Cecilia de Rafael
The Spanish Cecilia de Rafael (CDR) company was created in the 70s as an affordable medium to high quality hosiery brand. It is now a brand known the world over (particularly among those addicted to hosiery) with many of its products still being manufactured in Barcelona. The CDR brand offers quite a number of FleshTone hosiery options – the Miss 20 Seamless, Vidrio 15 and Sevilla 15, are a few great styles to choose from.
Our favourite offering from CDR is the 15 denier ‘Eterno’ hosiery. These micro-silicone coated tights are super sheer with a glass-like smooth finish. They are about a third lycra (so are quite comfortable), even though they look like they are an amazing 100% nylon.
The greatest thing about the Eterno tights is the waistband. CDR uses “laser” cut technology, which it credits for its flat waistband that does not have ANY fold over stitching – it looks like the waist band has been cut off. As this is something dancers will often do to obtain a seamless hip to waist line, it’s great that CDR has done the work for us! The Eterno tights have sheer toes with a cotton gusset. While the ‘cut off’ waist does not tend to fray at all, it may roll (like most hosiery to be honest). Definitely a brand to get amongst if you like your hosiery made ‘on the continent’. Prices for the Eterno tights start at $15USD. FleshTone options include Teka, Te and ‘Chocolat’. Also search for ‘Marroon’ (Spanish for brown).