J.F. REY’s SAKURA brings the Japanese cherry blossom into eyewear through an openwork frame and an accompanying fragrance. Limited to 350 numbered pieces, this J.F. REY LAB creation pairs sculptural sunglasses with a bespoke cherry blossom eau de toilette by ROBERTET. The complete set brings the two French makers’ work together in a presentation box designed around the same inspiration.

The Japanese cherry blossom, interpreted in a frame

Sakura is the Japanese name for cherry blossoms. Their brief flowering marks spring and has become a familiar symbol of renewal and the passing of time. The tradition of hanami, or flower viewing, celebrates that moment by gathering beneath the blossoming trees. The Japan National Tourism Organization describes this connection between the flowers’ beauty and their fleeting season.

For SAKURA, J.F. REY takes the blossom’s form as a starting point. Curves spread around each lens like overlapping petals, with open spaces between them. The floral reference can be seen in the frame itself, while the campaign places it among pink blossoms against a clear blue sky.

A new experiment from J.F. REY LAB

J.F. REY is a French eyewear design house based in Marseille, with a creative history shaped by Jean-François Rey. Its studio explores the relationship between shape, color and construction, using materials and technical details as part of a frame’s visual identity. That approach can be seen elsewhere in the collection, including the SLEDGE hinge design.

J.F. REY LAB gives that experimentation a dedicated space. The brand describes it as a meeting of craftsmanship, innovation and advanced technologies. SAKURA extends the idea beyond the frame: one cherry-blossom inspiration becomes both a visible structure and a fragrance created specifically to accompany it.

Petal-like volume, a fine metal structure

SAKURA combines a fine metal structure with sculptural, 3D-printed rims. The rounded lenses sit within a larger floral outline, where several layers of curved lines create depth. The saturated pink-red rims contrast with the fine, warm metallic-colored bridge and temples.

The spaces between the petal-like curves are central to the design. They let the outline expand around the eyes while keeping its construction visible. Seen from the front, the repeated curves give the frame its flower-like character; from an angle, their layered form becomes easier to follow.

The lenses are Category 3 brown gradient polarized lenses with an inner anti-reflective coating. The edition is limited to 350 individually numbered pieces, making the number part of each frame’s identity.

ROBERTET translates the idea into fragrance

Founded in Grasse in 1850, ROBERTET works in fragrances, flavors and natural ingredients. Its expertise in natural raw materials and fragrance creation brings a different craft to the collaboration, connecting J.F. REY’s Marseille studio with the perfumery tradition of Grasse.

For SAKURA, ROBERTET created a bespoke Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette. This is a wearable fragrance, supplied in a separate 15 ml bottle with each frame. The press release describes an airy, powdery floral character with fruity notes. J.F. REY’s SAKURA presentation names cherry blossom, hibiscus, rose and jasmine alongside sandalwood, leather and tonka bean.

The fragrance gives the collaboration another way to express its floral theme. The bottle carries SAKURA’s design details, so the connection remains visible when the frame and fragrance are presented together.

The complete SAKURA set

Each set includes the SAKURA sunglasses, a custom-made case and the 15 ml ROBERTET eau de toilette, arranged in a special presentation box. The box draws on Japanese aesthetics and carries the blossom-inspired colors through the packaging.

For an optical team, the set offers several concrete details to introduce: the openwork petal shape, the combination of metal and printed rims, the numbered edition and the fragrance made for the project. Showing those elements together makes the collaboration easier to understand, from the frame’s construction to the full presentation.

Villa Eyewear represents J.F. REY in the United States. To discuss SAKURA for your store, ask Villa about the special edition.