Bananaphobia Impacts Work of Iconic Cat-Eye Designer

The Woman Who Defied Her Fears to Create Fashion History

Sona Hal
3 min readAug 4, 2023
Google Doodle to mark Altina Schinasi’s 116th Birthday

Introduction

Altina Schinasi was a talented artist and designer who made her mark on the fashion world with her iconic “cat-eye” eyeglass frame. However, there was one thing about Schinasi, which was a bit strange: She was afraid of bananas.

Schinasi’s work was inspired by a wide range of sources, including Native American, African, and modernist art. She was a true original, and her work continues to inspire amaze people around the world.

Altina Schinasi working

Schinasi was born in Manhattan, New York in 1907. She showed an early aptitude for art, and after graduating from high school, she moved to Paris to study painting. In Paris, she met and collaborated with some of the leading artists of the day including Salvador Dalí and George Grosz.

In 1930, Schinasi returned to New York and began working as a window dresser for several major department stores. She quickly became known for her innovative and eye-catching window displays, which often featured her artwork. In 1937, she designed an iconic “cat-eye” eyeglass frame, which became a worldwide sensation.

Schinasi’s creative talent is not limited to fashion. She also produced several documentary films, including “George Grosz’ Interregnum’ (1960), which won first prize at the Venice Film Festival. She was also a talented sculptor, jewelry, and textile designer.

Bananaphobia

Bananaphobia Artwork

Schinasi’s fear of bananas was a lifelong phobia that she never fully understood. In an interview with The Cut, Schinasi said that she has had this fear since she was a child. She doesn’t know why she’s afraid of bananas, but she says that just the sight of one makes her feel sick. She even avoids products that contain banana extract, such as banana bread.

Her fear of bananas was so severe that she once had to cancel the photo shoot because there were bananas on the set. She also said that she must be careful when eating out because she is afraid that she might accidentally order something that contains bananas.

Of course, not everyone finds Schinasi’s fear of bananas to be weird. Some people think it’s kind of funny, and they even give her the nickname “The Banana Queen.” But for Schinasi, her fear is a real and serious issue. She says that it’s something that she has to live with, and she’s hoping that one day she’ll be able to overcome it.

Altina Schinasi, Washington, D.C., circa 1979

At the end, Altina Schinasi was a maverick who broke the mold, both in her work and in her personal life. Her fear of bananas was an endearing quirk that only served to make her more fascinating. She was a force to be reckoned with, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

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Sona Hal
Sona Hal

Written by Sona Hal

‘The planets whirl in my dreams. The stars press against my window. I rotate in my sleep. My bed is a warm planet.’🪐

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