About SATO | An explanation of the designer, the origin of the name, and the features of Japanese-made frames

SATO is an eyewear brand born in Paris, France, in 2022. It transforms bold designs inspired by 1990s fashion and culture into reality through the meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese artisans. Its signature features include compact lenses, three-dimensional bridges, translucent acetate, and metal parts detailed with fine ornamentation.

The brand is the creation of founder Kevin Godart-Elbaz and Japanese designer Eque. The vision of a brand born in France is supported by Japanese design and manufacturing technology. Here, we introduce the background and product characteristics of the brand, from the origin of its name to its approach to materials.

01Parisian Founding and Japanese Designer Eque

SATO was established by Kevin Godart-Elbaz. With experience in eyewear retail, he launched his own brand in 2022, combining a French brand identity with a manufacturing base in Japan.

The design is led by Japanese designer Eque. Eque is known for his eponymous label "Eque.M" and was also a founder of "Frency & Mercury," which began in 2005.

Eque gained experience in the eyewear industry in Orange County, California. Inspired by surfing, local culture, and the colors and forms of nature, he returned to Japan to establish his own brand. As a designer, he has always viewed eyewear—which defines the impression of a face—as a vital element of fashion.

At SATO, his work extends far beyond the shape of the frame. He incorporates intricate designs into the temple cores, hinges, and temple tips, creating points of interest when viewed from both the front and the profile.

Eque's background: Eque.M Official Profile

02The Two Meanings Behind the Name SATO

The name SATO carries a dual significance: the Japanese surname "Sato" and the French phrase "Sans Art, le Talent est Oublié" (Without art, talent is forgotten).

"Sato" serves as a tribute to the Japanese artisans who support the manufacturing process. The French phrase—the acronym for which spells S-A-T-O—represents the brand's philosophy of valuing both the honing of technical skills and the creation of unique forms.

031990s Free-Thinking, Refined into Precision

The starting point for SATO's design is the aesthetic of the 1990s. While grounded in neat, classic shapes, the designs incorporate unconventional colors and balances.

For instance, pairing a small, horizontally elongated oval with a wide bridge, or fitting pale blue lenses into a muted red frame. Combining delicate metal silhouettes with high-presence hinges—by creating variance in shape, color, and part sizing, personality is born even in familiar eyewear forms.

Another pillar is architectural lines and structure. By varying the thickness of the frames, the areas around the lenses and the bridges are constructed three-dimensionally. Metal frames that appear clean from the front reveal depth and intricate component assembly when viewed from different angles.

There is also meticulous attention paid to decoration. Grooved lines running along the temples, small diamond-shaped studs on the front, and motifs on the tips—SATO’s design ethos is to refine forms down to the details that one only notices upon closer inspection, rather than relying on prominent branding.

Brand concept: SATO Official About Us

04Manufacturing in Fukui and Finishes that Leverage Materials

SATO frames are produced by artisans in Fukui, Japan. Utilizing Japanese acetate and titanium, they craft everything from the structural form of the front to the details of the metal parts.

The Thickness and Translucency of Japanese Acetate

For acetate models, the gloss of the polished surface and the colors visible through the material play a vital role. Some models, like GIENNA, feature different colors for the front and temples, while others, like ALTAIR, combine deep red with metal components.

In translucent temples, the metal core running inside becomes part of the aesthetic. While the core is fundamentally a structural support, SATO applies decorative fine lines to it as well. It is an approach that treats structural elements as visible details to be finished with care.

Combining Titanium with Resin Inserts

Some titanium models feature Takiron resin inserts built into the inside of the rims surrounding the lenses. This structure adds a ring of resin between the metal frame and the lens; olive is used for NAOS, and dark blue for ALGEDI-T.

The feature here is the addition of resin’s color and thickness to the thin lines of the metal alone. Differences in finishes—antique-style, matte, or brushed—also alter how the metal appears. The brushed finish leaves fine grain lines on the surface, creating a calm reflection distinct from mirror-like gloss.

Limited Production with Individual Serial Numbers

SATO releases its collections in limited quantities, with each piece featuring a serial number. The production limits vary by model—for instance, 350 for GIENNA and 400 for ATRIA. The brand's policy is reflected not just in materials and design, but in the scale of production.

Manufacturing & Specifications: SATO Official Craftsmanship / GIENNA / ATRIA

05SATO Products in Close-Up

GIENNA | Core Wire with Ornaments Visible Through Transparent Temples

GIENNA col.SP-1 combines a muted green front with pale yellow transparent temples. The shape retains a straight line at the top while being rounded at the bottom. The diamond-shaped ornaments at both ends of the front serve as accents to the thick silhouette.

Viewed from the side, a golden core wire runs along the inside of the temple. In close-up, you can see that numerous fine lines have been engraved onto the surface of the core. It is a piece where even the internal design is clearly visible precisely because of the light-colored material.

The olive gradient lens is a color scheme that connects naturally from the green front. The front, temples, and lenses are not matched in a single solid color; rather, they are composed by varying transparency and brightness.

ALTAIR | Compact Oval and Metal Hinges

ALTAIR col.RC/P-1 is a horizontally elongated oval with a lens width of 42mm, pairing deep red acetate with pale blue lenses. The balance features a wide center bridge relative to the small lenses, creating a sense of space on either side of the front.

The point to note is the connection between the front and the temples. A polished metal part is inserted between the acetate, adding gloss to the sides. The area around the lenses retains a plump thickness, while the contour is tapered at the joint. That transition in shape accentuates the roundness of the oval.

NAOS / ALGEDI-T | Structure Built into a Small Silhouette

NAOS col.AB/O-1 is a compact round frame with a 40mm lens width, combining antique bronze titanium with olive-colored inserts.

Viewed from the back, the positional relationship between the rim surrounding the lens, the center bridge, and the independent nose pads is clear. A defining characteristic is that the front is not treated as a flat, single piece; instead, each component is assembled with varying front-to-back depth.

ALGEDI-T col.BB/B-1 is a model featuring rounded lenses enclosed in black titanium and dark blue inserts. Even within the same black, there are matte surfaces and brushed surfaces, creating a tactile difference depending on how light hits it.

Looking at the temple tips, fine lines are also present on the widened metal section. This detail combines a shape that flares slightly from the slim temple with surface texturing. Even if a frame appears understated from the front, you can feel the density of the details when holding it in your hands.

The appeal of SATO lies in its striking silhouettes and the precision seen up close. By focusing not only on colors and lens shapes but also on the bridges, core wires, hinges, and temple tips, one can appreciate the ingenuity packed into every single frame.