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# Upcycled Skateboard Eyewear
Sk8Shades Produces Hand-Made Eyewear in a Garage in South Africa

By Jen Chae | Published 2013-05-30 | Updated 2013-06-03 | Eco
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handmade-eyewear
References: [etsy](http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sk8Shades) & [vimeo](http://vimeo.com/52797132)

Completely handmade eyewear by Sk8Shades is the story of one of South Africa's best skateboard ramp builders, Dave De Witt. Being around skateboards all the time in sunny environments, an ingenious idea came to him -- to craft [UV-protected, polarized sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heavy-tropix-sport) out of old skateboards. What differentiates Sk8Shades is the fact that all sunglasses are hand crafted in Dave's garage in South Africa.

Skateboards are guaranteed strength and durability as they are high-performance, which is why they make for practical [sunglass frames](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/framery). The frames comes in different textures; the rustic, scratched-up look from the bottom of the board, or the fresh wood for a cleaner look. The dirty frame is an intriguing design since it carries with it the scratches of a board's previous life. These glasses are not only [environmentally conscious](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/material-matters-collection), but also a huge fashion statement, especially among skateboarders.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 3.4/10
- Popularity: 35% | Activity: 58% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America, Europe, Africa

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)

## Key Themes

### What's Driving This Trend

- **Upcycling Fashion:** Companies can explore creating fashionable products from old materials, like Sk8Shades' upcycled skateboard eyewear.
- **Handmade Products:** By embracing artisan craftsmanship, businesses can create unique products like Sk8Shades' handmade sunglasses.
- **Sustainable Fashion:** By using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes, companies can produce stylish products like Sk8Shades' sustainable sunglasses.

### Who This Affects Most

- **Eyewear Industry:** There is an opportunity to create unique, eco-friendly eyewear products like Sk8Shades' upcycled sunglasses within the eyewear industry.
- **Fashion Industry:** The fashion industry can explore upcycling and sustainability in their designs, like Sk8Shades' sustainable skateboard eyewear.
- **Artisanal Manufacturing:** Sk8Shades' handmade sunglasses demonstrate an opportunity for artisanal manufacturing within the fashion and accessories industry.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Recycled Cyclist Sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vallon-watchtowers-cycling-sunglasses.md)
- [Recycled Material Skateboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lander-skateboard.md)
- [Vintage-Inspired Wooden Sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delray-se-sunglasses.md)
- [Upcycled Skateboard Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-rpsd.md)
- [Transparent Crystal Sunglasses Frames](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-harwood-20.md)
- [Skateboarding-Inspired Wood Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-green-works.md)
- [High-Performance Stylish Sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heavy-tropix-sport.md)
- [70s-Style Sport Sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunski-strada.md)
- [Skateable Cardboard Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-chaos.md)