Carrera x Pat Cummins: the collab continues
The partnership is reaching new depths, helping independent Australian optical gain edge in the retail business
A partnership built on commercial performance
Since becoming a Carrera ambassador in 2023, Pat Cummins, one of Australia’s leading cricket players and captain of the national team, has helped strengthen the brand’s presence in Australia through dedicated sun and optical collections.
Now in its third edition, the partnership continues to deliver strong results.According to David Pearson, Senior Director APAC at Safilo, the second collection launched in 2025 became the best-selling collection ever introduced by Safilo in the Australian market. Building on that success, the latest collection expands the range with new styles and a more distinctive identity.
“If the first collection was about establishing that Pat and Carrera genuinely fit, and the second, our best-selling new collection ever, proved the market agreed, this third collection is about depth: more styles, a bigger campaign behind it than we've ever run, and a design language that's now unmistakably its own rather than borrowed from either party.”
Supporting independent optical practices
The Pat Cummins partnership plays a key role in Carrera’s marketing strategy in Australia, helping drive visibility and traffic to independent optical practices.
Supported by a nationwide campaign across outdoor and digital channels, the initiative is complemented by a dedicated store locator and a range of retail support tools, including co-branded advertising, in-store displays and point-of-purchase materials.
“All of that traffic is designed to land on independent practices, not just flagship doors.”
“This is a first in the Australian market, putting one of Australia’s most recognised athletes in association with a local independent.”
A look at the new range
The latest Pat Cummins Selection spans seven styles across sunglasses and optical frames, blending performance-driven designs with versatile everyday options.
Signature details, including a limited-edition green colourway inspired by Australia's national colours, give the collection a distinctive identity while maintaining the Italian craftsmanship at the heart of Carrera.
"Pat’s models remain our top sellers, which shows that consumers genuinely connect with the styling of these designs," says David Pearson. "The collection has its own recognisable identity and immediate shelf presence."
"Pat’s models remain our top sellers, which shows that consumers genuinely connect with the styling of these designs," says David Pearson. "The collection has its own recognisable identity and immediate shelf presence."
Designed around performance and lifestyle
Developed in close collaboration with Pat Cummins and the Carrera design team in Padua, the collection reflects different aspects of the athlete's lifestyle, from sport to everyday wear.
The C-SPORT models highlight the performance side of the range, while styles such as THE GRAND PRIX 2, VICTORY C 03/S and CARRERA 303/S offer more lifestyle-oriented interpretations.
"We don't try to force performance and lifestyle into a single design language," Pearson explains. "Instead, both worlds are allowed to coexist naturally within the collection."
The result is a range that combines technical innovation, personal input from Cummins and Carrera's unmistakable design DNA.
Looking ahead
What began as a brand endorsement has evolved into a genuine collaboration, with Pat Cummins playing an increasingly active role in shaping the collections. From signature details to exclusive engravings, every element is designed to make the eyewear feel personal and authentic.
“Put together, we wanted someone putting these frames on to feel like they'd made a conscious, considered choice – that quiet confidence and precision under pressure that defines how Pat plays the game, rather than a loud logo statement.”
A partnership built for the future
Developing each collection takes more than a year, reflecting a long-term approach rather than a one-off collaboration. As the latest range launches, Carrera and Pat Cummins are already exploring future directions, building on the success of previous collections and the strong response from consumers.
“We run it as a continuous relationship rather than a one-off project.”
