Born on April 1967 in Puerto Rico, Edmundo Castillo started having a fascination with shoes at a very early age. During his teenage years, Castillo began to actively pursue a career in design and entered the Altos de Chavon School of Design in the Dominican Republic.

One year later, Castillo moved to New York City and started working in established shoe stores where shoes became a passion. Shortly thereafter, he began his formal training in shoemaking working with Donna Karan on her footwear collection for men and women. After eight years at Donna Karan, Castillo joined Polo Ralph Lauren as Senior Director for one year, and then returned to Donna Karan to design the Donna Karan and DKNY men’s shoes.

In 1999, Castillo took his first steps toward creating his own line of shoes for women. “I realized that I wanted to continue to make beautiful, high-quality shoes that women not only want to wear, but collect,” said Castillo. “The beauty of a shoe is in how it transforms and takes life when it makes contact with the foot and graces it, instead of just covering it. It is like makeup for the feet. I am focusing on creating feminine, sexy shoes that would be made of only the finest materials, and design along classic shapes with a modern edge.”

In June 2001, the Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded Castillo with the Perry Ellis Award for best emerging Accessories Designer.