Header: Gary van Wyk
The Rockpool sunglass range is a limited capsule collection by Ballo, designed in Cape Town by lead designer Alistair Barnes. Ballo, which was also responsible for manufacturing and distributing the collection, saw the final result win the 2026 Product Design award for Eco Design at the inaugural edition of the African International Design Awards (AIDA for short).
Maritime colours and architectural lines
The collection was completely inspired by tidal pools and the way light changes when reflected in water, stone, seaweed and marine life. Across eight bio-acetate frames, the colours move from deep ocean blues to warm amber tones, with brighter flashes of coral popping out of the layered acetate. These tones were named by rockpool expert Roushanna Gray from Veld and Sea.
The collection includes bold, architectural shapes as well as softer silhouettes with a vintage character, giving customers several fits and moods to choose from – all with a coastal vibe, however.
“These frames prove that responsible design doesn’t mean compromising on style.”
Ballo
Handmade with bio-acetate
All frames are handmade from plant-based bio-acetate, which uses renewable cotton and wood pulp instead of the classic plastic made from fossil fuels. Ballo describes the material as durable, adaptable and biodegradable, having allowed them to create “frames that feel good, last long and leave less behind“.
Each frame has three-rivet hinges for durability, adjustable temples with steel cores and UV400-rated CR39 mineral glass lenses, which have an anti-reflective coating on the inside. The frames are sold in custom magnetic boxes made from recycled paper, with recycled microfibre pouches.
A green company
Ballo is based in Woodstock, Cape Town, where its handmade production supports local craft jobs and its repair workshop helps keep frames in use for longer. Furthermore, through its “Buy One Give One” programme with the African Eye Institute, Ballo donates one frame to a South African schoolchild who needs reading glasses for every pair sold.
As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, the company gives one per cent of its revenue to local environmental NGOs. It also plants a tree with GreenPop for every online order shipped, which Ballo says offsets around 50 times the carbon from delivery and supports ecosystem restoration in the region.
Project information
Prizes: 2026 Product Design – Eco Design
Company: Ballo
Lead Designer: Alistair Barnes
Design Team: Beth Woodroffe
Location: Cape Town
