ovenia, the host country of Eurobasket, presented French basketball star Tony Parker with wooden glasses manufactured especially for him by the young design group Wood Stock.
In the framework of promotional activities organised for the European Basketball Championships by the Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and related to the promotion of the 'I Feel Slovenia' brand, a special event took place at the friendly match between Slovenia and France. On behalf of Slovenia, Parker was handed the glasses by Slovenian basketball player and Parker's former team mate Rašo Nesterović. The glasses are a unique recycled product made of old wood. Wood is a great natural asset of Slovenia and traditionally present in almost every Slovenian home. This led to the idea of a unique and original present that links the tradition and modernity in the spirit of the Slovenian national brand, and reflects Slovenia's boutique character and handicraft.
As more than two thirds of Slovenia is covered by forests, green is the predominant colour. We like to call it 'Slovenian green', and it tells a story about unspoilt nature and our desire to keep it in such condition. Slovenia ranks third in Europe by the share of wooded areas; to put it simply, forests grow almost everywhere.
Slovenians are closely connected with sport. Our story is also a story of sport – exercise fills us with vigour and gives us the energy necessary for recreational and professional goals. We excel at sports. We ski and climb where no one has before; we swim and cycle for longer distances than anyone else. We not only overcome natural laws and limits: we discover and extend them. Slovenia radiates a special sport energy because its people are constantly in motion and in touch with nature. Sport is a part of Slovenian identity and an indispensable element of the Slovenian brand and its green colour.
The green at the core of the national brand 'I feel Slovenia' has a particular place in the hearts of Slovenians – it reflects the balance between nature and society and the assiduity of Slovenians. The Slovenian green also characterizes the Slovenian people's orientation to the elements, that is, to what can be felt in their hands. The diverse landscape has marked a rich natural and cultural tradition, giving rise to the creativity of its people and inspiring different artists. Last but not least, the memory of Slovenia combines the scent of the forest, the murmur of the brook, the remarkable taste of its water and the softness of wood. We feel Slovenia.
Why wooden glasses?
The answer is self-evident: wood is the most important Slovenian natural asset traditionally related to Slovenian creativity. Wood has never been merely a building and heating material; it represents the warmth of home and a material for creativity. Throughout the centuries, the linden crown and leaf has reflected the Slovenian national identity. The linden tree has been and remains a vital symbol of Slovenia. Wild cherry is another tree with a long history and tradition. Each Slovenian owns a wooden kitchenware item, a toy or another traditional wooden product. This led to the idea of a unique and original present that links the tradition and modernity in the spirit of the Slovenian national brand, and reflects Slovenia's boutique character expressed in handmade items.
Wood Stock, a young design group, made the wooden glasses for Tony Parker from cherry and linden wood; they are almost entirely hand made. The new model of glasses developed for Tony Parker will be manufactured in only nine exclusive copies: two will be kept by the company, five will be sold at auctions, and one will be reserved for a presentation on a special opportunity. The glasses have the 'I feel Slovenia' logo and the basketball star's signature 'branded' on the inner side of the temples. The package is a unique product of its own, too. It resembles a wooden house and is made of wild cherry wood, in fact of a discarded old chest.
Who are Wood Stock?
Wood Stock is a group of young and creative people with a vision of an authentic Slovenian product. They are aware of the distinctiveness of Slovenian wood. Wood Stock believe that the future of entrepreneurship lies not in companies in pursuit of fast profits made by selling mass-produced goods, but in companies focused on quality and environment-friendly sustainable products.
From the idea to the product
The story of the wooden glasses began with the wish of Jaka Jančič, the Wood Stock company founder. He wanted to have wooden glasses with all his heart, but the price made them inaccessible. He decided to make a pair himself. This was followed by experiments in his garage where the first pair of glasses was made with primitive tools. After two years of testing and development, Wood Stock can now proudly present their high-quality and perfected product.
About the product
Wood Stock glasses are hand made from different sorts of wood and can also be customised. The glasses are also made from different old wooden objects (wardrobes, barrels etc.) that are no longer functional. Thus, we can talk about 'upcycling', which produces new objects with higher functional value by recycling old products. Each pair of glasses is protected by coatings of citrus oils and beeswax, which are natural and environmentally friendly. The lenses used are of the highest quality.
Polona Prešeren, SINFO
