Carrera, a name synonymous with pioneering design and quality in the eyewear industry, has been pushing boundaries since its inception in 1956. With its roots in sports and Italian style, the brand has carved out a distinct position in the market, offering a blend of innovative technology and style that appeals to adventurous individuals who like to stand out from the crowd.
The brand’s story began when Austrian eyewear maker Wilhelm Anger renamed his company Carrera, drawing inspiration from the Carrera Panamericana, a challenging border-to-border sedan rally racing event between Mexico and the United States. Anger’s choice reflected his brand’s ethos of pushing limits in pursuit of performance.
Even today, Carrera’s designs are rooted in its sports heritage, with many styles reminiscent of ski goggles – a nod to the brand’s origins. This unique approach blends the worlds of racing and fashion, resulting in eyewear that is both functional and stylish.
An Innovative Spirit
Since its inception, Carrera has been focussed on innovation. Mr Anger himself led the development and patenting of ‘Optyl’, a material 20% lighter than traditional acetate. This breakthrough not only improved comfort but also reduced allergic reactions, contributing significantly to the brand’s success.
One of Carrera’s most recognisable features is the placement of its trademark in the middle of the frame front. This bold move, which at the time of introduction broke industry norms of understated design, created a signature detail that has become integral to the brand’s identity. Another signature feature is Carrera’s ever-present flag detail, a reflection of the brand’s sports heritage, recalling the lines and colours of car races.
Collections and Target Market
While traditionally perceived as a male or unisex brand, Carrera has always appealed to a broad demographic and wide-ranging age group and over the years, has starred in cult television shows world-wide. Recently, Carrera launched a dedicated women’s collection, featuring designs tailored to feminine face shapes and style preferences.
Today, Carrera offers five distinct collections, catering to various tastes from refined to bold and sporty styles. This range allows optometrists and dispensers to meet diverse customer needs within a single brand offering.
Future Directions
Carrera eyewear is owned by Safilo and designed in Italy by a talented team of designers who are focussed on combining stylistic, technical, and industrial innovation with quality craftsmanship.
With a continued focus on market needs and trends, the brand continues to evolve, as evidenced by recent expansions such as the Carrera Woman range and the introduction of Carrera Authentic prescription lenses.
The brand has also collaborated with legendary Australian cricketer Pat Cummins, who has been described by the company as “much more than just one of Australia’s greatest sportspeople” and someone who “embodies the Carrera spirit of continuously defying themselves and proudly approaching life standing out from the crowd”.
With an impressive career in international cricket that has seen him rise to the top of the sport, Carrera believes Cummins is a perfect match for its contemporary lifestyle and sport attitude.
For optometrists and optical dispensers, Carrera offers a brand story with a rich history, innovative designs, and a commitment to quality. Its range of styles and recent expansions provide opportunities to build your practice by catering to a wide array of customer preferences for style and performance.
Contact Safilo: (AUS) 1800 252 016.
