Oliver Peoples is an American luxury eyewear brand established in 1986, and owned by
Luxottica.[1] The brand is sold in Oliver Peoples boutiques, online, and in fashion boutiques and department stores throughout the world. Oliver Peoples eyewear is designed in
Los Angeles, Italy, and Japan.[2]
History
Oliver Peoples was founded by Kenny Schwartz, Larry Leight and his brother Dennis Leight in 1986.[3] Before they launched the company, Schwartz and Larry Leight worked as
opticians. They would draw glasses on the celebrities in Vogue magazine.[4] In 1984, Leight designed a frame, later named "Identity,"[5] that was fabricated for pop artist
Andy Warhol.[6] Warhol wore the glasses for an editorial spread published in the German magazine Männer Vogue in 1987.[7]
In 1986, while Schwartz and the Leight brothers were searching for eyewear brands to stock their new boutique in
West Hollywood, California,[8] they purchased a bulk lot of American brand name frames in their original packaging for $5,000 at an auction in Connecticut.[9] While going through the inventory, a receipt was found naming the frames' original owner, Oliver Peoples. The brothers named the company after him.[3]
In 2006,
Oakleyacquired Oliver Peoples for $46.7 million.[10] In 2007, Oakley was purchased by eyewear giant
Luxottica.[11] In 2016, Rocco Basilico became the CEO of Oliver Peoples. After his first year at the helm, Basilico earned himself a place on the famed Forbes' '30 Under 30' list.[12] To date, Basilico has helped increase Oliver Peoples' retail footprint from 14 to 42 global stores.[13]
In 1994, Oliver Peoples and
Sir Elton John collaborated to create a series of frames with a portion of the proceeds going to the
Elton John AIDS Foundation. This marked the first collaboration with the brand.[24]
In 2009, Oliver Peoples collaborated with actress Zooey Deschanel for a signature pair of sunglasses called "Zooey."[25]
In 2012, Oliver Peoples collaborated with the Peck estate to launch the Gregory Peck style inspired by Peck's character in the film, To Kill a Mockingbird.[26]
In 2013, Oliver Peoples collaborated with French women's brand, Isabel Marant.[27]
In 2015, Oliver Peoples collaborated with Rodarte.,[28] Public School.[29] and fragrance brand Byredo.[30]
In 2016, Oliver Peoples collaborated with the luxury fashion label established by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, The Row.[31]
In 2019, Oliver Peoples collaborate with the Grant estate to launch the Cary Grant style inspired by Grant's character in the film, North by Northwest.[32]
In 2020, Oliver Peoples collaborated with premium audio company, Master & Dynamic.[33]
In 2021, Oliver Peoples collaborated with Italian luxury brand, Brunello Cucinelli,[34] and fashion house, Frère.[35]
In 2023, Oliver Peoples collaborated with New York womenswear brand, Khaite.[36]
Boutiques
As of 2022, the brand has 42 stores in North America, Europe, and Asia.[13]