Sàfilo Group presents its remastered Carrera New Champion sunglass, based on the original Champion style. The New Champion shape displays well-balanced proportions and a revisited snug fit. The front is slightly smaller with a sleeker profile and a lighter design, due to the newly reshaped double bridge and symmetrical proportions. Its material, however, remains unchanged. The new glasses are made from Sàfilo’s proprietary Optyl, a thermo-adjustable plastic material composed of epoxy resin, with unparalleled physical and chemical features giving the frames a lightweight feel, climatic adaptation, a shape-memory effect, as well as durability. The front in Optyl is complemented with steel temples, for a sporty look and a bold personality. Colorations and finishes veer toward a natural look, playing with subtlety and ranging from Havana to bronze and black, with tone-on-tone mirrored lenses. Using the original Champion model as a starting point, Carrera also introduces the New Panamerika, featuring the distinctive teardrop shape in a new, lighter version made entirely from steel; the teardrop-shaped injection-molded Carrera 96 combines steel temples with a sporty front characterized by a metal double bridge. With the New Champion family, Carrera improves on its history, merging the past with the present and revisiting this iconic model with new proportions, an ergonomic fit and a contemporary appeal.
—Patrisha Holly Zabrycki
PHILOSOPHY: “How many brands in the world can say ‘we own a shape’ without fear of contradiction?” says Nicola Bonaventura, artistic director of proprietary brands for Sàfilo Group. “Owning an iconic, original shape is a privilege reserved for only a few, of which, Carrera has earned this distinction. The product is at the heart of our Carrera global rebranding campaign in 2015, and the Champion sunglasses, which date back to 1979, along with the family of glasses inspired by it, has undergone an extensive ‘remastering’ process. Now, presented with new proportions, a perfect fit and a contemporary flair, Carrera rewrites and improves on its history, merging the past with the present while revisiting its iconic model.”
MARKETING: Merchandising materials include new Carrera POP elements, including mirrors, logo plaques, two- and four-place displays, one- and three-place product highlighters and product trays, as well as new in-store customization programs and window displays.
PRICE POINT: $$$$
CONTACT: For additional information, contact Sàfilo Group, (800) 631-1188;
website:
safilo.com
INSIGHT
Carrera’s history dates back to 1956, when Austrian sport eyewear maker Wilhelm Anger founded the brand, drawing inspiration from the “Carrera Panamericana” road race. Originally the brand produced motorcycle goggles and ski masks, but it soon broadened its product range to include ski helmets and then entered the fashion industry with its progressive collections of sunglasses and optical frames.
