FROM OUR ORIGINS TO TODAY
OUR ORIGINS
BORN OF LOVE FOR RACING 1956
Austrian eyewear maker and pioneer Wilhelm Anger decided to rename his Company from ‘Wilhelm Anger Werker’ to ‘Carrera’, drawing inspiration from Carrera Panamericana. This open road racing event that ran in Mexico in the early 1950s is widely considered one of the most dangerous car races in the world.
Despite the dangers and risks involved in this over 2000-mile race, it soon became an irresistible attraction for drivers and car enthusiasts worldwide. The adrenaline rush, great passion for racing and desire to push the boundaries that characterized Panamericana are the inspirations behind Anger’s choice in 1956 and the distinctive traits of Carrera still today.
THE WORLD OF SKIING
FIRST CARRERA ICONS 1970
Sport has always been about pushing the limits.
Carrera became the undisputed star of winter sports, with the brand’s ski goggles and helmets providing athletes with superior protection.
At the same time, the innovative design of Carrera ski goggles and helmets turned into an immediately recognizable icon globally and they soon became increasingly sought after by athletes worldwide.
COLLABORATION WITH PORSCHE DESIGN
AT THE FOREFRONT OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY 1976
A shared passion for design, a performance-driven approach and the ability to combine style with technology. These are just a few of the reasons that, along with the great friendship between the two brands’ founders Wilhelm Anger and Ferdinand Porsche, pushed Porsche Design and Carrera to start a fruitful collaboration in 1976.
Thanks to this collaboration, Porsche Design entered the eyewear industry with a collection by Carrera featuring glasses that are still considered style icons.
Carrera Porsche Design 5620 was born.
This new futuristic shield design generated a lot of buzz and attracted great interest.
The style enjoyed immediate success and was soon chosen and donned by the all-time greatest rock stars, becoming a symbol of boldness and elegance.
CARRERA PORSCHE DESIGN 5621/23
1976
The two brands’ shared innovative vision gave life to a new breakthrough product: Carrera Porsche Design 5621/23.
One of the first-ever interchangeable lens sunglasses.
In case of changing light conditions, you could now easily swap lens colors in a snap.
CARRERA ENDURANCE
THE BEGINNING OF A REVOLUTION
1979
A revolution in the world of eyewear: for the first time ever, the logo was featured in the middle of the front. The iconic Carrera “C” was born.
With this choice, Carrera broke the golden rules in the eyewear industry, which called for a clean-cut and understated front design, and created the signature detail that from then on would identify the brand.
The brand’s sports heritage was interpreted as a decorative striped pattern on the temples.
This versatile style was greatly appreciated for its shape, starring in cult TV series of the time.
CARRERA SAFARI
THE FORM OF SUCCESS
1981
An unmistakable design: its unique shape is a synthesis of the proportions of ski goggles, translated into a pair of sunglasses.
The graphic on the sides and a colored line running along the upper front profile speak of Carrera’s sports DNA.
The ‘C’ that stands out in the middle of the front is a signature design element that is inextricably associated with Carrera and a symbol of a brand that has the unique ability to blend together the world of racing with the world of fashion.
CARRERA & NIKI LAUDA
TWO LEGENDS MEET
1985
A celebration of our urge to always push the boundaries.
Carrera chose the famous Austrian F1 world champ as the face of the brand: a man who defied the limits, achieving his goals with determination and never giving up.
Just like Carrera’s DNA.
Materials and shapes are the quintessence of a sporty attitude, taken to the next level by transposing the adrenaline rush of the world of racing to everyday life, blending style with performance.
CARRERA CHAMPION
SIMPLY ICONIC
1987
The most iconic Carrera design and the most-donned style by actors, athletes, music stars and celebrities worldwide.
The classic teardrop shape is interpreted by Carrera with bold volumes and distinctive details, for an unmistakable aesthetic. The signature 'C', proudly featured in the middle of the front, is a key element of the brand’s distinctiveness, which is all about character, a desire to express your personality and stand out from the crowd--from people who are afraid to dare.
Three angular lines enliven the temples in the logo area, conveying that dynamism and speed that are the utmost expression of competition, and of self-confidence and that have characterized the brand since 1956.
BOEING COLLECTION
ADVANCED FLIGHT TECH EYEWEAR
1989
An unprecedented record in the world of collaborations.
The world of collabs, the way it is today, was still at least 20 years away, but Carrera already saw the big picture, launching the first-ever collab collection in collaboration with the largest aircraft manufacturer of the time. Carrera and Boeing joined forces to create a groundbreaking range of optical frames and sunglasses: Carrera’s Boeing collection.
A shock absorber integrated into the temple and working thanks to a bearing ensures outstanding flexibility and enriches the design with a touch of color: the bearing itself is partially visible, standing out with its typical red color.
To complement the design, nose pads with a 70° rotating capability guarantee maximum comfort and a perfect anatomical fit, as required by pilots.
SUNJET BY CARRERA
THE POP ERA
1990
Sunjet, a brand born in the 1970s under the umbrella of Carrera, found its utmost expression in the 1990s, drawing inspiration from Pop culture and the latest trends of the time. Colorful and playful thanks to their signature contrasts and a touch irreverent, Sunjet glasses recall 1990s street culture, featuring graphics inspired by the graffiti that dominate city walls worldwide.
A STYLE ICON FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO EXPRESS THEIR PERSONALITY
Carrera is synonymous with pioneering design and outstanding quality. A statement brand for people who live by their own rules, continuously defying themselves and proudly approaching life standing out from the crowd.
