Why Wood Sunglasses?
Ballo launched in July 2013 after 6 months spent on research and development of our wooden eyewear frames. The idea that we could produce a more organic, environmental material than the plastic and metal frames that are common in the eyewear market.
We were looking for the most sustainable and durable combination of materials that could be sourced locally. After hundreds of prototypes, the combination we launched with was: wood veneer offcuts (sourced from FSC certified local furniture manufacturers), bio-resin (40% tree sap) and recycled paper. We then fitted the frames with spring loaded hinges and the highest quality CR39 lenses. These frames could also be fit with prescription lenses, which was another goal at the outset.
The production process for these wood frames has been refined over the years and involves 23 processes which are all done by hand in our Cape Town workshop.
