Rande Gerber - Casaminos, Omega, and Thursday Boots
Casamigos founder Rande Gerber has perpetually had his fingers on the pulse of the latest trends. In 2017, Gerber, with longtime friends George Clooney and Mike Meldman, sold Casamigos Tequila to Diageo for $1 billion (the trio stayed on board and Gerber remains in charge). Made initially for family and friends, Casamigos found immediate success after launching, becoming the fastest growing and most popular tequila in the world.
Perhaps lesser known is that Gerber also has a commanding grasp on design. From tequila bottles to handpicking every last piece of furniture in the Malibu cool Casamigos HQ, there is no limit to his abilities.
Speaking of the office, Gerber was ahead of the curve, years ago creating an office space that was less office and more living room. (People even came in thinking it was a furniture showroom, going straight to the couches.) Outfitted with the usual essentials like desks and chairs, the Casamigos HQ also features cool custom pieces, like a pool table that turns into a conference table – the ultimate workspace vibe.
Over the last few years, Gerber has shown his expertise expands beyond the world of tequila and into the world of fashion.
“I’m always looking for the best,” says Gerber, founder of Casamigos Tequila and Mezcal. “The best slice of pizza, the best t-shirt and, of course, the best tequila. When I can’t find the best, I create it, which is how, after over 700 ‘sample’ bottles, Casamigos was born. And because I’m always creating for myself, I never compromise or settle for anything less than perfect.”
The latest bottle design – Casamigos Mezcal – is a testament to that.
“Simplicity in design is often more difficult than more complicated designs. I always go for understated and let the product speak for itself,” says Gerber. “When I think of mezcal, I think of something rough and smoky with an edge to it. I wanted our bottle to have that feel and the personality of the family that makes it. The end result is a bottle with a unique texture that changes as it gets passed around.”
Made in Oaxaca, Mexico with 100% Espadín Agaves, Casamigos Mezcal (Joven) rests up to 2 months and is balanced and elegant with hints of tamarind and pomegranate aromas that are followed by herbal tones of fresh mint and dried oregano. Delicate notes of smoke and black pepper lead to a long, silky finish.
Casamigos Mezcal inspired a limited-edition watch crafted in partnership with OMEGA. Designed by Gerber, the timepiece features a 45.5 mm case crafted from black ceramic, which is finished in a unique matte texture inspired by the Casamigos Mezcal bottle. On the matte black ceramic dial, the wording is highlighted in the exact shade of teal as the trademarked Casamigos Tequila and Mezcal agave logo: a color also used on the tips of two of the four hands. Retailing at $11,600 with only 80 pieces made, the watch successfully sold out in a matter of days, though Gerber personally has the original prototype and one of the individually numbered, limited watches.
“Design is very personal to me. When I designed the Casamigos Mezcal bottle, the key was to create something unique that I want to have on my bar. We used the same philosophy for our OMEGA collaboration – we worked closely to design something that was true to us and that we want to wear,” says Gerber.
Gerber most recently turned his design focus toward fashion, creating a custom pant with Bleusalt.
“I was jealous that Cindy and Kaia got to design their own, so I asked our friend Lyndie [Bleusalt founder] if I could, and she said of course. I wanted to design a pant that was super comfortable, that I didn’t have to change out of when I left the house,” says Gerber. “The Casa Pant is perfect for both.”
Made from sustainable fabrics, the pants were designed to be more fitted, so they don’t appear like your typical sweatpants, making them work both as loungewear around the house or elevated athleisure for running errands. You can still snag a pair of The Casa Pant on Bleusalt’s website (bleusalt.com) in navy, dark gray or black for $185.
His latest design is with Thursday Boot, creating the definitive motorcycle boot – the Casa Moto. Just like Casamigos Tequila and Mezcal, the Casa Moto boot was a long time in the making, coming to life after over a year and 30 samples.
“When my friends at Thursday Boot asked me to partner with them to design the ultimate boot, I took all my favorite boots and combined those details into the Casa Moto,” says Gerber. “Made with the highest-quality, softest leather to ensure ultimate comfort, but rugged enough on your favorite ride.”
The people agreed. On its launch day, the Casa Moto boot sold out and so did the subsequent restocks.
Gerber’s well-trained eye knows best, and you could say he has the Midas touch when it comes to designing essentially anything.
“I’ve always been interested in all types of design. Whether it’s architecture, furniture, clothing or my Casamigos bottles,” says Gerber. “I guess I’m kind of a design junkie.”