Oliver Goldsmith is a British eyewear design company established in London in 1926 by Phillip Oliver Goldsmith. Under the directorship of his son Charles "Oliver" Goldsmith and grandsons Andrew Oliver and Raymond the brand became known worldwide for its innovative designs. These included glasses and sunglasses famously worn by celebrities such as Diana Dors, Michael Caine and Audrey Hepburn. Notably, Hepburn's sunglasses in Breakfast at Tiffany's were an Oliver Goldsmith design. The spectacles have remained in production without interruption, whereas the production of sunglasses ceased in 1985 and was revived in 2005 after a 20-year hiatus by the founder's great-granddaughter, Claire Goldsmith.
Company history
Philip Oliver Goldsmith (1890-1947) started out as a travelling salesman for Raphaels opticians, before opening an opticians at 60 Poland Street specialising in handmade spectacles-frames of real tortoiseshell.[1] His son Charles (1914-1991) joined him in 1930, and during the Second World War, the firm supplied spectacles to the armed forces whilst catering to civilians.[1]
In 1947, following Philip's death, Charles took his company's name as his own, and became chairman.[1]