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Stories

J.F. Rey


Fabrice Albert

Words Marc Renton

02/09/2025

Founded in Marseille J.F. Rey stands for a bold, creative, and free-spirited vision of eyewear, blending artisanal craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation and strong stylistic choices, like its distinctive and colourful frames. Fabrice Albert, General Director, tells us how J.F. Rey has grown through its unique identity in the market

How J.F. Rey is celebrating his 40 years Anniversary? 
This year, we’re proudly marking 40 years of daring design and creative freedom. To celebrate this major milestone, we’ve staying true to our "Beyond Limits" philosophy. Our teams have poured their passion and worked hardon the new collection, including exclusive previews and a special anniversary series that traces our creative journey, all to be unveiled at Silmo. The highlight of this celebration? An exceptional evening party during the Silmo fair in Paris: a fully immersive and unforgettable moment where we’ll showcase some of our most innovative designs to date. More than just a look back, this is a bold declaration of our vision for the years ahead.

Which model is the most iconic and representative of J.F. Rey? 
Our Sledge Series is arguably the most emblematic expression of J.F. Rey’s identity and design direction. It encapsulates the brand’s ongoing commitment to innovation, structure-driven design, and construction and material experimentation, while boldly asserting its independence from conventional eyewear trends. This concept revisits those early industrial roots while incorporating new textures, layered geometries, and bold chromatic contrasts, making the frame feel both timeless and of-the-moment. In this way, the essence isn’t lost. It’s reimagined. The archive serves as a creative springboard, not a constraint.

What are the milestones of your brand that you want to preserve?
Several key milestones define J.F. Rey’s DNA, and we’re committed to preserving them as the brand continues to evolve. First, our unwavering independence, which has shaped every creative decision since the beginning. Then, our bold, design-led approach that challenges conventions and explores structure, color, and material in unexpected ways. We also take pride in our roots in the world of artistic and architectural eyewear, a legacy that still guides us today. Finally, our commitment to craftsmanship and innovation remains at the heart of everything we do. These pillars have carried us through four decades, and they will continue to inspire the decades to come. 

What are, on the other side, new features you are developing in order to innovate and to adapt to the changing of the market? 
Undoubtedly our avant-garde style and “Beyond Limits” spirit! Innovation has always been at the heart of our brand, and today more than ever, we’re pushing boundaries to adapt to a constantly evolving market, while staying true to our DNA. We’re exploring new materials and hybrid constructions that allow for lighter, more flexible, and sustainable frames without compromising on design. Above all, we remain deeply committed to combining craftsmanship with forward-thinking design to stay ahead of the curve, and surprise at each collection. This commitment to innovation also extends to our production model: by acquiring the historic CEMO factory in France (Jura region), we are bringing manufacturing closer to home, preserving local craftsmanship, and reinforcing our ambition for a more sustainable and responsible industry.

Which novelties you’ll present at Silmo? 
For this Silmo edition, J.F. Rey celebrates its creative legacy with a bold, innovative collection that pushes the boundaries of color, structure, and materials. Key highlights include advancements in the Carbon Core and Sledge technologies —two of our signature collections —and the innovative fusion of ultra-light metals with acetates, combining sustainability, comfort, and durability. Iconic shapes continue to evolve with organic, sculptural lines enriched by modern geometric influences and a forward-looking vision, complemented by unexpected color palettes such as metallic hues and gradients. Our anniversary collection perfectly embodies J.F. Rey’s pioneering spirit and ongoing commitment to blending aesthetics with cutting-edge technology for a discerning clientele. We’re also preparing a very limited drop... but for now, we’re keeping it under wraps. All we can say: it’s worth the wait!

What’s your strategy of development in the new markets and which countries are giving you the most satisfaction? 
Our development strategy is tailored to each global region. In the Americas, we are strengthening our organizational structure to support long-term growth. In Europe, we are particularly proud of our performance in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), where we’ve achieved strong double-digit growth for over three years. As for Asia-Pacific, we have great ambitions: we’re reinforcing our already strong presence in Japan and investing significantly in the development of a strategic partnership in China. Each region presents different dynamics, and we’re committed to adapting locally while staying true to our global identity.

JF 3090 (Sledge Series)

JF 3090 (Sledge Series)

JF 3082 (carbon core collection)

JF 3082 (carbon core collection)

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