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Vintage Frames Company Community Project: Claire Goldsmith

Vintage Frames Company Community Project: Claire Goldsmith



Name: Claire Goldsmith
Age: 34
Job: Director of Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses and CG Eyewear
 
Who Are You:
 
I am the great granddaughter of Oliver Goldsmith, one of the most influential designers and creators of modern day eyewear and the man who once dressed the eyes of iconic fashionistas such as Audrey Hepburn and Michael Caine. For three generations the my family  have been creating incredible eyewear that has pushed the boundaries of expectation, self expression and individuality. During my childhood I was fascinated by what my family were doing. I used to pore over the pictures of iconic celebrities and models wearing Goldsmith glasses. Michael Caine, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Peter Sellers, were the poster boys and girls for our style defining eyewear.
 
Inspired by my family’s legacy I decided that 2010 was the year to launch the new generation of Goldsmith designs and bring the name into the future under the label CG. For my team of eyewear enthusiasts, it’s been a natural progression from working with the inspiring OG archive of vintage frames, to want to launch new collections of both sun and optical designs. It was inevitable that we would start to develop ideas of our own, from refining the classics and giving them a modern twist, to using the most up-todate technologies available and alternative materials. Hence how the new brand CG was born. But my heart will always lie with vintage styling.
 
What is your most prized pair of Vintage Frames and why:
 
My favourite pair of vintage frames are the Bamboo Aviators we have in the OG archive. They are a total one off, I’ve never seen anything like them before and I think they date to circa 1961. They are also really fragile and completely handmade – in fact I am not sure how I would make them again even if I tried! Image attached.

 

What is your earliest memory of a pair of frames that stuck in your head until today:

My first memories of eyewear are of my father sitting at the dinner table adjusting guests frames using a hairdryer as a make-shift frame heater! I used to wonder what on earth he was doing, and now I find myself doing the same thing, some 30 years later!
 
If you could stumble upon 1 pair of Vintage Frames, what would it be:

I really have such an amazing collection of rarities that there are few frames I long to own. Really if I see something along the way that just takes my breath away I do what it takes to get it. But in terms of any one frame out there that I would like to own  - I think I own it.....it’s a limited edition OG frame made in 1966 – Image attached. I wore it on my wedding day. Only 20 were ever made and they were bejewelled by a one armed nun in the hills of Italy – apparently!! Totally awesome beautiful and breathtaking frame.
 
About how many Vintage Frames do you have in your collection:

About 2000 pairs!
 
Why do you choose Vintage Frames instead of new eyewear:

It’s my family’s legacy and my future.........