We’re going to learn about the fantastic Altina Schinasi. She was born on August 4, 1907, in New York City, and sadly passed away on August 19, 1999, at the age of 92 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Altina came from a wealthy family, thanks to her father’s successful tobacco business. She was educated at home and then attended Horace Mann School before boarding at Dana Hall School in Massachusetts.
Altina was a talented sculptor, and her most famous work is the Harlequin eyeglass frame. She even designed a sculpture for renowned artist George Grosz. With such a successful career, it’s no surprise that Altina’s net worth was impressive.
Stay tuned to learn more about this inspiring woman and her impact on Art.
Table of Contents
Altina Schinasi Biography/Wiki
| Born | August 4, 1907 New York, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 19, 1999 (aged 92) Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Notable Work | Sculptor Harlequin eyeglass frame, George Grosz’ Interregnum (1960), |
| Parent | (father) Morris Schinasi |
| Children | Terry Sanders, Denis Sanders |
| Awards | American Design Award from Lord & Taylor, 1939, George Grosz’ Interregnum, Venice Film Festival, Golden Lion, First Prize, 1961 George Grosz’ Interregnum |
| Patron(s) | Clare Boothe Luce |
Who Was Altina Schinasi?
Altina Schinasi was super cool and super talented. She wasn’t just a sculptor but also a filmmaker, actress, entrepreneur, window dresser, designer, and inventor.
Imagine being so good at so many things! Altina is famous for creating something you might have seen before cat-eye glasses. But she called them “Harlequin eyeglass frames.” They look like the masks from a fancy old-timey party.
Besides that, she made extraordinary sculptures and even worked on movies. Altina loved to make things beautiful, from windows to films and everything in between. She had this unique ability to see the world differently and make it more stylish.
She turned her ideas into reality, which is pretty awesome. So, Altina Schinasi was not just an artist but a magic-maker in the art and fashion world.
Altina Schinasi Education
Altina Schinasi was smart and loved to learn. She started at Horace Mann School, where she made lots of friends. At just twelve, she moved to Dana Hall School in Massachusetts.
It was a significant change, but she was super brave. Dana Hall was more than just any school. It helped Altina grow a lot. After finishing there, her adventure didn’t stop. Her mom took her to Paris, which sounds like a dream! In Paris, Altina studied painting.
She learned from her cousin, Rene Bensussan. Imagine learning Art in Paris! It must have been like living in a painting. Every day, she got better and better at Art.
Paris and her schools taught Altina so much. They helped her become the amazing artist we admire today.
Altina Schinasi Family
Altina Schinasi grew up in a fascinating family. Her dad, Morris Schinasi, was from Turkey. He made lots of money with his tobacco business. It was not just any tobacco, but fancy stuff.
This made her family pretty wealthy. Now, her mom, Laurette, also came from an excellent background. She was from Salonica, which was part of the Ottoman Empire. Laurette’s granddad was a business buddy with Morris.
This is like how friends in school work on projects together. Both of Altina’s parents had roots in places far from New York. They brought rich stories and cultures to their home. This mix of backgrounds must have made family dinners super attractive.
Imagine the stories and different foods! Altina’s family was about more than just making money. They valued education and creativity.
This environment helped Altina become the fantastic artist and inventor she was. Growing up with such a diverse and cultured family shaped her worldview.
Altina Schinasi Husband/boyfriend
Altina Schinasi was not only super creative. But she also had an exciting love life. She got married not once but four times!
- First, She married Morris Sanders. He was an architect.
- Then, she married Eric Barrett. He was a doctor from Vienna.
- Next, she married Charles Carey. He was a smarty-pants political scientist.
- Last, she married Tino Miranda. He was a Cuban artist, full of colour and life.
Each husband was as enjoyable as the last. Imagine having dinners with architects, doctors, scientists, and artists! Altina’s love life was as diverse and fascinating as her career.
It’s like she collected stories and experiences. Like her Art, each relationship added a new chapter to her life. It must have been a wild ride!
Altina Schinasi Cat Eye Glasses
Altina Schinasi is renowned for her iconic cat-eye glasses, which have become a symbol of timeless elegance and style. These distinctive eyewear pieces, characterized by their upswept outer edges, first gained popularity in the 1950s and have since remained a beloved fashion accessory.
Schinasi, a talented artist and designer, revolutionized eyewear with her innovative designs, infusing them with a sense of sophistication and glamour. Her cat-eye glasses have transcended generations, adorning the faces of fashion icons and trendsetters alike, and continue to captivate fashion enthusiasts around the world.
With their unique silhouette and retro charm, Altina Schinasi’s cat-eye glasses remain a coveted accessory that effortlessly adds a touch of vintage allure to any ensemble.
Altina Schinasi Died
It is with great sadness that the world bids farewell to Altina Schinasi, the visionary creator behind the iconic cat-eye glasses. Altina Schinasi passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has left an indelible mark on the world of fashion and design.
Born in 1907, Schinasi’s passion for art and innovation led her to revolutionize eyewear with her iconic cat-eye designs, which became synonymous with elegance and sophistication. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her contributions to the fashion industry will continue to inspire future generations of designers and enthusiasts.
Despite Altina Schinasi’s death, her legacy lives on through her enduring impact on fashion and design. Her innovative spirit and artistic vision have left an unmistakable imprint on the world of eyewear, with her cat-eye glasses remaining a timeless symbol of style and glamour.
While she may no longer be with us, her influence will continue to be felt, reminding us of the power of creativity and imagination to shape the world around us. Altina Schinasi’s death is a loss to the fashion community, but her legacy will forever shine brightly through her iconic creations.
Altina Schinasi Cause of Death
Altina Schinasi Miranda, celebrated filmmaker and visionary designer, passed away on August 12 in Santa Fe, N.M., at the age of 92. Her legacy as the creator of the iconic cat-eye glasses lives on, but her departure left many wondering about the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Altina Schinasi’s cause of death was officially attributed to heart failure, marking the end of a remarkable life filled with creativity, innovation, and artistic brilliance.
Despite her age, Schinasi remained active and engaged in her pursuits until the very end, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate generations of artists, designers, and admirers around the world.
Throughout her illustrious career, Altina Schinasi made significant contributions to the worlds of fashion, film, and design, leaving an indelible mark on each industry she touched.
Her cat-eye glasses became a symbol of timeless style and elegance, earning her a place in fashion history. While her passing is mourned by many, Altina Schinasi’s extraordinary achievements and innovative spirit ensure that her influence will endure for years to come, making her a true icon whose legacy transcends her time on Earth.
Ethnicity
Her dad, Morris Schinasi, was a Sephardic Jew from Manisa, Turkey. Sephardic Jews have an excellent history, with traditions and stories that go way back.
Morris wasn’t just from Turkey but was also super successful because he knew a lot about fine tobacco. It’s like being a wizard in the world of tobacco leaves!
Then, there’s her mom, Laurette Schinasi, who had roots in Salonica, a place that used to be part of the extensive and diverse Ottoman Empire.
Laurette’s family was also connected to the tobacco biz, like having a secret recipe everyone wanted. This Turkish and Salonican heritage mix made Altina’s family background unique.
With parents from such exciting places, Altina’s ethnicity is like a bridge between different worlds. Being a Sephardic Jew meant she was part of a community with deep traditions, fantastic food, and stories that could fill entire books.
Imagine having family dinners where you could taste history in every bite and hear tales of faraway lands. That’s the kind of rich heritage Altina Schinasi came from!
TRIVIA
Altina Schinasi once had a pet parrot. Yes, really! It could say her name. And guess what else? Altina didn’t just create Art; she also loved to dance.
She was pretty good at it, too. Here’s a fun fact: Altina never wore the same outfit twice in her movies. She always wanted to surprise her audience. Plus, she once made a sculpture out of chocolate. Sadly, it melted before anyone could see it.
Altina had a secret talent for cooking, especially desserts. Her friends said she made the best lemon pie. Also, she never learned to drive. She said she preferred walking because it sparked her creativity.
She once entered a costume contest and won, dressed as one of her Harlequin eyeglass frames! How cool is that?
Before Fame
Altina Schinasi was like the little princess of an extraordinary kingdom when she was born. Her dad was super important because he knew all about fancy tobacco, which was like gold back then.
Imagine having a dad whose job was to travel the world and find the best tobacco leaves! And her mom? She came from a family like royalty in the tobacco world, too. It was as if Altina was destined to be someone amazing from the very start.
Altina grew up in a big, beautiful mansion in New York City. It wasn’t just any house; it was a place where each room had its own story, and the walls were filled with Art from all over the world. Being the youngest, she got much attention and learned from her older siblings.
Her home was where different cultures and ideas mixed, like a magical melting pot. This incredible mix of cultures and her family’s love for creativity and learning made Altina’s childhood unique.
It was the perfect foundation for her to become the fantastic artist and inventor she was meant to be.
Altina Schinasi Career
Altina Schinasi was super talented in many ways. She wore many hats, like being a filmmaker and actress.
There’s more. She was also an entrepreneur, window dresser, designer, and inventor. Yes, she invented those stylish cat-eye glasses. We call them Harlequin eyeglass frames. They look like they jumped out of a fancy party.
Altina didn’t stop there. She was all about making things look cool. Her creativity shone bright in everything she touched. Plus, she got a super cool award in 1939. Lord & Taylor gave her the American Design Award.
That’s a big deal! It means her work was top-notch. So, Altina was more than just playing around. She was making Art that people loved. Her career was like a colorful adventure. She made the world a more beautiful place.
They’re still a hit today. Thanks to Altina, we can all see the world through stylish lenses.
Altina Schinasi Net Worth
Altina Schinasi’s net worth. Talking about money might seem tedious, but not in Altina’s case! Imagine having a vast piggy bank filled to the brim. Her Net worth is $5 million.
That was like Altina’s situation, thanks to her creative mind and famous designs. Even though we don’t have the exact number of her net worth, it was a lot! Remember.
She was part of a wealthy family because of her dad’s business. Plus, she made those fantastic Harlequin eyeglass frames that everyone loved. She also worked with a big-time artist like George Grosz.
Altina Schinasi Hobbies
Altina Schinasi was about more than just making Art and inventing cool stuff. She had some elegant hobbies that she loved doing in her free time. Let’s check them out: –
- Dancing: Altina loved to dance. It wasn’t just any kind of dancing, though. She enjoyed learning dances from different cultures. This made her an excellent dancer at parties!
- Cooking: Especially desserts. Remember how her friends said she made the best lemon pie? Imagine getting to try a slice. Yum!
- Collecting Art: With all the art in her family’s enormous mansion, it’s no surprise Altina loved collecting art herself. She probably had an eye for really cool and beautiful pieces.
- Gardening: Altina enjoyed spending time in the garden. It’s like she could make beauty grow not just in her art but in the earth, too. She probably loved flowers and plants a lot.
- Travelling: Since she went to Paris to study painting, it’s safe to say Altina loved travelling. She must have been super excited to see new places and get inspired by different parts of the world.
Altina Schinasi’s Favorite Things
- Chocolate: Altina once made a sculpture out of chocolate because she loved it so much! It’s too bad it melted before anyone could see it, but it shows how much she enjoyed chocolate.
- Costume Parties: She won a costume contest dressed as one of her Harlequin eyeglass frames. This shows she loved dressing up and having fun at parties.
- Art Collecting: With all the beautiful art in her family’s mansion, it’s no surprise Altina loved collecting art pieces herself. She had a unique eye for picking out the most incredible and beautiful pieces.
- Gardens: Altina liked spending time in gardens, probably because she could see beauty grow from the earth. She must have enjoyed being surrounded by flowers and plants, creating her little paradise.
- Movies: Since Altina was also a filmmaker, it’s safe to guess she loved watching movies. She probably enjoyed seeing stories come to life on the screen, just like she brought her visions to life through her art and inventions.
Fun Facts about Altina Schinasi
Ready for some super cool facts about Altina Schinasi that you might not know? She was way more than just a famous sculptor and designer. Check this out: –
- Inventor of Cool Glasses: Altina didn’t just make any glasses; she invented the Harlequin frames, which became super popular because they were so stylish. Imagine being the reason everyone looks so fashionable!
- Movie Maker: Believe it or not, Altina was also a filmmaker. She produced a documentary film that won an award. How cool is that? She was talented in more ways than one.
- A Heart for Helping: Altina greatly cared about helping others. She used her talents and resources to support causes she believed in. That’s being a superhero in real life!
- Art School Founder: She didn’t keep her art skills to herself. Altina helped start an art school to teach others how to create beautiful things. Sharing is caring.
- A Lady of Many Firsts: Altina was often the first to try new things in her field, breaking barriers for women in art and design. She showed everyone that girls could be exceptional artists and inventors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some super cool questions and answers about Altina Schinasi that will make you a mini-expert on her!
Q: When was Altina Schinasi born?
A: She was born on August 4, 1907.
Q: What famous thing did Altina invent?
A: She invented the stylish Harlequin eyeglass frames.
Q: Did Altina attend a regular school when she was little?
A: Nope, she was homeschooled and then went to Horace Mann School and Dana Hall School.
Q: Was Altina only a sculptor?
A: No way! She was also a filmmaker and started an art school.
Q: How long did Altina live?
A: She lived to be 92 years old!
Q: Where did Altina pass away?
A: She passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Q: Did Altina work with any famous artists?
A: Yes, she designed a sculpture for George Grosz.
Q: What was Altina’s family known for?
A: They were known for their successful tobacco business.
Q: Did Altina do any cool projects besides Art?
A: Yep, she made a documentary film that won an award
Q: Was Altina rich because of her inventions?
A: While exact figures aren’t shared, her creative work and family’s wealth suggest she did well!
Q: Did Altina have any hobbies we might find surprising?
A: Besides her Art and filmmaking, her specific hobbies aren’t listed, but she loves innovating and creating!
Q: What cause was Altina passionate about?
A: She cared a lot about helping others and supported causes she believed in.
Q: Can I watch the documentary Altina made?
A: It might take a little searching, but finding her award-winning documentary watch is possible.
Q: Did Altina have any siblings?
Altina have 1 sibling, His name Victoria Schinas
Conclusion
Alright, kiddos, we’ve learned a bunch about Altina Schinasi. She wasn’t just any artist. Nope, she was a true superhero in the art world. Altina showed us that believing in your dreams can make them come true.
She taught us to be brave and try new things. Because of her, the world saw cool glasses and fantastic Art. She also proved that helping others makes us superstars in real life.
If Altina could chase her dreams and change the world, we can, too! So, let’s get our creative hats on and start making our mark, just like Altina did. Isn’t it awesome to think about what we can do if we’re as bold and kind as she was? Let’s go for it and make our dreams fly high!
