Four Years of Giant Vintage – Hundreds of Shades of Success
February 27, 2024, marks four years since Annabelle Gonzalez and her mother, Alisa Gonzalez, took over Giant Vintage. In those four short years, the brand has seen massive success. From expanding its collection to always staying on top of sunglasses trends to being spotted on numerous fashion icons from Bella Hadid to Beyoncé, it’s clear that Giant Vintage is here to stay.
So, let’s celebrate Giant Vintage's fourth anniversary by taking a stylish trip down memory lane to see what (and who) made this brand an it-girl (and boy!) go-to choice for vintage glasses.
Giant Vintage: Four Years of Love, Style, and Dedication
Giant Vintage was initially founded in 2004, inspired by the belief that all women and men should have access to unique and never-before-seen styles. Now, you might be doing the math in your head and wondering how exactly the brand is celebrating its fourth anniversary.
You see, 2020 was when the inspiring mother-daughter duo Alisa and Annabelle Gonzalez took over the brand. That’s also when Giant Vintage became what it is today – a powerhouse in the vintage eyewear industry and beyond.
But what makes Giant Vintage so special, allowing it to grow as much in just four years? Keep reading to find out.
Every Style Has a Story: Beyond the Sunglasses Trends
Annabelle, the brand’s CEO, has loved fashion from an early age, allowing her to enter the industry straight out of high school. She’s also always had a keen eye for vintage fashion (thanks to her aunt). This is what inspired her to take over Giant Vintage in the first place.
Annabelle has seen firsthand how much the right piece of clothing and accessories can boost a person’s confidence from the moment they put them on.
That’s why Annabelle only looks for styles with character when curating the Giant Vintage’s collection. It’s not about jumping on every possible trend; it’s about telling a story.
Go Unique or Go Home
In the world of fast fashion, the same-old outfits and designers, and trends that flip from season to season, everything has been seen or done. But Annabelle’s quest for authenticity and individualism has managed to propel Giant Vintage beyond the mundane.
Most glasses offered by the brand are “true vintage,” meaning they’ve been manufactured over 20 years ago yet never worn. Getting your hands on one of these pieces is like owning a slice of fashion history. Best of all?
These pieces are extremely limited in quantity, so you can rest assured you’ll stand out in the crowd of mass-produced sunglasses.
Customer Satisfaction as a Priority
There’s a reason why so many customers have stuck with Giant Vintage for years – they’re at the center of everything Annabelle and her mother do. It's with customers in mind that Annabelle chooses new styles, unearths unique finds, and maintains the highest quality standards.
That’s why anyone can find their next favorite sunglasses at Giant Vintage. From timeless styles like aviator sunglasses to modern twists of the ever-so-popular wrap-around sunglasses or thin wire frames, Giant Vintage caters to virtually everyone. This also includes all face shapes, sizes, and styles.
If Annabelle can’t find a specific deadstock vintage frame her customers want, she’ll simply re-make it. You can find these gorgeous styles labeled as “vintage-inspired.”
Giant Vintage Stars
It doesn’t get better than gaining recognition for all your hard work (and impeccable taste!). However, when such recognition comes from some of the biggest names in fashion, it makes it extra special. All the stars seen wearing Giant Vintage eyeglasses and sunnies are a testament to the brand’s unparalleled quality and influence within the eyewear industry.
Here are some of the gorgeous fashionistas seen sporting Giant Vintage glasses in these four years.
Beyoncé and Blue Ivy: Cat-Eyes and Oversized Frames
That’s right, both parts of the iconic mother-daughter duo are fans of Giant Vintage. Queen B opted for a sleek and sexy pair of CAROLINA cat-eye sunglasses in purple.
However, her rightful successor on stage, Blue Ivy, has gone for a more dramatic effect. She was seen donning the fabulous ZIPPER sunglasses on her mother’s (and, let’s be honest, her) Renaissance world tour.
These oversized sunglasses have become a staple of the brand these four years, so it isn’t surprising Queen B Junior chose these iconic shades for her outfit.
Justin and Hailey Bieber: Oval Frames and Tinted Lenses
Another dynamic duo, in and out the fashion world, Justin and Hailey Bieber, have also been spotted with Giant Vintage sunglasses on quite a few occasions.
Justin’s fave is the sporty SPITE sunglasses, while Hailey can’t seem to choose.
For her signature “model-off-duty” look, KIPPER is the obvious choice (alternatively, SLIM round frames). At the same time, a beauty campaign for her brand calls for something more glamorous, which is how she ended up wearing the PROTECTION sunnies.
Bella Hadid: Rectangular Frames for the Win
As the certified "It girl" of the fashion industry, Bella Hadid often dictates trends, and sunglasses trends are no different.
Her style of choice, in Giant Vintage and beyond, are slim, rectangular frames as seen on the CHUPA SMOKE and SLATZ styles. The rest of Bella’s crew also adores a similar silhouette, so you can often spot these frames on the likes of Kendall Jenner.
Reneé Rapp: '70s Brilliance
Everyone’s obsessed with Reneé Rapp, and for good reason.
The talented actress is as hilarious as she is beautiful and is currently wowing the world with her voice as Regina George in the 2024 “Mean Girls” musical. One of the things she’s taking with her on this marvelous journey is a pair of luxurious FILLMORE sunglasses.
Reneé was pictured with these stunning sunglasses with gold lenses in a recent Vanity Fair interview. The message is clear – get in, loser, we’re going Giant Vintage shopping!
Chloe Bailey: Pink Frames Extravaganza
Giant Vintage has featured numerous colorful shades throughout its history, but the BUCK UP! model has a special place in our hearts.
The same seemingly applies to Chloe Bailey, as these rectangular sunglasses with slightly thicker frames were her glasses of choice for a fun pink-filled photo shoot. These sunglasses suit her face shape beautifully, just like another pair she likes to wear – TONER.
Paris Hilton: Oversized Sunglasses Love Story
Giant Vintage’s eyewear collection features numerous gorgeous pieces from the early 2000s. So, who’s better suited to wear this brand than the one and only Paris Hilton? And wore it she did, being spotted with Giant Vintage sunglasses like BOOM on several occasions.
However, the ZIPPER sunglasses she paired with her 2023 Halloween costume from the iconic “Toxic” video might just be our faves.
Here’s to Many More
If the first four years of Giant Vintage are any indicator, the brand is in for many more years of industry domination. Visit our website, shop the unique styles, and embrace your individuality to join us on this style and fun-filled journey.