The Mutton is in love. No, not with a member of the opposite sex, but with a pair of sunglasses. And though this may sound strange, consider this: it’s not every day that you find something that was so perfect when it was designed that it has remained unchanged to this day? But that’s what we have at Oliver Goldsmith — not the Anglo-Irish writer, but the British eyewear firm founded by Philip Oliver Goldsmith in 1926.

This summer’s sunglasses seem to be retro styles with transparent or semi-transparent frames — see everyone from Ralph Lauren to Alexander McQueen and then marvel that Oliver Goldsmith was playing with sunglasses’ frames 70 years ago.

The founder’s son, Charles, joined the firm in 1935. He built on his dad’s belief that specs were uncomfortable and uninspiring — made from heavy metal or expensive tortoiseshell. Goldsmith developed plastic frames, and his son introduced the idea of sunglasses. Charles saw that they could be a fashion item. He called them “sunspecs” and the first two customers, Fortnum & Mason and Simpsons of Piccadilly sold out.

Since then Oliver Goldsmith has become synonymous with beautiful, bold and fashionable sunglasses. The brand has been worn by style icons such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, John Lennon and Michael Caine. The Ipcress File features them, as does Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the visitor’s book from the firm’s Portland Street showroom you can still see the signatures of Peter Sellers and Ursula Andress. When London was swinging, Oliver Goldsmith swung with it.

Indeed, in 1970, this newspaper said that OG arguably transformed specs from utility tools into fashion statements: “ Oliver Goldsmith is to sunglasses what Vidal Sassoon is to hair and Mary Quant to clothes.”

Today you’ll find Goldsmiths in Notting Hill Gate, London, and in selected retailers all over the world. Run by the great granddaughter of the founder, Claire Goldsmith, the company still serves celebs (Gwynnie and Robbie, for example) and makes a range of off-the-peg sunglasses using original designs from 1958-1980. It will also make you a bespoke pair from the archive.

What a great way to celebrate summer. I told you it was love.

The Mutton

olivergoldsmith.com, 15 All Saints Road, London W11; 08450 533440