To commemorate iconic eyewear brand Oliver Peoples’ 25th anniversary in 2012, a very special pair of frames was released. The XXV 25th Anniversary eyeglasses have now become, themselves, a highly sought-after pair of vintage shades, and it’s no surprise why. The timeless appeal of the brand is perfectly embodied in both the sunglasses and the companion eyeglasses, also unveiled to mark the occasion.
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The Specs
The 25th Anniversary shades from Oliver Peoples boasts a classic, feminine cat eye shape, and were available in a range of frame colors including black, tortoiseshell, and near-translucent. The aim of the design was the fusion of the vintage-look styling elements the brand is famous for and contemporary detailing, such as the slick modified paddle temples.
The frame is based on a sketch made by Larry Leight, Oliver Peoples’ founder and creative director, back in 1989. Leight rediscovered the drawing a few years after the eyewear brand launched but felt the time wasn’t right to take the design forward until the approach of the anniversary. For Leight, touches like the custom filigree metal finishes and retro-look temple plaque make these glasses a classic Oliver Peoples’ offering: style and substance intrinsically combined.
And the great news for fans? The cat eye shape of the shades is one of the most versatile frames when it comes to matching with face shape. Meaning whether you have a round, square, diamond, oval, or heart-shaped face, these sunglasses should work perfectly.
The Ad Campaign
Leight insisted on creating an ad campaign for the Oliver Peoples’ 25th Anniversary glasses that was as brand-distinctive as the eyewear itself. To this end, he hand-selected the Hollywood actor Ray Liotta and the actress Bar Paly for the ad.
The short film, directed by Patrick Hoelck, showed the actors sporting both the sunglasses and eyeglasses from the 25th Anniversary collection. For Leight, the actors chosen embodied the old-school yet dynamic Hollywood aesthetic of his brand.
Where Can I Purchase a Pair of Oliver Peoples’ 25th Anniversary Sunglasses?
Unfortunately, these shades are no longer available new from the manufacturer, so if you want a pair you’ll need to seek them out second-hand. As well as checking out online auction sites – where you’ll pay around $250 to $350 for a good-quality pair – it’s a good idea to get in touch with a specialist vintage eyewear store. The latter may be happy to get in touch with you should a pair come its way.
When purchasing Oliver Peoples’ 25th Anniversary sunglasses, be aware that shades that come with the original case and cleaning cloth will likely come with a potentially significantly higher price tag.
Which Color of Oliver Peoples’ Frames Should I Choose?
If you’re lucky enough to have a choice of frame color, it’s important to carefully consider which will be right for you. If you have a warm skin tone, it’s best to opt for frames in shades such as copper, orange, gold, peach, khaki, bright red, warm blue, off-white, and coral.
Cool skin tones tend to look great wearing frames in silver, black, blue-gray, pink, gray, emerald green, and plum. Tortoiseshell frames are very versatile and look fabulous on those with all skin tones. And if you have a neutral skin tone? You should be able to wear pretty much any color frame you like.
Oliver Peoples: Brand Origin
Oliver Peoples opened its first boutique in Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, in 1987. The brand’s first designs were based on those of vintage frames purchased at an estate auction. The same year, founder Larry Leight was asked to design a custom frame for Andy Warhol to wear for a German Manner Vogue cover shoot, firmly establishing the brand’s fashion-royalty credentials.
The brand took off through the rest of the 1980s, bringing on board a team of expert opticians and opening a stream of new outlets, including the flagship Tokyo store. More than three decades later, Oliver Peoples remains at the forefront of eyewear expertise and luxury design, boasting a huge number of celeb clients and fans. In 2017, to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary, the brand collaborated with renowned French eyewear designer Alain Mikli to create a vibrant capsule collection of sunglasses.
Final Thoughts
The sunglasses and eyeglasses unveiled to mark Oliver Peoples’ 25th anniversary perfectly reflect the brand’s style ethos and commitment to high-quality design. If you’d like to get hold of a pair of these timeless shades (or glasses), then it may be tricky – and on the expensive side – but it can be done. When not buying directly from a retailer or manufacturer, take steps to ensure that the seller is reputable and trustworthy and that you know exactly the condition of the sunglasses you’re buying. And once you are? Get set to enjoy your style investment for years to come.
