blinc
blinc is a Tokyo eyewear business that grew out of Araoka Eyeglasses, an optical shop established in 1940. It runs eyewear stores in Minato-ku, including blinc vase, and creates original frames alongside curated eyewear.
| Origin | Araoka Eyeglasses, established 1940 |
|---|---|
| Base | Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Stores | blinc vase, blinc base |
| Category | Eyewear |
| Website | blinc.co.jp |
What is blinc?
blinc is a Japanese eyewear retailer and label based in Tokyo. Its stores, blinc vase in Gaienmae, Minami-Aoyama, and blinc base in Kita-Aoyama, are both located in Minato-ku.
History
The business has its roots in Araoka Eyeglasses, an optical shop established in 1940. Its founder, Hidekichi Araoka, was known for his love of the browline style of glasses, a heritage that blinc has drawn on in its own designs.
Products and positioning
Alongside curated eyewear, blinc develops original models. One example is the sunglasses model Elder_ARAOKAGANKYO, released in limited quantities in 2018, which featured:
- Yellowish, aged-looking acetate frames from Takiron Roland
- Smoked green or brown lenses
- A logo inside the temples designed by Rikako Nagashima
- Product design by Kimikazu Futamata
blinc vase has also worked on collaboration eyewear with other Japanese labels such as ayame.
Why it matters
blinc illustrates how Japanese optical retailers with long family histories have evolved into design-led eyewear destinations, combining heritage stories with original frames and collaborations.
Frequently asked questions
Where is blinc eyewear from?
blinc is a Tokyo eyewear business with stores in the Aoyama area of Minato-ku.
What is the history of blinc?
blinc grew out of Araoka Eyeglasses, an optical shop established in 1940.