Jonathan Sceats

Jonathan Sceats revolutionised eyewear design with his architectural approach, creating sunglasses that blurred the line between fashion accessory and wearable art. Trained as an architect in his native New Zealand, Sceats brought a radical geometric sensibility to eyewear that caught the attention of fashion's elite. His frames became synonymous with the bold, experimental spirit of 1980s and 90s fashion, worn by artists, musicians, and style pioneers who refused to blend in.

Each Jonathan Sceats frame is a testament to uncompromising design vision, characterised by dramatic angles, innovative construction, and an unmistakable sculptural presence. These aren't just sunglasses; they're collectible design objects that have earned their place in fashion history.

Vintage Jonathan Sceats frames from the 1980s and 90s represent a pivotal moment in Australian design history. When Jonathan Sceats launched his eponymous label, he was doing the opposite of what everyone expected - experimenting with daring colour combinations, bold acetate patterns, and oversized proportions that optometrists initially deemed "too unusual." It wasn't until Vogue featured his work that demand exploded, catapulting Jonathan Sceats to become Australia's number one eyewear brand, selling over one million frames.

What makes these vintage pieces particularly collectible is their connection to 1980s Sydney's creative explosion. Sceats was embedded in the city's radical art scene, hanging out at venues like Stranded and Cabaret Conspiracy alongside fashion designers, filmmakers, and artists. This cultural milieu, combined with Sydney's beach culture and the influence of Pop Art, resulted in frames that captured a uniquely Australian aesthetic: vibrant, bold, and unapologetically individual.

Original Jonathan Sceats frames were handmade in Australia with meticulous attention to comfort, fit, and quality - principles instilled by his father, one of Australia's pioneering optometrists. The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney holds a permanent collection of his groundbreaking early work, cementing these frames as genuine design artefacts. As Sceats' work is now celebrated in the Design Institute of Australia's Hall of Fame, original vintage pieces from his revolutionary period have become increasingly rare and sought-after by collectors who appreciate eyewear with authentic design provenance and cultural significance.

Jonathan Sceats frames from the 1980s and 1990s represent Australian eyewear design at its most architecturally ambitious. This Sydney-based designer approached frames as wearable sculpture, creating bold geometric forms that pushed the boundaries of what eyewear could be. Sceats understood that glasses could serve as powerful personal statements—architectural elements for the face that demonstrated confidence and individuality. The substantial constructions, dramatic shapes, and sophisticated colour applications weren't excess but intention, reflecting a distinctly Australian design confidence that rejected European restraint in favour of bold expression. Collectors prize Jonathan Sceats pieces for their sculptural presence, the particular design language that emerged from Australia's 1980s creative renaissance, and the fearless approach to form that distinguished Sceats from conservative international competitors. As Australian design history gains recognition, Jonathan Sceats frames document a pivotal moment when Australian makers established their own aesthetic vocabulary rather than following European trends.