In sneaky fashion

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from the current resurgence of urban athletic style, has there ever been a time when sneakers were as widely celebrated as style statements?

Surprisingly, yes. Thirty-seven years ago, brothers Serge and Yves Bensimon created a symbolic icon of the classic sneaker design that embodies the Parisian love of life. Behind Paris’s gloss, there are the timeless principles on which the place’s reputation for outstanding art, design, and high fashion stand: good taste and comfort. It’s something that the Bensimons understood well, hence the simple, effortless, and natural footwear design they made — “A certain idea of lifestyle where color, elegance, and the job of living are intertwined, always,” Serge states. La Tennis Bensimon, the brand’s most sought-after shoe collection, distills this idea well. Embodying the brand’s target to create “perfect imperfections,” the collection combines comfort and simplicity with luxury and Parisian elegance.

Manila now gets to walk a mile and more in Parisian style with Bensimon finally in the Philippines. Brought in by Terry S.A., a Filipino company renowned for introducing international brands such as Havaianas, David and Goliath, Dupé and Pininho to the local market, Bensimon is set to change the long-prevailing mindset about sneakers as the anti-fashion footwear. “We aim to challenge the perception of Filipinos about sneakers, from a footwear category that is identified with grunge and roughness to one that is sophisticated and stylish,” Bensimon Philippines brand director Ammiel De Leon says.

The laidback and rugged feel of Bensimon sneakers make them the ideal footwear for day-to-day living. Coming in a vast array of colors and styles, these stylish and utilitarian shoes are easy to incorporate into anyone’s personal style. From solid neutrals to more adventurous hues and even bright prints, from slip-on canvas shoes to lace-up tennis sneaks, Bensimon has a style to fit however a wearer feels like dressing up.

Anne Gonzales, president of Terry S.A., says, “We are constantly on the lookout for brands that have a unique point of view, that are optimistic, fun and work well with the Filipino lifestyle. With its solid French heritage, chic and casual ease, along with its expansive product offering, Bensimon fits just right into the portfolio of brands that Terry S.A. is building.”

Ten years ago, the company introduced Havaianas to Filipinos and elevated rubber flip-flops into tropical style essentials, prompting an entire category of casual footwear in the market. Terry S.A. seems set to make a second wave change, this time with Bensimon. With the comfort and style that their sneakers offer, even the most hardcore heels-wearing crowd would be adding a pair or two to their shoe closets.

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Bensimon sneakers are available at Rustan’s (Gateway, Makati, Alabang Town Center), Center of Gravity (Forbes Town, Burgos Circle and Centris Walk), Shoe Salon (Glorietta 3, Power Plant Mall, Robinson’s Ermita, Shangri-La Plaza Mall and TriNoma), and Shoe Thing (Kids styles only: Bonifacio High Street, Eastwood Mall and Greenbelt 5). Prices range from P2,095 to P2,565 for the men’s and women’s lines and P1,295 to P1,795 for the kids’ styles.

Photos by Ed Lorenzo

Modeled by Jessica Pua and Vance Uy

Makeup by Thea Dionisio

Styled by Krizia Go