Bensimon, New Era: An Interview with Valentine Lax, the Artistic Director Who Reinvents Timelessness

For the summer 2026 season, Bensimon is making a delicate yet decisive shift: remaining true to its heritage while injecting a confident modernity. Valentine Lax, who took over as artistic director a few months ago, brings a fresh, precise vision rooted in the brand's utilitarian DNA. With vibrant colors, versatile silhouettes, and a subtly androgynous femininity, she redefines a wardrobe designed to transcend generations.

“A more subtle, less straightforward femininity”

Céline : Thank you so much for your time. To begin, could you introduce yourself briefly and share your vision for the Bensimon brand?

Valentine : My name is Valentine, and I've been the artistic director at Bensimon since March. For me, Bensimon is a brand rooted in military surplus, with an authentic and timeless wardrobe. It's also a less literal, less straightforward vision of femininity: something quite androgynous, yet still feminine. Bensimon is a brand that transcends generations—and must continue to do so—by offering a sustainable, simple, and genuine wardrobe.

"Between iconic hues and bold shades, the new balance"

Céline : For this new collection, you have chosen strong colors. Where did you find your inspiration and what do these shades evoke for you?

Valentine : We brought in an external designer to breathe new life into the brand. He proposed a palette with a very bold yellow and a bubblegum pink.

Valentine: The idea was to blend these powerful colors with our timeless shades — khaki, caramel, oat, white. These vibrant colors are in keeping with the Bensimon DNA, known for its bold tones, but always with an intention: never color for color's sake.

"Our favorite piece: a utilitarian, versatile and resolutely modern silhouette"

Céline : And if you had to choose only one piece from this new collection, which would it be?

Valentine : A sleeveless gabardine dress with large pockets. It can be worn as a dress or open, as a vest, over trousers. It's truly my favorite piece: versatile, structured, and true to Bensimon's chic, utilitarian spirit.

By taking a fresh look at Bensimon's history, Valentine manages to combine authenticity and modernity with elegant spontaneity. Her artistic direction breathes new life, color, and meaning into the brand's iconic wardrobe. A collection that is as much about the present as it is about the future—while reminding us that what is truly timeless transcends trends.