Spanish label Castañer's espadrilles are the stuff of legend in its homeland. Dating back to 1776, the family business began informally with artisan Rafael Castañer creating the sandals by hand – but it was more than 150 years before its first official workshop opened. The 1960s saw its move from functional warm-weather footwear to fashion label, when Yves Saint Laurent enlisted the family to produce the first espadrille wedge, now known as its signature Carina style. Today the house has expanded beyond its origins – creating elegant, colourful shoes for women all over the world – without ever losing its connection to its core style.