In its early days, Carrera specialised in sports sunglasses which were geared towards use when taking part in winter sports including skiing and ski jumping. The brand also manufactured sports goggles and specialised sunglasses for motor racing. The sunglasses and goggles were primarily designed to provide maximum eye and face protection and enhance visual quality.

When Carrera’s international headquarters moved to Traun in Austria in 1974, the company was renamed to Carrera International. It was there that they partnered up with Ferdinand Porsche and began designing and manufacturing the Carrera Porsche Design sunglasses collection. During the 1980’s Carrera International progressed and their popularity increased due to a high level of brand awareness and also because they sponsored many high profile sporting events such as Formula 1 Racing, The Americas Cup and the Winter Olympics in 1988 which significantly helped to put the Carrera name on the map. The brand also spent much time researching and launching the Carrera Eyewear range for prescription glasses, which were officially launched in 1981.

In 1996 the Carrera brand was bought by Italian fashion house Safilo who are the largest supplier of sunglasses in the world and whose brands included the likes of Hugo Boss, Gucci, Dior, Armani, and Valentino. To be placed in retail stores alongside these renowned and prominent brands really helped to also place Carrera within that highly fashionable and sought after market segment.

After being purchased by Safilo, the company decided to split into two divisions; sports sunglasses and lifestyle sunglasses. The sports sunglasses were a continuation of the sunglasses and goggles that the brand was already producing and famous for, but it was the introduction of the lifestyle sunglasses that really escalated the Carrera brand and made it what it is today. The lifestyle Carrera sunglasses are very much popular in the fashion industry with the designs taking inspiration from retro styling from the 1960’s through to the 1980’s. The Carrera brand is now associated with many celebrities with stars including R&B singer Usher, Paris Hilton, Taylor Lautner, Kanye West and David Beckham to name only a few regularly seen wearing sunglasses by the Carrera brand. Due to the attractive colour tones used in many Carrera designs, they are also a huge hit at the summer music festivals and on the clubbing scene.

Carrera sunglasses are definitely one of the most fashion-forward of all of the sunglasses brands and can be described as retro in style with funky and contemporary edges. With the majority of the collection being unisex, Carrera sunglasses look equally fantastic on guys and girls and have that edgy appeal that is also regarded as super trendy and therefore often seen on a number of high profile celebrities who love the laid back and sporty but sharp look of Carrera sunglasses. The aesthetic style of Carrera sunglasses are highly retro inspired with oversized aviator frames for example in addition to visor styles that have more definition and shape than that of typical visor sunglasses and therefore perfectly achieve the balance between sporty and fashionable. The factor that also distinguishes Carrera sunglasses from others is the vibrant and sporty colours that are integrated into the designs including red and white, hot pink, purple and blue in addition to classic black and white. The use of bold colour allows you to easily create an overstated look and the more subtle colour options within the Carrera collection also creates an effortlessly stylish finish to your ensemble whilst still looking ultra striking! The distinctive Carrera logo is also typically featured on the arms of most designs. 

Carrera sunglasses definitely make an effective style statement and should be worn with confidence and attitude! The brand is geared towards the theme of striving to be the best but the use of retro design fused with contemporary injections also means that Carrera sunglasses are fun to wear and really add depth and personality to your look.