On the afternoon of August 22nd, Parisian tennis shoe line Bensimon debuted its Fall/Winter 2009 collection in the U.S., landing at the NYC boutique Tani, where VIP customers were treated to complimentary champagne. The limited-edition collection features 12 unique styles and colors available for the first time in the US.
These simple canvas-and-rubber shoes are de rigueur in Paris (for an idea of how prevalent a footwear option Bensimon shoes are, check out this blog post which details an American girl's experiences in France).
They're a bit of an acquired taste, but once you develop a palate for them, you're hooked — I compare them to vintage wash jeans in that they have a worn-in, lived-in look and feel.
The Bensimon line was launched in the '70s and popularized in the '80s, when Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin began trekking around in these comfy sneakers. Over 30 years later, stars like Liv Tyler and Cameron Diaz favor the brand.
Check out the above image for a peek at some of the colors available. Tres jolie, don't you think?
Bensimon tennis shoes, prices between $55-$88. Available at Tani in NYC (131 W. 72nd Street, between Broadway and Columbus Ave.).
i like them! great colors…