Linkskin- world's first eco-friendly spectacle frames!

Every one of us can contribute to the efforts of saving the planet with the things we do everyday. Companies alike are playing their roles in their daily operations in order to be socially responsible for their products.

Recently it has come to our attention that the first eco-friendly range of spectacle frames by Linkskin has been produced. At first glance, it was a little unbelievable that contemporary frames that are both stylish and light-weight can be fabricated using recycled materials. But they are, from the frames to the spectacle cases! Using only recycled plastics and stainless steels from old spectacles, the frames are not only “green”, they are designed to be comfortable, durable and versatile. And they are available in a variety of different shapes and colors!

Every pair of frame is engineered to function in the absent of screws while the temples of the frame are joined to the frame front by a patented buckle-lock system that also secures the lenses. The temples have an unique spring design that is worth mentioning. Unlike other spring temple frames, the effect of the spring lasts for the lifespan of the frame so there are no worries that the spring will break or the temples need to be readjusted as a result of daily wear and tear. They also ensure that the spectacles sit snuggly on your face with maximum comfort.

Linkskin has won several awards both for it designs as well as for its contribution towards sustainable development. It has also been accredited with the Green Label in Singapore and applications to other eco label certifications in Japan and Germany are in progress.

** Images provided by Nanyang Optical.

Unique frame designs that function beyond practicality!

Traditional spectacle frame essentially consists of a frame front that holds the lenses and is joined together to the temples by screws. In recent years, advancements in technology and product designs have made possible the fabrication of unique frames that function beyond practicality.

VO was introduced to four such interesting brands recently! We were both intrigued and impressed by how cleverly the designers of these brands successfully married advanced technologies with innovative designs.

The concept used in the art of paper origami is clearly visible in the designs under Urband. Borrowing from the idea of the traditional Japanese art (whose goal is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and patterns) designers of this brand created the frame front through the bending of a piece of sheet metal, resulting in a frame design that is uniquely modern, simple yet durable. Innovation does not simply stop there. We were informed that the frame is constructed without soldering, screws or hinges. While the conventional frame uses screws at the temple hinges to attach the temples to the frame front, Urband uses a patented S-clip system to accomplish the same task and with more elegance. With the S-clip, the frame can be easily assembled or dismantled without using any special tools and the lenses are firmly secured. Urband has already won several awards, both locally and internally.






Colours, and lots of colours is what you would find in frames from Glossi! Apart from being light weight, durable and comfortable to wear, the designers of this series of frames seem determined to provide wearers a chance to celebrate everyday living with vibrant and glossy colours! A special feature we have to point out is that the frame front is joined to the top bar at both frame-ends by stitch concept (patent pending) using nylon string and not screws or pins. This soft connection allows more flexibility.





The world’s first soft-lock system using nylon string to lock the lenses within the rims of the frame is found in spectacles by Eyelet. The system replaces the conventional frame with screws and makes it easy to lock and unlock the lenses. It also helps to minimize the chipping of the lenses which are common with sheet metal frame front fitting. Wearers of rimless frames will find it easy to adopt Eyelet.





Another world’s first is found in this frame below by Linkskin. While the common highlight of frames by this brand is that they are made primarily from recycled materials (details will be featured in a separate article), it is the design of this particular frame that caught our attention! Notice how ingeniously the designers utilized stitches to decorate and enliven the frame!

Drop us a mail should you be keen to know more about these products!

** images provided by Nanyang Optical.

VO has pledged to donate a portion of their profit for charitable undertakings!

The three partners of VO has pledged on the 25th of August to set aside at least 10% of their profit for charitable undertakings! We know it won't be an astronomical amount but it should be a good start!

VO is now Rudy Project authorised dealer!

We are now the authorised dealer for Rudy Project! We will be offering the full range of Rudy Project products (sunglasses, prescription frames, helments, visors, apparels, bags.. etc) with at least 10% discount off retail price. Drop us an email to arrange for an obligation-free viewing session!

We have additional discounts for some older models. So write to us and we hope to surprise you with a good offer!

Before we put the product images in VO's website, here's Rudy Project homepage once again: http://www.rudyproject.com

Duanneng and her Levi's sunnies!

Duanneng in her Levi's Ladies sunnies! The gradual brown tint goes well with her hair and the swarovski-crystals (on the temples) glitter no end!

VO Vision Care Article, No. 1- Frame Materials.

We will be starting a series of articles to provide information on vision care. May they be useful to some! The first article we are featuring concerns frame materials.


Types of Frame Materials

When choosing a pair of spectacle frame or sunglasses, are you influenced by the type of material the frame is made of and are you aware of the benefits and shortcomings associated with these materials?

Metal and plastic are the two predominantly types of materials used in the manufacturing of frames. In general, metal frames are lighter in weight and they keep their adjustments better than plastic frames. Plastics frames, on the other hand, being thicker and more rigid can offer a more dramatic and stylish look. The wide range of colours being offered, together with interesting designs and intricate details frequently seen on the broad temples of designer eyewear, make plastic frames ever popular. Most designer eyewear are available in these two materials or the combination of both. There is a third type of frame material that is more exotic and is derived from nature. More details can be found in the rest of the article.


Metal Frames
Metal frames can be made of different types of metals, but the most common ones are made out of nickel silver, although increasingly materials such as titanium and stainless steel are being used. For tropical countries like Singapore, nickel silver may not be the ideal material of choice as high humidity causes the frame to tarnish easily. Also, nickel silver frames are susceptible to corrosion when they are exposed to perspiration. Skin that comes into contact with the corroded portion can experience skin sensitivity (common symptoms will include redness of the skin) and in a more serious case, an allergic skin rash may develop. Approximation 10% of the general population experiences nickel-related allergies.






Another metal frame material that is worthy of a mention is titanium. Currently, titanium represents about 25% of the eyewear market in the United States. This metal, apart from being light and biocompatible, possesses excellent strength, corrosion resistant and flexibility. Titanium frames are also hypoallergenic. Pure titanium frames (>90% Ti by weight) are very expensive. As such, it is common to find titanium alloy frames in the market. Beta titanium is an alloy of titanium, aluminum (added to make the frame light), and vanadium (for hardness). The primary benefit of beta titanium is the enhanced mechanical flexibility that allows the fabrication of very thin frame. Memory metal frames are alloys of nickel and titanium. These frames have extraordinary elasticity and can retain their shape superbly well. As they are less likely to break, they are excellent choice for children and active people.

Plastic Frames
Most plastic frames, sometimes known as shell frame, are machine manufactured while the more exquisite ones are being hand-made. Almost all plastic materials used can be softened with heat for the purpose of lens insertions and adjustments. Most plastic frames do not come with nosepads which fit individuals with high nose bridge very well. However, for Asians who tend to have flatter nose bridge and flared noses, these frames may not fit comfortably as inadequate support can result in the frame slipping down the nose.

Plastic frames are mainly made of cellulose acetate which can come in many colors and shapes. Frames made of this material are durable and they can be designed to offer high transparency as well as deep gloss. They also feel more natural than some other types of synthetic materials and thus retained their popularity as a material of choice.

There are more exotic plastic frame materials that include nylon and propionate but we are going to just mention about two others here- polyamide and epoxy.

Polyamides are synthetic plastics approved for use by the FDA. The material has the necessary properties to be made into frames that are extremely light-weight and flexible while at the same time retain their shape very well. Frames made from these materials possess very good breakage-, scratch- and chemical-resistance, hence, making them a good choice with individuals who have sensitive or/and allergic skin conditions. Such material forms the core technology in Swissflex’s range of eyewear.

Epoxy frames (more commonly known as “memory plastics”), like their memory metal frames counterpart, are strong and has the ability to return to their original shape after being deformed. As such, they offer the advantage that the frame does not require to be re-adjusted as frequently as some other types.


Natural Materials
Materials derived from buffalo horns and turtle shells are occasionally still being used, even though this has become less common as conservation of these animals gained momentum. The demand for these frame materials arises on the principle of exclusivity- no two pieces are identical. They offer the individual the opportunity of owning a “signature” piece and as each piece is hand-crafted they command a very high price. Since these materials are derived from nature, they are extraordinarily kind to the skin. Buffalo horn and turtle shell frames are also light-weight and they offer great wearing comfort. Some even believe that they offer some medicinal benefits!

Kwanghui and his Tag Heur!

Here's Kwanghui and his Tag Heur!

Kwanghui's job nature requires him to travel widely and frequently around Asia meeting business associates. This pair of frameless Tag Heur help project a clean sophisticated image! So does the pink tie! Ha! :P

Andrew with his Oakley Tumbler!

Andrew in his olive tortoise Oakley Tumbler!








Andrew and his wife, Mitsuko, have done something very brave of late. They have quitted their high-paying jobs to set up a boutique offering unique Japanese products that aimed to make everyday living more comfortable, stylish and pleasant. Their boutique will open in 61 days time in Mandarin Gallery! Check them out here.

VO Ishihara Colour Blindness Test!

Check this out guys! What do you see?

How to identify the model no. of a pair of sunglasses?

We received enquiries from friends asking how can they identify the model number of a pair of sunglasses. This post seeked to address that.

In general, the model number and other specifications of a pair of spectacles/sunglasses can be found on the temples of the frames. The model no. usually follows this format- two to three alphabets followed by four or five digits. The alphabets are normally abbreviation for the brand. The image below shows an example for a pair of prescription frames by Levi's Ladies Style- LSL6009. When you order with us, we just need this info. to know what you are looking for (also the colour of cos!).

Other information of the frame can also be found on the temples, such as the colour of the frame (sometimes given in codes like 1,2 or 3), the dimension of the eye size and the length of the nose bridge. Sometimes, the material of the frame is also indicated. You will be clear after seeing the two images below!

The presentation of these specifications vary among brands (they could all be found on one temple for a particular brand). But you should be smart enough to have them figured out! Here's another example!