Abarca Shoes focuses on espadrille-based bluchers and sandals with cotton, suede or raffia uppers. Abarca Shoes prides itself on its artisan roots and sustainable production practices. I recently fell in love with the pink suede moccasin from the brand's Summer 2017 collection.
It was Castañer's big birthday the other day - the iconic Spanish espadrille firm is 90 years old. I have professed my love for this brand countless times on this blog. One of the most popular Castañer models these days is the "Carina" espadrille wedge. The brand is currently running a draw - every day until April 16, 2017, you can win a pair of "Carinas" by going to Castañer's FB page or through their website. If you don't win, there is a very attractive version of the "Carina" espadrille currently being sold on FarFetch.
Like spring flowers, new espadrille designs are emerging everywhere in Spain – a beautiful promise of sun and leisure that lie ahead. In our latitudes, we are still a good couple of months away from the warm sun, let alone laid-back hours of leisure, but one look at these ultimate summer shoes puts me in a sunnier mood. The espadrille collections I’m presenting today come from two espadrille specialist brands that we haven’t featured before: the Catalan Toni Pons and the Basque Juncal Aguirre or Calzanor.
What better way to celebrate Spanishoegallery Blog's third birthday than with my new namesake Castañers! The textile collection blew me away when it came out (see post here). That's what I call classic Castañer magic: taking ordinary ingredients and making something extraordinary out of them. My namesake "Ann" espadrille is a prime example: the tender pastels of the fabric seem to have come out of an Impressionist painting. The combination of "apple foam" pink and jade green is simply irresistible.
Espadrille is a great summer favorite. The traditional Spanish rope sole slipper is down to earth informal, pretty, and flattering. Authentic espadrilles can only be found in Spain, where people have spent centuries, literally, sewing them for themselves and their neighbors. Outside Spain, the most basic and affordable Spanish espadrilles are sold by Espadrille Store based in Montreal, Canada. The espadrilles are made in Cervera del Rio Alhama, La Rioja. Local artisans work as a team using traditional craft techniques and equipment.
Have you heard the expression the "Spanish Rose"? It usually refers to a typical Spanish beauty. Of course, typical Spanish beauties only wear Spanish shoes. Whether you are in a relationship, dating, or single, it is a truth universally acknowledged that shoes are the best gift for a woman on Valentine's.
New Year's Eve, or Sylvester Night as many know it in Europe, is tomorrow. On this occasion I wanted to leave all the readers and visitors of the Spanishoegallery Blog with something light, frilly, and fun, like this avarca sandal made by Alpargatitas.
It's not even the middle of August yet, but the Fall-Winter collections are already replacing the summer inventory, which is being sold off at ever increasing discounts. I could not possibly cover all the sales that are going on at the Spanish (and not only Spanish) shoes and accessories brands right now, HOWEVER....I can't resist covering the current summer sale that is happening on the Castañer website. Despite a seemingly limitless number of brands that are following the espadrille trend, the demand for Castañer's high-fashion espadrilles (and for many other Spanish-made espadrilles) is not likely to be affected. Castañer's long-standing association with world-famous fashion houses, its very distinct design philosophy and strong brand identity, its commitment to quality and a correspondingly high price point put it in a league of its own. In short, Castañer espadrilles have long become iconic objects of desire. And currently, this summer collection is being sold off at 30-50% discounts through the Castañer online store, as well as Net-A-Porter.
Spanish woven textiles are known for their soft texture, vibrant color combinations, and durability. They are folksy without being simple and it can really brighten up your life. In southern Spain, where people often keep the doors open during the day, heavy textile curtains serve as breathable privacy screens. The textiles are also traditionally used in shoe making.
I love crochet, in clothes and in shoes. The technique is especially well developed in Spanish-speaking countries. It is both stylish and cool, exercising the artisan’s imagination to the fullest with its endless variety of lacy patterns. Crochet goes really well with an espadrille sole, in both style and function – airy and down-to-earth at the same time. White crochet is is the very essence of summer.
