Twins for Peace

 

With a smart new boutique and the motto “Be Cool, Be Good”, Twins for Peace rides a double fashion trend: offering some of the snazziest sneakers in town and using the proceeds to fund humanitarian projects to benefit children in Africa, Latin America and India.

Founded in 2009 by twins Maxime and Alexandre Mussard, the rave reviews came in fast and furiously and the shoes were snapped up by cutting-edge boutiques in London, New York, Tokyo and Paris. For the first time, the full range of footwear styles for men and women can be found under one roof, in a minimalist storefront tucked among the stylish shops lining rue Vieille du Temple, the chic Marais’ central spine.

Creating an original sneaker is not as easy at it looks, but Twins for Peace has managed to stake out virgin territory, mostly via an irresistible colour palette and materials not usually seen on leisure shoes – silk, velvet, beading. A women’s model, Boubou, made entirely of silk down to its laces, is available in alluring colours like gunmetal and dove grey or brilliant lemon yellow; Lucho comes in contrasting suede and leather and Gacha in velvet.

All the sneakers are handmade in France, except for the beaded Gacha, which is handmade in Cameroon. Collaborations, including one with the New York-based Opening Ceremony, are also available in the boutique. Meant to give both your spirits and your conscience a boost – if these vivacious sneakers don’t put a spring in your step, nothing will.

 

Twins for Peace

81 rue Vieille du Temple, 3rd, (no phone available)

www.twinsforpeace.com

@twinsforpeace

 

Originally published in the June-July 2013 issue of France Today.