Today Cristina Castañer, one of the heirs of the saga, launches her most personal project, MyBestys, a collection of sustainable and artisan bags, which was born almost by chance. She tells us about it herself.
“It was all casual. In the same block where I live in Barcelona, there is a huge building that was dedicated to the sale of fabrics. A good friend told me: 'Hey, here is a store where they sell fabrics by the kilo, they are closing it and they are wonderful!'
The space was an old mattress fabric factory. And when I entered I was amazed, by the color of the canvases and the quality of the cottons, incredible and unique from the 50s, cottons that are a treasure difficult to find today. And I started buying canvases like a fabric patient. What could I do with all these fabrics? And I thought: I'm going to make bags! And that's how it all started," says the designer.
And he continues: "I kept the product and started looking for artisans to make my bags. As a result of that, I have made a summer and also a winter collection.
Reusing all this that was as if in oblivion, and with which fantastic products are made. I also have some friends here in Barcelona who have a fantastic tapestry genre...", he concludes.
Is it a creative turn?
It's a creative turn and if you allow me, although it sounds pretentious, a committed turn. And that's my focus. To know if I am able to make a small brand that is economically sustainable and environmentally sustainable, because the fashion industry, in which we all participate in some way, reigns a very beastly, very polluting capitalism.
And then there's that throw-in mentality, and having to change clothes constantly, that frantic pace, sales, etc., which all seems very absurd to me. So, from my very modest position, I am faithful to what I think. I don't make sales, I reuse stocks that are there, that no one is going to use anymore, and with that I try to make something that I like and I find it beautiful.
But you are still linked to Castañer espadrilles...
After the pandemic, I did like a break, very short, but I continue with the Castañer company that I share with my brothers. I decided that I wanted to see if I was able to take another path, open another personal path, which is not easy, because I am 61 years old, and at that age starting from scratch, is not easy.
I did not raise it as an economic challenge, but to see if I was able to do something sustainable, with very few resources and make a good business, a more committed and exciting topic for me. Since I know a little about the fashion business, I know it's not a question of putting money on it, because if you do it like that it's a bottomless pit...
You closed the store in Barcelona...
That's it. The first store we opened was the one in Barcelona, which was called Cristina Castañer and has always been a somewhat differentiated space, because apart from selling the family's espadrilles, I sold my accessories. Therefore, it had a very special stamp. The store gave me a lot of work, but it was also very mine. People don't stop telling me what I miss her.
I had there many things from friends with whom I share the same philosophy, small companies that take care of everything a lot. Wonderful hats of Florence and other French... Behind each piece there was someone I loved or that I chose because I liked their quality and creativity, but there were so many suppliers that it was incredible. It was like a little English Court. But the store did not endure the pandemic.
The store in Madrid, on Claudio Coello Street, works very well for us. Apart from the fact that Madrid is now that it comes out... It is a more standard store with Castañer product and is easier to manage. The one in Barcelona was very personal.
Jill Biden's visit was a surprise...
In Madrid, last spring we had a high with the appearance of the first lady of the United States, Jill Biden. It was totally casual. She has always been Castañer's client. I took it out on my personal Instagram a long time ago. When he came to Spain, he asked to visit a Spanish store in the Salamanca neighborhood, and wanted to go to Castañer.
The person who was there in the store didn't know who it was. Suddenly he saw a lady enter who was going with her granddaughters and a few bodyguards. And an American who was inside the store trying on shoes says to him: 'But do you know who just came in?'
Queen Letizia is also a fan of Castañer...
Yes, the queen, the infantas, and before that, Queen Sofia. The infantas Elena and Cristina, Alexia from Greece... We have also been the first, and we have an important tradition of having invented the espadrille with wedge. Now there is a lot of Spanish industry that makes espadrilles with wedges, but we are the originals.
As for the bags, one of the most outstanding and applauded models, and also the influencers highlight it on networks, is the tricolor candy box, how did you come up with the design?
In fashion there are always trends in large, medium and small bags. And the little one was very in vogue. Then on a trip to Japan I saw that there were similar models, with square faces, but it helped me to define what mine would be like.
I had a very similar bag, as well as round with a handle and I was perfecting it. It's a small bag, but very funny, because it fits the basics. It gives a lot of play because you can make it from different materials, it has an external pocket that you can also put something there, without having to open. It's the bag that has my personal stamp.
And where does the name come from?
To my company, I put MyBestys. It is always difficult to give a new name to a new brand. For me, the bag is something very personal for each of us, in it you carry your most intimate things. In English young people say My besty, it's like my best friend, my intimate..., and I thought it would be a good name to define a bag that is like a good friend who accompanies you.
And what models are you immersed in now?
I'm preparing the collection for next winter. This sector is ahead to be able to manufacture.
And let us know a little about what we'll see next winter.
I really like to mix colors and materials, so I'm going to mix some very beautiful wools, even with some accessories that I found in our Castañer factory, and I've kept them all and they are beautiful. I'm going to put some accessories on the bomboneras, so well, I'm still in 'chup chup'.
Can we say that everything is made in Spain?
Of course. Brands made in Spain receive very little help, as the fashion industry is so powerful... Mine is 100% from here. All with people who have a lot of trade. Artisans and craft of baggero. This means that I'm giving work here.
What is sustainability for you?
It's basic for me. I reuse everything, everything. With some small piece that my purser orders. Mine are limited editions. Maybe I have red wool, and if I have meters then I make ten red wool bottles, very manual. The sewing machine, and everything else at hand.
Tell me about the future, because you are already arriving in the United States with some of your creations
I was very lucky that in the first season they bought my bags at the Neiman Marcus stores, what happens is that the United States is a very unfaithful market. But of course, as soon as I started they already put me next to brands like Chanel, and although my product is fantastic, one does not have these prices, nor that luxury nor do I intend it. My market is in Europe, and in Spain, and I sell a lot online.
Bags can be purchased on the website
There are some in Claudio Coello's store, and in some other Castañer store, but they are basically purchased online.
What is your closet like?
My closet is full of good pieces, even some inherited from my mother, which I keep with great care. And sometimes, I also mix it with cheaper pieces. What I like is that what comes in my closet has a minimum of quality. Fast fashion goes against my style, and also lately I try to buy things from here, made in Spain.
Do you also look at your shopping basket like this?
I grew up in Bañolas, in my mother's house there was a vegetable garden, we have always eaten natural things, everything has a different flavor, but you can't always afford this. Most of the time I live in Barcelona and it is not easy to find natural products, not to mention that everything is much more expensive and not everyone can afford it. But I try not to eat junk food.
Where won't we see you, Cristina?
You won't see me in the sales. I think things have their price and you are denigrating them yourself. As a concept, if you have a brand, it doesn't seem reasonable to me.