Cool shop: Bacodes

By Jane Kent, November 4, 2013

Oh, the nuisance of not having 20/20 vision. Booked-up optometrists, costly frames, waiting for your new pair to be sent away and made – buying glasses can be tedious and expensive.

Utilizing new technology and an unconventional business model, Bacodes owner Ken Lowe wants to make this an easier, affordable and possibly even enjoyable task. Adopting the methods used by stores like Zara and H&M, all stages of design, manufacturing and marketing are done in-house. Adding to this, Lowe employs revolutionary 3-D printers, which he believes are the key to being able to make frequently changing, on-trend eyewear. Having just one precious pair of glasses is “an outdated approach,” according to the Aussie.

For customers, this high-tech, streamlined system means one-stop shopping for glasses; an abundance of choice without the punch-in-the-stomach price tags. The total cost of a pair typically comes in around RMB299 to 799.

Stores have the latest testing equipment and licensed optometrists are on hand. After you purchase frames, the eye exam is free and done immediately.

“Choose your frames, choose the lenses and then do the eye exam here,” Lowe says. “Go have a coffee and when you come back, they are ready.”

Bacodes currently has nine series, all using ultra-thin lenses which are scratchproof, UV-coated and heatproof. The shape differs by series, ranging from cat’s eye to 80s wayfarers, Jackie Os to ironically nerdy heavy rims.

Most models are flexible and super light, several weighing as little as 5 grams. Some are stunningly bendable – these are sunglasses that will survive after you've sat on them.

There are some very fun patterns here, too, with funky tribal designs, stars and stripes, neon or animal prints to try out. These will be seasonal, Lowe explains, with 500 new options in the works. JK

// 1) No. 1018, B1, Dynasty Plaza, Jiaochang Xi Lu, Guangzhou 广州市越秀区较场西路地王广场B1-1018 (020-8364 1001)

2) 5/F, China Plaza, Zhongshan San Lu, Guangzhou (020-8383 1051) 广州市中山三路33号中华广场5楼

3) No. 1001, B1, PoPark, 63 Linhe Zhong Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (020-3809 6006) 广州市天河区林和中路63号东方宝泰购物广场B1-1001

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