In 1927, in the Catalan town of Banyoles, Luis Castañer and Tomás Serra opened the first workshop of the espadrille brand that today offers its products in more than 50 countries.
Castañer, has becomeone ofthe brands of fashion themost important of all the timesin Spain, and with much reason:
“Castañer took the alpargata from thefield and placed it on the walkways of Paris”
The Origin of Castañer Espadrilles
The first Castañer espadrilles originated in 1776, with the first espadrille maker of the family, Rafael Castañer. With such a long history, you can imagine what the family legacy of this iconic brand has been through.
The first generation to industrialise the process of production with machinery were Luis Castañer and Tomás Serra, his cousin. Tomas, designed the first machines for the workshop, They are the same that are usedtoday!.
The alpargatas from the house have seen many events prosperous and adverse during the course of the years.
Durante la guerra civil española, se nacionalizó el calzado al considerarse un producto de interés militar, y de esta forma se empezaron a enviar soldados al frente en alpargatas.
The first alpargatas from wedge.
It was during the second generation of the brand, with Lorenzo and Isabel Castañer, that the brand took off.
At the end of the 1960s, the couple attendeda fair of fashion in Paris, where they met Yves Saint Laurent. To the surprise of the Castañer, the first order of the recognised brand consistedof some spargatas with wedge.
The commission was somewhat extravagant and not something the workshop was used to.
But even thoughI had nothing to see with the traditional production to which they were accustomed, the opportunity of appearingon the passerelles of Paris, from the hand of Yves Saint Laurent, was of challenge a adventure thatwouldnot could let pass.
Thus wasborn the first alpargata with wedge of the history, although this mightnot have happened, since that Lorenzo Castañer did not know Yves Saint Laurentand from good to first, thought that hisidea was a nonsense. Although by luck for everyone, his relationship did not remain stayed here.
The shops castañer.
After walking the Parisian catwalks, Castañer had made the world fall in love. Artists, actors and models, among many others, began to wear the traditional shoe that they had created with so much attention.
Since then they have seenthe alpargatas Castañer being dressed by actresses of Hollywood like Grace Kelly, Scarlett Johansson and Penélope Cruz, or among artists like the painter Salvador Dalí.
The product rushed through Europe like gunpowder. The first country to show a great interest was Denmark, which seen more than 100. 000 pairs sold in one single year. Followed from Italy, Japan and France. Not counting his homeland, Spain, of course of course.
Aprovechando el impulso, en los 90, Castañer abrió his first store monobrand in Barcelona, seguida de las tiendas en París, Madrid y Tokio. Hoy en día cuentan con cerca de 40 tiendas.
The brand Castañer, has experienced a significant growth in the last years. In 2022, the company increased its sales by 27%, reaching a turnover of 30 million of euros.
This increase has been driven by its diversification of products and expansion international, with presence in key markets in Europe, America and Asia.
The espadrille makers have been able to transmit their love of craftsmanship, beauty and attention to detail to their products and their shops in an undeniably elegant way.
At Optima Retail we know that the store is as important as the product. It must present everything thatthe brand is and give an unforgettable experience to thecustomer.
Con nuestros servicios de mantenimiento integral ayudamos a marcas del mundo retail a hacer de sus tiendas el lugar que sus clientes esperan. Si quieres ahorrar dinero y optimizar tus procesos de mantenimiento, ponte en contacto con nosotros.
