Oliver Goldsmith

Described by the V&A as 'the originator of fashion eyewear', Oliver Goldsmith first started producing sunglasses in the 1960s after he realised that nobody was designing sunglasses as fashion accessories. He introduced both original design and the use of plastic in creating his stylish 'sunspecs' and as the brand's success grew so did its client list, name checking everyone from Grace of Monaco (aka Grace Kelly) and Princess Margaret to Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.

Goldsmith designed couture sunglasses for Hollywood both on and off screen and his specially commissioned designs graced the front covers of fashion magazines across the world, as well as featuring in movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's and How to Steal a Million. However in 1976 The Oliver Goldsmith store on London's Poland Street closed and the label disappeared. That is until in 2005 Goldsmith's great-granddaughter Claire rediscovered her family's business and decided to revive the brand, opening a showroom in London's Notting Hill and re-releasing classic designs from the Oliver Goldsmith archive. Now everyone from Victoria Beckham to Gwyneth Paltrow can be seen in the iconic rims and Claire has even revived the bespoke service her great-grandfather once ran, producing handmade sunglasses to order. Next season the brand will expand further, recruiting a team of dedicated designers who will not only recreate Goldsmith's classic styles, but also introduce new original designs for the future.