In a move that’s sure to catch the eye of sports enthusiasts and fashion-forward patients alike, Australian cricket sensation Pat Cummins has partnered with Italian eyewear brand Carrera to launch an exclusive co-branded collection.
The collaboration, which was launched at an event in Bondi, Sydney on 14 October, marks a significant milestone in Cummins’ relationship with the brand.
The Carrera|Pat Cummins collection features six bespoke styles – three sunglasses and three optical frames – each bearing the hallmarks of Cummins’ sporting prowess and Carrera’s renowned craftsmanship.
“I am thrilled to partner with Carrera, a brand that shares my passion for excellence,” Cummins said. “After a successful year as the brand’s ambassador, I am really proud to have my own Carrera|Pat Cummins Collection, which is a true reflection of our shared perspective to be bold and stand out from the crowd.”
From Cricket Pitch to Eyewear Design
With the summer cricket season fast approaching, Cummins – the Australian Cricket Test and One Day International Captain – is gearing up for a busy schedule. “We’ve got a pretty massive summer coming up. Five test matches against India are probably the highlight, and some ODIs (one day international games) against Pakistan,” he told an attentive audience at the launch of his new eyewear collection.
Despite his commitment to international cricket, Cummins found time to venture into the world of eyewear design and said he found it “awesome”.
“Growing up as a young aspiring cricketer, I never would’ve thought of it… as a kid, I probably wasn’t the coolest. I used to wear cricket training gear around to every event. So now, working with some clever designers and Carrera on my own collection… it’s pretty awesome.”
From Ambassador to Co-designer
The collection is a testament to Cummins’ evolving role, from brand ambassador to co-designer.
As a brand ambassador, Cummins said his role was more about “choosing his favourite selection” and he found himself “in similar shapes a lot of the time”. However, in co-designing his own collection, he’s had the chance to explore his own creativity and fashion sense – “something I didn’t really know I had”.
Growing up as a young aspiring cricketer, I never would’ve thought of it… working with some clever designers and Carrera on my own collection… it’s pretty awesome
The Carrera|Cummins collection fuses his favourite Carrera styles with Cummin’s own “personal twist” and a distinctly Australian flair. Each piece showcases an exclusive new green colourway, inspired by the iconic Australian green and gold, complemented by Cummins’ signature printed in gold, a feature of the collection he said he’s “still trying to get used to”.
“I’ve never really done anything similar… but speaking to some really clever designers, particularly over in Italy working on the collection, was amazing. It blew me away… I’ve loved coming up with this collection that I will wear every single day,” he said.
The Line-Up: Sunglasses and Optical Frames
The sunglasses range includes:
1. Victory C 03/S/PAT: Made in Italy, featuring a flat topline and high-quality graduated polarised lens.
2. Grand Prix 2/PAT: A bestseller reimagined, crafted from double-layered acetate with gradient polarised lenses.
3. Carrera 303/S/PAT: A special-edition style with a slightly octagonal shape, double bridge, and Ultrapolar lenses for enhanced colour and clarity.
The optical offerings comprise:
1. Carrera 308/PAT: A sophisticated square shape with metal trim and iconic fin temples.
2. Carrera 331/PAT: Features notable proportions and a metal ‘C’ detail placed horizontally.
3. Carrera 8061/CS/PAT: An innovative design with dual-injection polyamide technology and a polarised clip-on sun lens.
When asked about his favourite within the new collection, Cummins pointed out the Carrera 303/S model.
Carrera 303SPAT
“I think these are probably my go-tos in the summer… like the old aviator style but a little bit smaller.”
Pat also highlighted the 8061/CS, a contemporary optical frame with a convenient clip-on attachment. As someone who values practicality, Cummins expressed enthusiasm for the “ultra-thin magnetised clip-on feature,” sharing with the audience that his dad wears them too—and “loves them.”
Additionally, he said the sun lens is “amazing”.
“I travel all over the world (and) the lens is great. Comfort’s a big one for me… so the frames of the optical are spot on”.
It blew me away… I’ve loved coming up with this collection that I will wear every single day
Winning Partnership for Practice Growth
For optical practices, the Carrera|Pat Cummins Selection presents an opportunity to attract a diverse clientele that is interested in eyewear with a unique story to tell. The collection’s blend of sport attitude and contemporary lifestyle is likely to resonate with patients who appreciate high-quality eyewear with a competitive edge.
The Carrera|Pat Cummins Selection is now available to be ordered from Safilo (AUS) 1800 252 016.
