Oliver Peoples

Oliver Peoples was founded by Kenny Schwartz, Larry Leight and his brother Dennis Leight in 1986.[3] Before they launched the company, Kenny Schwartz and Larry Leight worked as opticians. They would draw glasses on the celebrities in Vogue.[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, Oakley acquired 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 luxury eyewear brand, 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]

1991, Oliver Peoples is mentioned in Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho. The film adaptation, released in 2000, features Christian Bale in the iconic Oliver Peoples O’Malley frame.[14] The same year, Julia Roberts wears M-4 Sun in Dying Young.

1993, Whoopi Goldbergs wears MP-2 in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Also in 1993, Laura Dern wore Oliver Peoples glasses in Jurassic Park.[15]

1997, Bruce Willis wears O’Malley Sun in The Jackal.[16]

1999, Brad Pitt wears Oliver Peoples styles in Fight Club.[17]

2004, Denzel Washington, wears Oliver Peoples in Man On Fire.[18]

2005, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie wear Oliver Peoples in Mr. & Mrs. Smith.[19]

2022, Kevin Costner wears Oliver Peoples in the TV series, Yellowstone.[20]

2022, Theo James and Aubrey Plaza wear Oliver Peoples in the HBO series White Lotus.[21]

2023, Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy wears Oliver Peoples in the HBO series Succession.[22]

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.[23]

In 2009, Oliver Peoples collaborated with actress Zooey Deschanel for a signature pair of sunglasses called "Zooey."[24]

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.[25]

In 2013, Oliver Peoples collaborated with French women's brand, Isabel Marant.[26]

In 2015, Oliver Peoples collaborated with Rodarte.,[27] Public School.[28] and fragrance brand Byredo.[29]

In 2016, Oliver Peoples collaborated with the luxury fashion label established by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, The Row.[30]

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.[31]

In 2020, Oliver Peoples collaborated with premium audio company, Master & Dynamic.[32]

In 2021, Oliver Peoples collaborated with Italian luxury brand, Brunello Cucinelli,[33] and fashion house, Frère.[34]

In 2023, Oliver Peoples collaborated with New York womenswear brand, Khaite.[35]

As of 2022, the brand has 42 stores in North America, Europe, and Asia.[13]

• Warby Parker
• Ray-Ban