Viva Castañer

No summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of espadrilles. Much like a basket bag or a stylish pair of sunglasses, they have become a footwear essential for warm-weather dressing that evokes a carefree, coastal spirit. And one brand in particular has become the fashion lover’s go-to for its chic and colorful footwear designs: Castañer. Founded in 1927 by Luis Castañer and his cousin Tomas Serra, the Spanish label underwent a generational shift when Lorenzo Castañer and his wife Isabel took the helm in the mid ’60s. It was a chance meeting in Paris in the ’70s that changed the fate of the family-run business, when Lorenzo and Isabel were approached by none other than Yves Saint Laurent to make a jute-soled wedge for his collection. From that moment on, Castañer was attracting top fashion houses and being worn by some of the world’s most stylish women.

This season, the Spanish label joins forces with another European fashion house, Missoni, to create a footwear collection that pays tribute to the artisanal skill that is at the core of both Missoni and Castañer. This year, Missoni and Castañer celebrated their 65th and 90th birthdays respectively, keeping their passion to innovate alive, without leaving behind their rich legacy and sharing values such as family tradition and authenticity. As part of their 2019 Spring/Summer pre-collection, the Missoni x Castañer line combines an unmistakable style of dressing and living with comfort and versatility. Radiating freshness, balance and elegance, each one of the designs reflects the rule-breaking vision of Missoni’s multicolor aesthetic, reinventing the iconic Castañer espadrilles for yet another season.

Missoni’s colorful mix of geometric prints and unmistakable zigzag patterns bring personality and fun to classic Castañer designs that are both contemporary and timeless. Even better, the models appear in different heel heights and espadrille flats. Just like the rest of the espadrilles in the Castañer catalogue, the designs signed by Angela Missoni are produced in a completely artisanal manner in the company’s workshops, where its espadrilles are decorated by hand with the very same love and affection as they were 90 years ago. A virtuous labor that treats every shoe as a work of art.

And what else can fans of Castañer expect this season? Chief among Castañer’s most recognizable styles, the Carina canvas wedge espadrille has been elevated to new heights with the addition of a platform sole. The perfect solution for someone looking for a higher heel but without sacrificing comfort, the Carina platform wedge can be securely tied round the ankle with colorful laces. What’s more, an embroidered yellow and green pear print injects a distinctly Mediterranean feel into the Carina, instantly evoking summer.