8 Ways Oliver Peoples Built a Hollywood Eyewear Empire
The West Hollywood brand with a luxury presence, Oliver Peoples is one player in the eyewear game that has definitely earned its legacy. We’ve rounded up 8 ways in which the brand pioneered luxury eyewear and reached international success.
1. They started with a passion for the craft
Oliver Peoples’ story is interesting, to say the least. What started with three opticians ended up being a multi-million dollar company.
It was the late ‘80s when Larry Leight, his brother Dennis, and their childhood friend Kenny Schwartz were all working as opticians in the heart of Hollywood.
After nearly a decade in the industry they felt something was missing in the eyewear market. They couldn’t escape kitschy, commercial frames with bright colors and loud prints. They craved something more classic. Something timeless, like the frames worn in the black-and-white scenes of old Hollywood movies. This vintage Hollywood inspiration would spur the group to go into business together.
But first, they needed to understand what they were modeling their brand after. They wanted something that was genuinely vintage, so that it would stand out against competitors. It seemed like a strike of luck when a mutual friend told them about a warehouse filled with vintage frames in New York City. They checked it out and hit the jackpot. The warehouse was full of what they had been searching for: vintage eyewear frames, of which they bought close to 6,000 pairs. Their first store was stocked.
2. They’ve been spontaneous since the beginning
Okay, so there is Larry, Dennis and Kenny, but who is Oliver Peoples? Contrary to popular belief that Oliver Peoples is a made-up name, the truth makes the brand’s beginnings even more cinematic.
After looking through the boxes of vintage frames they bought, the friends stumbled upon a receipt from the previous owner: Oliver Peoples.
The details around the mysterious eyewear collector are fuzzy, but the group eventually discovered that Peoples’ family, not knowing what to do with his extensive eyewear collection, put it in a warehouse when he died. To pay homage to the man who unknowingly gave them their start, the friends named their brand after him.
3. They craft their eyewear in Japan and Italy
Not only does Oliver Peoples tote a unique history, but their craftsmanship today still follows the opticians’ initial desire to create beautiful quality eyewear. They have two dedicated factories in Italy and Japan where all their sunglasses and eyeglasses are crafted.
For this reason, the brand’s price tag airs on the side of luxury. With Oliver Peoples, the investment is worth it; their frames are made from the highest-quality Japanese titaniums, Italian acetates and polished metals.
4. They became the go-to brand for A-listers
You know that moment when you see a really great pair of frames worn by your favorite celebrity? You might have even scoured the internet searching for the exact model, but to no avail. Chances are, they were from Oliver Peoples.
Since the ‘80s, Oliver Peoples has been worn by A-list celebrities such as Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo Di Caprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
And not only are they the chosen brand for off-duty looks, but a pair of Oliver Peoples frames have been spotted more than once on the silver screen. Both Christian Bale in American Psycho and Brad Pitt in Fight Club wore Oliver Peoples eyewear, and that’s just to name a few.
5. They focus on limited-edition collaborations with unique inspirations
On top of their original styles, the brand routinely comes out with limited edition collaborations that span from cinema, fashion and style icons.
Their Gregory Peck shades and specs, made in collaboration with the Gregory Peck Estate, have become one of the brand’s most iconic styles.
The same can be said for their best-selling Cary Grant sunglasses and eyeglasses, which pay homage to the actor’s pair in Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.
Over the last few seasons, Oliver Peoples has also partnered with the high-end fashion house Brunello Cucinelli for a series of ultra-luxury frames that highlight the Umbrian brand’s unparalleled refinement.
6. They make sure to take precautions against possible fakes
Another reason why Oliver Peoples has become such an undisputed eyewear empire? The answer is easy: it’s hard to copy the greats. Over the last two decades, the brand has invented a few ways to distinguish its frames from fakes.
Here are some ways to tell if your Oliver Peoples frames are authentic:
- Sunglasses with glass lenses contain the signature ‘breath logo’. Fog up the lens with your breath and the iconic logo will reveal itself. It’s a level of sophisticated detail that’s subtle, and hard to duplicate.
- Temple tips are usually fitted with a discrete but clear logo plaque. It’s important to note that some models with different tips won’t have this plaque, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re fake.
- The edges and details of the frame are impeccable. Check for engraving, filigree metalwork and ultra-fine detailing that are clean and polished.
- Packaging is official. Every Oliver Peoples frame comes in official brand packaging including a logo-embossed box, a hard case with flap, a microfiber cloth and a drawstring soft fabric case. Note that exclusive collections will differentiate in the specifics, but the Oliver Peoples logo will always be present.
7. They are owned by the largest eyewear group in the world
After being an independent brand for almost 20 years, Oliver Peoples was bought by Oakley in 2006, which shortly after was bought by Luxottica group. Being the world’s largest eyewear company, Luxottica further grew the brand to what it is today.
8. They are available to buy at select retailers
Oliver Peoples selects their retailers with care, and miaburton.com is one of them. You can shop the latest Oliver Peoples collections on our site and even try on select sun and optic styles virtually. It’s an easy way to try them on and see how your favorite styles look on you, without having to find them physically near you.