Sunglasses are one of our favorite accessories; in fact, sunglasses create more than $34 billion in revenue worldwide. In America, sunglasses started to become popular about 80 years ago in the 1930’s, when actors and actresses began wearing them to shield their eyes from harsh lights in the studio. Since then, sunglasses have become status symbols, fashion statements, protective health aids, and an essential summertime accessory. According to Crowdfund Insider, there are a bunch of cool new sunglasses projects looking for funding on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Here are a few:
Orion4Sight
What’s distinctive about Orion4Sight is the type of lens they use, which boast crisp clarity, image contrast, and color saturation. These were modeled after the patented ORION Optical Eyewear filters that Navy Seals wear. The frames are designed for both sexes and wrap around the face to block unfiltered light (read: UV rays) from reaching the eye.
Arrow Project Sunglasses
The Arrow Project is perhaps the most sustainable of these three, since the frames are constructed completely from bamboo, which is a fast growing material. The sunglass lenses are polarized, which protect the eyes from UV rays best. Since bamboo is durable, these are unlikely to break. The frames are also unique to each wearer because no two pieces of bamboo are exactly the same.
Sets
Sets are a uniquely customizeable brand of sunglasses. The frames are constructed in a way that allows the owner to change the side arms to create any color combination they want. Furthermore, since every 14 seconds, someone in America breaks, loses, or sits on their sunglasses, Sets allows for easier replacement of broken pieces (though the frames are pretty durable). Furthermore, with the availability of replacement sunglass lenses, the possibilities are pretty much endless.
Sunglass replacement lenses come in just about as many different colors, types, and tints as Sets’ frames and arms, which means that you can create the exact pair of sunglasses you want. In tune with Arrow Project’s green sensibility, sunglass lens replacement is also a less wasteful option than throwing out a whole pair of sunglasses because of scratched up frames.
Replacement lenses can be cut to fit any of the above sunglasses, as well as designer brands like Ray Bans, Foster, and Oakleys. Have you heard of any new cool sunglasses? Let us know in the comments. Get more info here.
