Founded in 1956 by the well-renowned sports eyewear designer, Wilhelm Anger, Carrera was inspired by the Carrera Panamericana auto race — one of the most dangerous open-road, border-to-border races in Mexico.
After years working in the eyewear industry, Anger became disgruntled with the existing, heavy acetate he was having to work with and decided to come up with his own solution to this problem. A few years later, in 1964, he proudly patented Optyl — his signature material, weighing 20% less than previous acetate materials. Causing fewer allergic reactions and resulting in a more comfortable fit, the sporty Carrera sunglasses made from this new, cutting-edge material became a hit.
Spotted on many big celebrities both on- and off-screen, Carerra sunglasses are loved by the likes of Britney Spears, Sylvester Stallone, James Franco, Chris Hemsworth and many others. But what is it about these sunnies that makes them so popular? From the rich history of the brand to the advanced technology, comfortable materials and unique styles, it’s a combination of things that makes Carerra sunglasses stand out from the crowd.