Reduce, Re-use, Recycle: Avbana Small Batch Sunglasses
Tango Diva recently interviewed Mark D. Hrycenko, Founder and Owner of Avbana small batch sunglasses.
We have gone to great lengths to maintain an ethical and community minded approach to our products. In addition to our made in California sunglasses, accessories such as cases and even cleaning clothes are made in the USA. Sadly, I think this type of focus on ethics is becoming increasingly unusual…
Our small batch local production mentality helps to reduce our environmental impact in addition to supporting local North American economies. We would rather make less of something in a better way than mass produce in places of questionable employment standards, environmental policy, and production quality.
Who: My name is Mark D. Hrycenko and I founded “avbana small batch sunglasses” (Avbana Projects Inc.) in December 2013.
At the time, I began to notice that everything in my closet, pocket, and house was mass produced in parts of the world with questionable employment standards, environmental policy, and production quality. This became increasingly bothersome to me and I eventually began to actively seek out products produced in an ethical manner. To me, this meant products produced in parts of the world with acceptable employment standards, non exploitive wages, and some type of active environmental policy.
Sunglasses were one item that I found particularly difficult to find in meeting my criteria. Of course, ethically produced sunglasses did exist but this type of business ethos was not widespread in the eyewear industry. It is this shortcoming that pushed me into choosing sunglasses and creating an eyewear company with a primary focus on ethical standards.
Regarding the small batch or limited production business model there are many reasons for this. The company and product is a very specific vision – when kept to a smaller scale we are not bound by the needs and influence of others. We want our sunglasses to be something special and unique. Our customers will know that they have something different from the masses. Many of our customers will surely be attracted to our business ethos and their support is a statement of personal values. In keeping to a niche market, we can produce our vision of what sunglasses should be. Furthermore, limited production helps to minimize our environmental impact
What: The company is currently solely focused on sunglasses and at this time there is no plan to expand into other product lines. Simply stated, we want to do one thing very well instead of many things average.
Our typical customer is likely to be a forward thinking individual with a strong focus on ethics. Someone who is not content with being ordinary and prefers to express their personal values through the products they choose to support.
The launch price is to be approximately $160USD which obviously reflects the challenges and costs associated with local ethical production of not only the sunglasses but also accessories including cases and cleaning clothes.
When: At the moment the first batch is complete and we are simply waiting on the cases and cleaning clothes which are of course being manufactured in the USA. Assuming all goes well the intention is to run several batches per annum with an increasing selection of colour combinations. At the moment, only 50 units of each colour combination are produced every production run. This is not to say that any given colour combination will not be produced again in the next batch, it simply means that each run will have a finite output and availability will always be somewhat limited. I think this allows us to evolve our product and brand, remain current, and always offer a surprise in regards to what will be available next.
Where: At the moment sales will primarily be via our website. Due to our small batch philosophy, there are a limited number of units to go around and we will never be a staple in storefronts everywhere. In saying this, we have been in discussions with several physical retailers who share our business values and it is likely a limited number of units will be available in select stores. Some online retailers and brands have also expressed interest in selling our sunglasses via their websites and we are in advanced discussions with them as well.
Social media wise, we are only active on Instagram (@avbanasun). I think the single social media outlet fits our business model well and falls into our less is more mentality. There is of course our website (www.avbana.com) as well which is now being fine-tuned for launch.
Why: I think consumers are offered a limited number of ethical alternatives these days, particularly when it comes to everyday products. After focusing much of my own energy in finding these types of products, I decided to contribute myself to the ethics based movement.
Throughout my life, I have always been passionate about being different, unique, and ethically minded. I never want to be unoriginal and I never want to be like the next guy. This business is an opportunity to incorporate these values into something tangible and offer likeminded individuals an outlet to express their own personal values. In my opinion, we offer a unique well made product that speaks to a passionate niche market. Our business ethos reflects my personal ethos and our small size allows us freedom from normal corporate pressures and influence. People who choose to purchase our sunglasses will know that they are supporting local North American economies while expressing community minded values. I think avbana small batch sunglasses offers something different from the masses and I am very much encouraged by community interest to date.
How: Our current batch of sunglasses were more than 50% handmade in an eco-friendly and efficient California manufacturing facility. This in addition to our small batch production mentality helps to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible. There is really nothing out of the norm in respect to recycling or up-cycling.
We’re planning for launch in April, albeit towards the very end of the month. Please keep me updated and it is possible we may be able to coordinate something.
Some specific benefits of the “model 02” by “avbana small batch sunglasses” include:
- *Exclusive frame design (not a rebrand of an existing design)
- *Italian acetate
- *More than 50% handmade in eco-friendly and efficient California manufacturing facility
- *5 barrel OBE German hinges
- *Laminated nose pads in matching material as temples
- *Matte face (except fully polished black model) and hand polished perimeter
- *Polarized lenses
- *Laminated comfort temple tip for additional thickness and weight
- *Cases handmade by artisan in California, USA
- *Cleaning cloths made in USA
