the legacy of her forefathers – her promise is to ensure that the collections continue to deliver the prestige of the Goldsmith name. Archival designs are brought back to life alongside new and unique styles, but each frame carries the significance of an unparalleled design heritage.
Read more about this brand on TEF Magazine or visit their website.
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