PAUL SMITH AND CASTANER COLLABORATE FOR SS21 ON WOMENSWEAR FOOTWEAR CAPSULE

Paul Smith, the iconic British apparel designer, and master footwear atelier Castaner, team up to create a capsule collection of women’s footwear for spring/summer ‘21. 

This pairing brings together two iconic masters in their field, recognised and celebrated for their exceptional work in apparel and footwear respectively. The synergy between the two houses’ love of art and colour as well as their positive spirit made this a natural pairing. Castaner’s 100 year heritage and craftsmanship is evident throughout. The family run business still uses the same hand jute plaiting machine created by co-founder Tomas Serra – a manufacturing process that is unique to the house. 

The very best materials are sourced for each pair; 100% natural jute from India makes the iconic sole and foundation to every shoe. Vulcanised rubber bonds the sole and features their moulded emblem.  Paul Smith, is renowned for a creative spirit which combines tradition and modernity. Celebrating a half century, the label is known for timeless and high-quality clothing and accessories and a playful design aesthetic. 

The collection that emerges combines the spirit of these two houses, the pared back aesthetic of Castaner is re-imagined with the Paul Smith iconic swirl in playful combinations.  The classic Castaner Carina wedge, made of cotton canvas, receives the Paul Smith Swirl treatment where it is digitally printed on the closed toe canvas upper and footbed; or in the sister style Carina where the Swirl can be found in the colours of the jute wedge.

Jean, the flat espadrille sandal comes in two colour ways, a cream or navy blue, both featuring Swirl striped grosgrain ribbon on the toe of this classic Spanish design with a contrasting ribbon woven throughout and tied around the ankle. The upper is cotton canvas with braided hessian fabric on the heel, and the sole features coloured stitching detail throughout. The third style, the Coralia, is the wedge version of Jean, offering the same two colourways; ivory and navy blue. Both are treated with the signature Paul Smith swirl grosgrain on the toe and ankle strap of this classic Spanish design. The upper is cotton canvas, with braided hessian fabric on the heel. The ankle strap ribbons are all finished with a natural leather tab with multi coloured hand stitched details.  A playful trademark is added to the vulcanised rubber sole of every shoe, with an oversized Paul Smith logo in contrasting colour across the pair; Paul on the left and Smith on the right. 

Pauls hand drawn doodles of a sun and a cocktail glass playfully adorn the brightly coloured leather socks of each pair.