CASTANER

The Castaner company was founded in 1927 by Luis Castaner and his cousin Tomàs Serra, who took over an old espadrille workshop dating back to 1776. The company will experience several periods of crisis. In 1936, it was nationalized with the Spanish Civil War: espadrilles were then a product reserved almost exclusively for soldiers, who wore them to get to the front. Since the appearance in 1950 of vulcanized rubber and the injection production system, the company's sales plummet. It is necessary to wait until 1960 to see the company take off, at a famous Paris trade show. They travel through India and Bangladesh to discover the best quality jute. The processing of 100% natural jute skeins and subsequent dyeing. It is the basis for making the soles of all patterns. The jute weaving machines are the same ones that were invented by the Castaner atelier almost a hundred years ago. They are responsible for a unique and artisanal weaving technique. The sole is worked on a wheel-shaped table that serves as a mold for the jute braid. There is only one machine in the world that sews the jute braid in this way. It was invented and created by Tomas Serra, a mechanic and co-founder of the brand. Today, it is still one of the great treasures of this atelier. The vulcanization process fixes the woven sole and die-cut rubber perfectly and without cracks, through molds exposed to temperatures of 150°. Details that inspire style, simplicity and class. The heel counter is a unique detail on the most iconic models. Made from the highest quality linen and cotton yarns, on antique looms from the 1900s full of history. This folk-origin footwear is a fashion symbol that captivates many star system personalities. Yves Saint Laurent makes an unusual request: espadrilles with heels. This innovation finally allows the espadrille to leave the peasant and everyday world to make a triumphant entry into the world of fashion and luxury shoes. The creation of an espadrille is a story of authenticity, where temporality and craftsmanship are its essence. Today, Castaner is a company that is both solid and ubiquitous in the most exclusive settings, in haute couture and on the streets of capitals around the world.