Over 30 years of dressing the feet of Parisians has taught Bensimon that no single pair of shoes can be perfect. That’s because fashion, especially within the context of the French’s inherent je ne sais quoi, is not anchored on perfection; it’s about dressing for the moment, with ease, style and sophistication.
Bensimon captures this ideal with its concept of being perfectly imperfect. No two pairs are exactly alike, but each one still represents everything about the Parisian aesthetic, the brand’s tradition of quality and attention to craftsmanship. That said, they’ve now taken the idea further by giving Bensimon fans an opportunity to use their favorite pairs into their own canvas.
At the recently held Bensimon DIY event, Filipino sartorialists trooped to Common Thread at the Power Plant Mall to express their creativity and distinct fashion inclinations.
“Bensimon bears its Parisian heritage proudly. But by using traditional art materials—paint, glitters, markers, stamps, bleach, ribbons—Bensimon wants to inject the personality of its wearers as well,” says Ammiel De Leon, Bensimon Philippines’ Brand Director.
A testament to Bensimon’s versatility, a traditional canvas pair gets transformed into a sparkly creation befitting its designer, Tessa Prieto-Valdes. “What actually started out as minimalist and no-frills ended up, of course, totally me,” she enthused. “I put glitter, paint, beads and all the stuff I could use.”
Long-time Bensimon fan, TV personality and travel blogger Patty Laurel, who not only owns several pairs but also considers it a travel staple, created a pair that highlights whimsy and classic style in equal parts. “I just wanted it to be unique but still be wearable for everyday. I used the rubber stamps with stars and placed it all around the white canvas.”
“What I had in mind was to play around with bleach and these were the perfect canvas for it,” model Brent Javier says of custom pair. “I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.”
Putting the spotlight on her impressive artistic sensibilities, MTV VJ Maggie Wilson creates an inspired black and white custom pair. “I started with a white canvas and decided to do little black speckles and then I did a little piping detail,” she describes.
TV host Walter Demesa best proves how spontaneity can become fashion’s ally. “I went in with no technique and I came out with something that can be described as abstract and Jackson Pollock-y.”
Model and TV host Karen Pamintuan creates an understated pair she describes as simple, but playful. “I guess you could say it’s a reflection of my fashion personality. Simple, understated, pretty comfy,” she shares. “And my canvas to begin with was awesome.”
Customization has an enduring appeal that plays on an individual’s instinctive fashionable inclination; and brands like Bensimon continue to prove that function and style do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Through the years, Bensimon has made the elusive Parisian aesthetic accessible by elevating sneakers into the fashionable staple it is today. And as it continues to put the spotlight on its subtle brand of style, expect it to grow a steady local following that—like all wardrobe classics—stand the test of time.