News
Kyrgyzstan Trip 2025
Bishkek, 27.07.2025
We just returned from a distribution trip in Kyrgyzstan. We distributed ca. 2000 sunglasses to farmers, roadworkers and shepherds in the Tian Shan mountain range. We were joined by @theinspiredunemployed which will publish a documentary film about the trip soon. We noticed that eye diseases are widespread.
Nepal Trip 2025
Kathmandu, 01.04.2025
For the next three weeks, we will be in Nepal to do three things. First, together with the local Ek Ek Paila Foundation, we will organise a medical camp in Western Nepal to provide eye screenings and surgery to around 3,000 patients within three days. Second, we will travel through Mustang Valley to distribute around 2,500 sunglasses. Third, throughout the entire trip we are joined by documentary filmmaker Philipp Grieß and his support crew. The film will be broadcasted by German TV station ProSieben and syndicated internationally.
We are maintaining the News page again
Munich, 01.03.2025
We decided to bring out news section back to life. Here we will log all new partnerships, distribution trips, news articles and fundraising initiatives.
M Le Monde article - Link
Paris, 13.02.2024
The French national newspaper Le Monde wrote a story about our distribution trip in the Hunza Valley, North Pakistan. Interviewing our field photographer Cornelius Kaess and Co-Founder Niklas Huppmann, the article describes our mission and the environment we distribute in.
Photo exhibtion in Paris - Link
Paris, 25.01.2024
We are hosting a one month photo exhibition in Paris, featuring the great photographs our field photographers Cornelius Kaess and Sebastian Berthold have taken in Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan. From 25.01.2024-24.02.204 you can view displays of our project at the fabulous SHERIFF Gallery in 53 Rue de Turenne, right in the heart of the Parisian gallery district.
News Archive
We can ship again
Munich, 26.02.2021
After a year and a half of military disputes in Kashmir, strict import measures because of COVID-19 in India and hard winters, we finally are getting ready to send a full ship container to Kashmir. Thanks to Flexport for facilitating this journey.
shades frames & fashion donates 4000 sunglasses
Munich, 22.12.2021
Our long time partner shades frames & fashion contacted us again for another donation delivery. Beginning of January the founder Axel Parthesius will donate around 4.000 sunglasses and 500 gloves. Thank you very much!
shades frames & fashion donates 4000 sunglasses
Munich, 22.12.2021
Our long time partner shades frames & fashion contacted us again for another donation delivery. Beginning of January the founder Axel Parthesius will donate around 4.000 sunglasses and 500 gloves. Due to such generosity we are able to help 4.000 people. Thank you very much!
IEC Received
Ladakh, 01.10.2020
After months of waiting our partner LOFF has finally received an IEC code (Import Export Code India). This means that we can now ship goods straight to the Himalayas in bulk.
We have to be quick with the next shipment sitting in the port of Hamburg, before the Himalayan mountain roads get closed for the winter.
Missions Cancelled
Amsterdam, 22.06.2020
Because of COVID-19 we had to cancel our summer trips to Asia and the Arctic. We had planned a movie shoot together with director Gaia Milani in Ladakh, India for August. Because of the difficult situation all these plans were postponed.
If you want to do the job for us and have no issue travelling to the Himalayas, then please click and travel here
Everything on hold
Munich, 11.04.2020
Because of the Coronavirus we can’t bring any sunglasses anywhere. We also can’t plan any future trips. Everything is basically on hold right now. In the meantime Co-Founder Niklas started the global campaign COVAID AFRICA.
TEDxMunich
ARchive: Munich, 27.01.2015
Podcast with Lina Leitz
Munich, 28.03.2020
Highways to Ladakh still Closed
Leh, 09.03.2020
Due to the ongoing Himalayan winter all roads leading into Ladakh (our main hub in the Indian Himalayas) are still closed. This means our logistical chain is still interrupted until the highways are cleared. Then truck-loads of donated sunglasses can reach the mountains and can then be distributed.
Apollo Optik X Shades Of Love
Munich, 09.03.2020
One of Germany’s biggest glasses retailer Apollo Optik has decided to support us. CEO Dr. Jörg Ehmer, a fellow adventurer in the Himalayas, has decided to collect donations for Shades Of Love among Apollo employees. Additionally, we will be featured in the nationwide customer magazine. Thank you Jörg and all of Apollo!
SIXPACK RACING X Shades Of Love
Munich, 20.02.2020
German manufacturer for mountainbike components SIXPACK has decided to donate 300 merchandise sunglasses to us. Thanks guys!
Simone Le Grand
Switzerland, 19.02.2020
Simone Le Grand has become our first athlete ambassador! Simone is a veteran alpinist, splitboarder and adventurer. With mountaineering experience in the Himalayas and her deep understanding and extensive knowledge of the Himalayas she is a fitting representative of our adventurous mission. We are proud to have a strong woman as our first athlete ambassador. She will be undertaking future trips to help Shades Of Love. Visit her Instagram to see her incredible adventures and photos.
Hotel Tannerhof Support
Bayrischzell, 18.02.2020
The luxury nature hotel Tannerhof in Bayrischzell designed and put up a brand new collection box in their hotel to collect sunglasses and donations for people in need.
Thank you very much! If you are interested in a beautiful getaway in the Bavarian countryside close to Munich, come here.
The First Few Sunglass Treks Have Been Booked
Vienna, 11.02.2020
The first bookings for our special trip "trekking and good doing" with the trekking agency Gesar Travel are in. Come join us when we distribute sunglasses in Ladakh, at the same time come to the most remote corners and put a smile on the face.
www.gesar-travel.com/tours/shades-of-love-trekking-und-gutes-tun/
Featured by Leica Camera
Berlin, 10.02.2020
Leica is the most legendary camera manufacturer in the world. We have been honoured to be featured by them. Click here to read the interview with our Co-Founder Niklas Huppmann. With the beautiful photos of our field photographer Sebastian Berthold Leica got interested in our and his work. Thanks to Sebastian and Leica!
Shades Of Love at ISPO
Munich, 28.01.2020
Like every year we visited the ISPO again. The world’s largest extreme sport and outdoor trade show gives us the opportunity to meet our corporate supporters, like Patagonia, evoc and many others. We were also honoured to display our work in our own booth at the Brands for Good department. Thanks ISPO!
VIU Eyewear X Shades Of Love
Munich, 22.01.2020
With the ‘New Year New VIU’ campaign VIU eyewear supports Shades Of Love. When VIU customers give away their old sunglasses at any VIU store then they get 15% off on their new purchase
Podcast with UNICEF & University of Amsterdam Radio
Amsterdam, 14.01.2020
Shades Of Love at OPTI
Munich, 16.01.2020
Our Founder Jürgen Altmann visited the OPTI trade show in Munich. Together with our ophthalmology experts Konstantin Hahne and Eik Bruns he represented Shades Of Love at the world’ largest trade show for optics and eyewear.
Podcast with Swiss Re
Zurich, 10.01.2020
New Collection Site in Osnabrück
Osnabrück, 08.01.2020
Visual Eins has opened collection sites in all their doctors office in and around Osnabrück.
Visual Eins is a composite of 8 Ophthalmologist practices and a new partner of Shades Of Love.
Gesar Travel: The first Sunglass Trek
Leh, 11.12.2029
You are interested in distributing sunglasses for Shades Of Love in the Himalayas yourself?
Gesar Travel has partnered up with us and offers the world’s first ‘do-good-trek’ in Ladakh. You will be hiking through incredible landscape, meet unique indigenous people and do something to be proud of. Click here to learn more.
European Outdoor Film Tour X Shades Of Love
Munich, 12.11.2019
The European Outdoor Film Tour has made Shades Of Love their charity project this year. The Film Tour is Europe’s largest film festival series for Outdoor and Adventure movies. In cinemas, theatres and Congress halls across the whole continent they stream movies about freeskiing with a hot-air balloon and other crazy undertakings of athletes and travelers. Before every screening they show a trailer about Shades Of Love on the big screens. Read more in an interview with our co-founder Niklas Huppmann.
Exhibition in Berlin
Berlin, 04.11.2019
Yesterday we had the opening party of our photo exhibition in Berlin. We displayed the photos our field photographer Sebastian Berthold took on our last expedition to the Himalayas. Together with many guests we had an incredible time and after-party in the infamous ‘Prince Charles’ club.
Thanks to VIU Eyewear, TimeRide, Red Bull, Berliner Pilsener and Jägermeister for sponsoring this event.
Himalaya Summer Expedition 2019
New Delhi, 01.08.2019
We are starting a new distribution trip to the Himalayas. Given the extreme political circumstances between India and Pakistan we are extra careful, but we got clearance from the Indian military and are good to go. This time Niklas Huppmann is joined by photographer Sebastian Berthold. They will be distributing thousands of sunglasses in Ladakh.
Mister Spex X Shades Of Love
Hanover, 27.06.2019
You can now drop off your old sunglasses at all Mister Spex stores. For the International Day of Sunglasses everyone who gives away their shades at Mister Spex will get 20% off their new purchase. The offer goes until 31.07.2019.
Melon Optics X Shades Of Love
Canggu, 15.07.2019
“Melon has teamed up with eyewear charity Shades of Love (SOL) to bring free sunglasses to communities living at the top of the world! For every pair of sunglasses purchased we will provide a pair of our 100% UV protection Layback sunglasses for Shades Of Love to distribute to people who need eyesight protection in the Himalayas.”
Shades Of Love Party
Amsterdam, 23.06.2019, 14:00 - 03:00
Shades Of Love at Veronicaschip | Music by Samuel Deep, Reiss, Sanja, Children of Valis & Kreutziger
With part of our founding team now based in Amsterdam it is finally time to get to know you. Join us, donate, and let’s dance the sun away on an old sailing boat that we turn into a techno club. Entry: your old sunglasses and/or donate at the door! With a capacity of 1.000 people we are a Resident Advisor Pick and the place to be that day!
Artwork by Antonia Hentschel
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Shades Of Love Photo Exhibition by Gabriel Boulay
Lyon, 31.05.2019
Young French photographer Gabriel Boulay has raised over 3.500 € to travel to the Himalayas for Shades Of Love. He documented his journey and distributed sunglasses in the name of Shades Of Love. Now he is displaying his photos in a few different exhibition in and around Lyon, France.
Crowdfunding for Documentary Film
Verona, 16.05.2019
“Our goal is to fly to Ladakh in August 2019, with Jurgen, Niklas and a team of people with a medical background. Here, Shades of Love will establish educational camps in each village to teach the people how to prevent eye diseases, and beside that, it will sponsor the free eye surgery camps and distribute sunglasses to the communities.” - Gaia Milani / Documentary filmmaker
So far over 7.000€ have been raised.