History of the brand Carrera Y Carrera
A young man named Satorio Esteban Carrera, a fellow countryman of Cervantes and the poet Juan Ruiz, moved to Madrid to open a small jewelry business in the Barrio de las Letras, the quarter of writers and actors. Could he have known that the tiny workshop would eventually become one of the world’s leading companies, a benchmark of Spanish jewelry art?
José Esteban Carrera, son of Satorio, studied goldsmithing in Paris and decided to continue the family tradition by opening a workshop on Madrid’s Rue Santa Isabel. Jose Esteban did not have his own children, so he gave all his strength to his four nephews, initiating them into the secrets of mastery. The brothers José, Satorio, Pedro and Andres, under the guidance of their uncle, created a family style of processing and cutting precious stones, later recognized as revolutionary.
Manuel Carrera knew from the very beginning what he wanted – the international recognition of the brand. In May 1968 he traveled to Paris to present his work at an exhibition organized by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. He could not even imagine that one of his first foreign premieres would coincide with youth unrest in France. The student revolution in Paris and the liberal sentiments it aroused prompted Manuel Carrer to further express himself – not in the squares, but within the framework of the classical jewelry tradition.
The traditions of the Carrera family, their knowledge and experience have been accumulated and passed down over four generations. When the ground for the birth of his own jewelry style was ready, Manuel Carrera and his cousin Juan José founded Carrera y Carrera. Two different and complementary approaches to business have merged. Thus was formed an alliance that was destined to become the only Spanish company with a key position in the international market.
Carrera y Carrera masterpieces have become in demand in the US market, so important to the world of luxury.
Spanish jewelry first appeared at Cellini, New York’s chic Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue, where it is still available to this day. In the early 80s, Carrera y Carrera renewed its image by choosing new sources of inspiration. Of course, the natural world continued to beckon the designers of Carrera y Carrera – a commitment to it allowed the brand to find its own identity and achieve recognition in the global market. The leitmotif of the new period in the life of the brand was exotic fauna – panthers, snakes and elephants.
In the 1980s, Carrera y Carrera presented US President Ronald Reagan with El Rodeo, an allegorical sculpture made of silver and calcite that became an exhibit at the White House Museum. The first Carrera y Carrera boutique opened in Madrid on Serrano Street. More than 25 years have passed since the company settled in this center of luxury, on the territory of the Spanish “golden mile”. Carrera y Carrera’s workshop and offices move to San Agustín de Guadalix.
The monumental modern building meets the needs of an independent and strong brand. The picturesque nature surrounding it will serve as a source of inspiration for the company’s designers more than once. Carrera y Carrera is gaining popularity both in aristocratic circles and among royalty. Her Majesty Queen Sofia, a big fan of the brand, in 1992 becomes the godmother of the masterpiece El Arca del Descubrimiento del Quinto Centenario, created by Manuel Carrera and the company’s jewelers.
Success story in Russia
In the 90s, the company explores new markets. The success story of Carrera y Carrera in Russia dates back to 1994 – the unique and expressive mini-sculptures of Spanish designers are admired by fans of jewelry art. The brand becomes popular in Eastern Europe and in Russia, one of the most important markets.
The company enters the third millennium renewed – with a new corporate identity and an updated concept of retail sales. The creative team of Carrera y Carrera has been supplemented by a stone specialist Miriam de Ungria, who bears the title of Princess of Tarnovo. With her participation, the legendary Jardín de Rosas (“Garden of Roses”) collection is born, including the Lago de Rosas ring, which became a bestseller.
For several years, Evgenia Silva, a Spanish model well known abroad, becomes the face of the brand. Eugenia embodies the ideal of a woman in the style of Carrera y Carrera: luxurious, elegant, passionate, full of individuality.
Alejandra Alonso is the face of the new Carrera y Carrera campaign, taking over from her predecessors, the Spanish supermodels. Her original appearance, full of strength and dignity, was recognized as another symbol of Spain. The inspiration for the 2011 collections was the Prado Museum in Madrid, one of the richest treasures of world culture.
Brand founder Manuel Carrera creates a personal collection within the framework of his own formulated philosophy. The limited edition is inspired by two iconic Carrera y Carrera collections: Edén and Bonadea, which explore the theme of jewelry sculpture to the fullest.