Short Stops
O’Malley “Retro Specs” Eyeglass Frames a Big Hit
Oliver Peoples, maker of designer eyewear, named one of its frames “O’Malley” and according to its website the design is “inspired by the classic frame worn by Los Angeles Dodgers’ former owner Peter O’Malley.”
Oliver Peoples, maker of designer eyewear, named one of its frames “O’Malley” and according to its website the design is “inspired by the classic frame worn by Los Angeles Dodgers’ former owner Peter O’Malley. It remains one of the most recognizable and iconic frames in the eyewear industry.” O’Malley frames are listed on the Oliver Peoples site as “bestseller.” The “O’Malley” style frame is available for regular lenses and sunglasses. In 2023, Oliver Peoples expanded its offering with a limited-edition “O’Malley” sunglasses, featuring Regal Blue lenses.
Optician Larry Leight and his brother Dennis founded Oliver Peoples. Their Sunset Plaza storefront on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood opened in 1987.
Peter O’Malley wearing eyeglasses that inspired Oliver Peoples, maker of designer eyewear, to name one of its frames “O’Malley” which became a classic and “bestseller” according to the Oliver Peoples’ website.
The “O’Malley” acetate frame with contrasting tortoiseshell colors is hand-crafted in Italy. For a brief period, after 21 years of production as one of its original brand-defining styles, the “O’Malley” frame ceased production due to manufacturing issues in 2009. Larry Leight said in a 2009 New York Times article, “Nobody had that O’Malley look” when the company started out. Leight said, “It was a great frame that looked old but never got old” and people who wore them “became addicted” to the classic look.
When production could continue a couple of years later, Leight re-released the three original frame designs that he started in his initial collection, including “O’Malley.” The frames were designated as part of the Oliver Peoples Vintage, circa 1987, collection and designated as “Sir O’Malley,” “Sir Kent,” and “Sir Finley.” Demand has kept O’Malley frames in production ever since.
The “O’Malley” frames have been worn by A-list Hollywood celebrities, including Emma Stone, 2024 and 2017 Academy Award winner for “Best Actress” in “Poor Things” and “La La Land,” respectively. The “O’Malley” frame was worn in the film “American Psycho” by Christian Bale, playing character Patrick Bateman.
Another popular line of Oliver Peoples frames is the “Cary Grant Collection”, inspired by suave actor Cary Grant in the movie North by Northwest. Grant was a frequent guest in the Chairman’s Box at Dodger Stadium.