Ballo Story
Ballo's core principles are to operate in symbiosis with nature and to create employment.
Ballo is proudly BCorp Certified and a 1% for the Planet contributing member.
In 2024 Ballo started the BUY 1 GIVE 1 project. For every pair of Ballo you BUY (online and in stores) we will GIVE a frame to a schoolchild in need of glasses here in South Africa. We donate frames to the One School at a Time program in collaboration with the African Eye Institute. This program is a result of our founder's family eyesight journey. For the full story you can WATCH THE LAUNCH VIDEO or READ HERE
Since Ballo opened in Cape Town in 2013 we have only used recycled and renewable materials in our workshop. Wood offcuts, recycled paper, fabric offcuts, recycled plastic bottles and recycled cork. In 2024 Ballo launched a range of Plant Based Italian Mazzucchelli Acetate frames. Manufactured in China, this is the first range that we do not manufacture ourselves and hope to soon.
In South Africa, there is an extremely high level of unemployment. This leads to poverty, homelessness and crime. Making a pair of Ballo sunglasses uses a unique combination of 23 hand crafted processes. This means that to make more sunglasses, Ballo employs and empower more people.
We spread good vibes by partnering with and supporting causes we believe in. Here are some of the causes we have supported in the past and present: Environment 1% for the Planet & GreenPop, Gender Equality (1% of turnover donated to Women for Change & Langa For Men) and Education (supporters of SurfPop & Sentinel Ocean Alliance).
In South Africa, there is an extremely high level of unemployment. This leads to poverty, homelessness and crime. Making a pair of Ballo sunglasses uses a unique combination of 23 hand crafted processes. This means that to make more sunglasses, Ballo employs and empower more people.
We hope that every pair of Ballo communicates these principles to customers through the feeling of the product in their hands, the energy that surrounds the brand and the story that comes with every product.
Look good. Do good.
Our mission
is to put the planet before profit and help people see things differently.
Our Founder
Alistair Barnes founded Ballo in 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a designer and social entrepreneur with a focus on authenticity and honesty. He aims to build resilient systems that create employment and symbiosis with nature.
He is inspired by the raw beauty of Cape Town and spends time hiking, beaching and surfing with his family.
The name "Ballo" is a combination of Barnes and Gallo, Alistair's mother's maiden name.
Alistair is Ballo CEO and Creative Director. He runs the business day to day and does all product dev, design and branding.
UNSDGs
The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals have set forward an agenda for sustainable development.
After going through each of the goals, we have chosen a few that align with our company and sphere of influence we have in our environment and community.
We plan to continue to have a positive effect on these from design to production and through social responsibility.
In addition to Goal 5 (mentioned above) the goals and causes we support are as follows:
Goals 9 & 12 - Ballo
See Things Differently
At Ballo our entire ethos is to see things differently. We use old machines and pre-waste materials in innovative ways to make unique upcycled products. Always putting the planet first.
Then we try to communicate this to consumers in a way that might help them see and do things differently too.
Even if they don't buy our product, we hope that we can help individuals and industry be more responsible.
Goals 13 & 15 - Planet
Take Action
Since 2013 we have been planting a tree for every pair of Ballo we sell through our website. This is to help restore local forests and offset the carbon used in shipping (this makes our shipping carbon neutral).
Our tree planting partners are the wonderful team at GreenPop and we have planted over 2600 trees with them so far.
As mentioned earlier also a contributimng member to 1% For The Planet and the incredible network of intermational climate activists they support.
Goals 4 & 14 - Education
New Perspectives
We believe that the ultimate way to foster a love for the environment is through education and engagement.
To this end we support two local NGOs that opperate in this space- SurfPop & the Sentinel Ocean Alliance both offer education support and environmental engagement.
Morning classes and afternoon rockpool excursions, beach cleanups and surf lessons. Climate warriors in training...