Oliver Peoples Los Angeles

It all started with Larry and Dennis Leight’s decision to launch a new concept retail optical store on Sunset Blvd in 1986 in West Hollywood.

1930's Vintage Estate Collection Acquisition: The Original Inspiration.

Soon after, Larry and his brother purchased an estate of vintage American-made eyewear. The frames had never before been sold (brand new optical) with thousands of different frame styles and clip-ons produced by American factories from the1940s thru the 1960's. It was a goldmine given their love of early American originals. It was through this acquisition that Larry developed his own collection of eyewear called Oliver Peoples.

1987 VEE: The introduction of Oliver Peoples

Larry and Dennis introduced their wholesale business to the industry at Vision Expo East in 1987. Their collection was filled with original retro and vintage-inspired optical frame designs. Antique metal finishes and all shades of spotted tortoise shell plastic were hallmarks of the collection. The new style impacted the industry on a global level as an emergence of this styling was seen soon thereafter.

1987 European Eyewear Trade Shows

In that first year, Larry traveled to the European trade shows with the first wholesale collection. He met with the top 10 European opticians to listen and learn from their observations and impressions. He watched them buy and sell his unique styles with unprecedented enthusiasm and success.

The Magazines: Gaining Popularity Phase 1

Later that year, Larry visited the top fashion magazines in U.S. and Paris. The response was positive and energetic, and editors requested numerous styles to showcase in important editorial shoots. Three to six months later, Oliver Peoples Eyewear was featured on the faces of top models in several of the hottest fashion magazines in the United States and Europe. It was the beginning of Oliver Peoples’ popularity around the world.

Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog: Phase 2

Neiman Marcus showcased Oliver Peoples’ best selling frame, a model 505 in Tokyo Tortoise with antiqued metal detail and filigree, and a hand made tortoise shell case in their famous Christmas catalog. Neiman’s received the single biggest response they had ever seen from a single featured item. They exceed sales expectations more than imaginable and again the popularity and demand significantly increased throughout the US.Influential Frames: 505 and MP-2 with Clip-Ons

1989 Time Magazine Article

In 1989 Time Magazine ran an article on Oliver Peoples. They dedicated a full page to interviews with the top optical retailers in New York City, who claimed they’d never seen a phenomenon of this magnitude in all their years in the industry. Oliver Peoples stood alone with a design style unique to its own. The article provided enormous global exposure for Oliver Peoples and fueled another surge in popularity and demand. In fact, it was out of control: The wholesale office could not keep up, which ironically created yet more demand. Influential Frame: OP-6

Larry’s Dream Realized: Reaching the “Right” Clientele

It was tastemakers and influential people who were celebrated globally for their own crafts that Larry hoped to impress with his designs. This included people from the art world, photographers, models, agents, producers, writers, film makers actors, musicians, stylists, fashion editors, and retailers from the best companies. He wanted his art adorning artists of all kinds from all over the world. Influential Frame: 3 Piece Optical Rimless

Refocus: Adjusting to the Times

In 2000, Oliver Peoples began placing a major emphasis on the sunglass collections after realizing the surge in this side of the business. They aimed to design styles that would attract the most fashion forward and progressive women in the entertainment industry. The major break through came in 2002, when Oliver Peoples truly became one of the most sought after premium sunglass brands with a collection that featured top selling styles like the La Donna and Vanadis. Profiled in the best fashion magazines throughout the world and seen on the most stylish celebrities and people worldwide, Oliver Peoples was among the top selling brands at Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman thus becoming a major brand in the luxury sunglass market. Influential Frames: Aero, La Donna

Retail Roll Out: The Global Expansion

Beginning in 2000, Oliver Peoples opened 4 additional retail stores to complement the Los Angeles location. Starting with Madison Avenue in New York City, the brand had finally reached the east coast with a boutique in one of the most elite shopping areas. Soon thereafter, a SoHo, Tokyo, and Costa Mesa locations were added. Influential Frames: Athena, Harlot

The Next 20: Plans for the Future

As the world changes, so does Oliver Peoples. The innovative designs continue to set trends and reach today’s most prominent and renowned people. While plans for more retail stores remain a priority, the exclusive distribution which had always been a cornerstone of the brand will never be sacrificed. Influential Frame: Moffitt