Castañer

The Castañer workshop, which opened in the Catalan town of Bañolas in 1927, industrialised the popular Spanish espadrilla thanks to the ingenuity of its founders Luís Castañer and his cousin Tomás Serra. The last, an engineer, designed the machines that could knit and sew the iconic jute sole, to which the brand owes its unparalleled quality. When the new generation took over the reins of the family business in the 1960s, they were commissioned by Yves Saint Laurent to create the first wedge espadrille in history, transforming the shoe into the modern catwalk style we know and love today. Using the finest quality jute and the same tried and tested techniques, Castañer continues to produce the summer shoe par excellence, flaunting actresses, models and it-girls among its loyal following. More than just a shoe, Castañer is an icon in footwear.