37 articles
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A SOLE MADE FROM RECYCLED BENJIE SHOES
Published : 03/10/2025 | Categories : BetterAfter more than a year and a half's work, we are pleased to announce the launch of our first model equipped with a sole made from old, recycled Benjie shoes. It's a minor achievement, given the scale of today's climate change challenge, but it's a major step forward in terms of recycling, and fundamental to our understanding of the issues involved.
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DONATED OR RECYCLED, ALL BENJIE HAVE A SECOND LIFE.
Published : 11/16/2022 | Categories : BetterHow can we increase the life span of our shoes? We have a two-drawer solution: the first social, the second environmental. The pairs that are in good condition are given to the Vestiaire Social of the CSP / Caritas in Geneva. Those that are too damaged are used to make new Benjie! soles
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OUR STATE OF PLAY ON THE ORIGIN AND PRODUCTION OF BENJIE
Published : 06/23/2022 | Categories : BetterFor the purposes of B-Corp certification, we undertook a long journey into the heart of the traceability of our shoes. That's one of the many good things about this certification: it pushes us to dig deep and get to the bottom of things...
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A PAIR OF BENJIE COSTS AN AVERAGE OF 100.- AND YET IT IS NOT EXPENSIVE...
Published : 06/22/2022 | Categories : BetterA pair from fast fashion costs about 70% less than a pair of Benjie. A pair from a sports equipment manufacturer costs 50% to 30% less than a pair from Benjie.
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What explains these differences? Is it worth investing in a good shoe for children? We give you some ideas to think about and understand here. -
Can leather be compatible with a responsible approach?
Published : 06/01/2022 | Categories : BetterIt's a question that concerns a lot of eco-responsible brands today: can a leather shoe be compatible with an ethical approach? We thought it was important to take the time to explain in all transparency why we believe that our leather is the most suitable material to make a quality and responsible children's shoe.
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THE SWISS RECYCLED FLAG: TREAT YOURSELF TO A UNIQUE WORK
Published : 05/10/2022 | Categories : AdventureMAY 2022 For the crowdfunding, Christian who creates and designs Benjie shoes and who is passionate about art, let his creativity go to create a unique object around Switzerland and our recycling project. The Swiss Recycled Flag was born. This signed, numbered and limited to 10 copies is a unique original creation. Specially imagined and created around the crowdfunding project, the federal cross is made of powder from our crushed shoes. This superb object is available in 2 sizes, Small [...]
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WE ARE B-CORP CERTIFIED!
Published : 03/28/2022 | Categories : BetterOn March 7, 2022, Benjie became one of the first brands in the world specializing in children's shoes to be B Corp certified! We join the 4500 companies that are certified on the planet and the 63 in Switzerland!
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No black friday but a BACK friday!
Published : 11/22/2021 | Categories : AdventureNOVEMBER 2021 At Benjie, no Black Friday, but BACK FRIDAY! During this week of unbridled promotions, we prefer to push our permanent action of collecting used shoes for charity. Take an active part in our BACK FRIDAY by bringing us back this week a maximum of old shoes: Benjie brand or others, children or adults, we take everything! (please tie them together if possible). Every year more than 20 million pairs of shoes end up in the garbage in Switzerland... The reasons: [...]
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Benjie in the TTC show on RTS1
Published : 09/29/2021 | Categories : AdventureSEPTEMBER 2021 The cameras of RTS1's TTC program followed us to our factories north of Porto. We can discover behind the scenes the manufacturing of a pair of Benjie. We understand the vitality of this economic sector which employs 1500 companies within a 50km radius. We can also measure the importance of quality, traceability, worker protection and innovation in this country. We remain speechless when we discover the difference in cost between a shoe produced in China and one produced [...]
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We have decided to start the B-CORP certification process!
Published : 07/19/2021 | Categories : BetterWe decided to apply to a social and environmental certification: B-Corp. Our idea is to structure our processes and to understand where we need to progress when it comes to our commitments. We also want to help our customers to better understand what is going on, because today everyone describes themselves as ethical... At the time of writing, our application is being reviewed and we will have a return within 5 to 7 months. The result is uncertain but the 4 months we spent preparing our [...]
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Producing in Portugal: why does it change (almost) everything?
Published : 06/01/2021 | Categories : BetterThe shoe industry is opaque and this has consequences on the workers. The large number of subcontractors and the geographical distribution of world production, concentrated in countries where control is not always easy, explains this state of affairs. We have chosen to produce in Portugal since the beginning of the brand (10 years) and for 7 years in the same factory! This changes a lot of things objectively, but is it perfect? Is "made in Europe" infallible? Here is our current knowledge [...]
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BENJIE'S STORE IS 100% POWERED BY GREEN ENERGY
Published : 04/15/2021 | Categories : AdventureAPRIL 2021 It's finally done! The Benjie store will now consume the Vitale Vert energy 100% from SIG: 100% renewable and 100% local. The price is almost similar: just 200 francs more according to our calculations. We were already consuming very little in our small 30m2 space. So how did not we change before? We wonder.... Until we honestly admit that we often continue to believe that these "micro" gestures are useless and that others will do them for us. Well... for electricity, this [...]
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FOYER-HANDICAP: BENJIE'S PRINTER!
Published : 03/31/2021 | Categories : AdventureMARCH 2021 It has been a long time that we wanted to work with the Foyer-Handicap Foundation... Well, it's now done! They now take care of our printing work for the Geneva store and for the website (posters, shipping materials...). We used to print in Germany or Italy on large online platforms to save money. We do not regret our choice: quality is top (their slogan is not usurped), we support another Geneva-based company, there is little transport, and... above all... we feel like we [...]
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Recycled cotton for our children's shoes, the real good idea.
Published : 03/25/2021 | Categories : BetterWe were not very familiar with cotton. It's a material that we very rarely find on our models. We mainly use it on our summer ranges, as outer lining for shoes and slippers.
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Here we share our research and the reasons that led us to choose recycled cotton. -
CHARITY SALE
Published : 01/26/2021 | Categories : AdventureFEBRUARY 2021 In spite of the closing of our store, we thought about how to create an impulse of solidarity as we realize that some people are more in need than us during this period... We imagined an operation during the last 2 weeks of sales: for 2 pairs of Benjie bought, we offer a pair to a child in need at the Social Cloakroom of Caritas Geneva and the Protestant Social Center. This is a circuit that seems to benefit everyone: a child will wear good shoes, our customers benefit [...]
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KOWEIT CITY: FIRST BENJIE STORE OUTSIDE SWITZERLAND!
Published : 11/20/2020 | Categories : AdventureNOVEMBER 2020 Very sensitive to the quality and the design of our shoes, the customers of the golf course have been loyal to the brand for years. Kuwait, with its particular interest in new trends, is undoubtedly the most influential Gulf country in terms of fashion. It is therefore with great pride that we can now represent Switzerland, on our humble scale, in this part of the world! With the opening of this store, a new stage is on!
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CRAWLING, BABIES
Published : 03/26/2020 | Categories : AdviceBetween 7 and 14 months.
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Before the first steps, babies need a shoe or a flexible slipper aiming to protect the feet. Babies muscles are growing so that they will soon be walking. -
First steps
Published : 03/25/2020 | Categories : AdviceBetween 12 and approx. 18 months
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When he starts to walk, the young kid needs a soft shoe to gain more equilibrium. He also need a little support on the heel for more comfort. -
TODDLERS
Published : 03/24/2020 | Categories : AdviceBetween 2 and 4 years old
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That's it, he walks! However, he is still a young child with the foot in full formation. He is now wearing a real little shoe. Priority to comfort. -
KIDS
Published : 03/23/2020 | Categories : AdviceBetween 4 and 8 years old approximately
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The child has grown well. In this phase, the priority of children and parents is autonomy. Practical, easy, fast: essential ingredients to grow well. -
Junior
Published : 03/22/2020 | Categories : AdviceBetween 9 and 14 years old
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Style is now the first concern of the child. Kids this age are inspired by adults or other friends. But the foot is still that of a child, it should not be forgotten. -
MEASURING SIZES
Published : 03/21/2020 | Categories : AdviceWe shoe you how to check your shoe size. Very useful also if you wonder if it's time to buy new shoes !
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BENJIE CARE
Published : 03/20/2020 | Categories : AdviceEven though kids'feet are growing it is important to groom /take good care of their shoes. Flexibility, style and waterproof properties are the main reasons why !
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AESCHBACH STORES WELCOMES BENJIE SHOP IN SHOPS
Published : 06/05/2019 | Categories : AdventureJUNE 2019 Aesbach's brand means for all Swiss citizens quality and choice when byuing shoes. This Shoe Retailer is a century old Swiss company who has believed in Benjie since the beginning and has now strenghtened their commitment through a stronger partnership. Welcoming 3 Benjie shops in shops in Geneva, Chavannes and Lausanne store proves their stronger belief in our brand. We share with you how the deal has been closed behind the scene ! See EPISOD 1: we get the appointment See [...]
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Limited edition Benjie x L'asticot
Published : 04/04/2019 | Categories : AdventureApril 2019
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A project that we kept heartwarmed in our minds for a while: create a special collection together with another Swiss brand sharing the same entrepreneurial and ethical values than ours.
It is now done with the limited edition Benjie x l'Asticot. -
BENJIE TO SELL IN THE GERMAN-SPEAKING PART OF SWITZERLAND
Published : 03/21/2019 | Categories : AdventureMarch 2019
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We got there ! Language is not a barrier for Benjie !
We are honoured to have been entrusted as a brand by Walder, shoe retailing company specializing in kids shoes in the other part of Switzerland.
You can now find Benjie shoes in Bale, Zürich, Lucerne or Wintertur ! -
BENJIE LAUNCHES TUTORIALS
Published : 10/11/2018 | Categories : AdventureOctober 2018Our day-to-day job is to give parents advice on finding the right shoes for their children. How to share advice with those who cannot get them in our Geneva store ? By providing tutorials !4 main items among the most frequently asked questions: SEE measure the size of the child's footSEE when & how to start putting shoes to a childSEE child's first shoes SEE how to choose a good shoe
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3 CHILD DESIGNERS CREATE THEIR OWN BENJIE SHOE !
Published : 09/21/2018 | Categories : AdventureSeptember 2018
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Further to the Crowdfunding, Elias, Alexia and Ludivine won the prize enabling them to create their own Benjie shoe.
After several months working on the design and finalization of the prototypes, the 3 young designers received their Benjie diploma !
Final shoes have been launched on the market in June 2020. -
BENJIE GETS 60'000 CHF TO START SELF-PRODUCING
Published : 06/23/2018 | Categories : AdventureJune 2018 A small young brand in a huge shoe market… is like a David versus Goliath battle ! In order to grow with serenity we needed to produce ourselves a part of our models. Without specific means, it was impossible to buy the machines. We decided to launch a crowdfunding which helped us get 60'000 CHF in one month ! See the video of the project
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THE QOQA COMMUNITY CREATES A BENJIE
Published : 04/08/2017 | Categories : AdventureApril 2017
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For a long time we had the wish to collaborate with our cool Qoqa friends.
In 2017 we did it and offered to the Qoqa's community to create their own Benjie Shoe.
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BENJIE TO LAUNCH THE
Published : 06/09/2016 | Categories : AdventureJune 2016In order to celebrate the International Environment Day on June 22, Benjie decided to become a collect point for the recycling of old shoes.This idea arose from a simple fact: rather than accumulating old shoes at home or throwing them away why not offer them a second life after recycling.In order to extend their life cycle, shoes are being reshaped and sold on the second-hand market with benefits being given to charity organizations in Switzerland.A social and environmental a [...]
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BENJIE BY VICTORIA FOR CANSEARCH
Published : 04/09/2016 | Categories : AdventureApril 2016 The Cansearch Association has been founded and led by Professor Ansari, who is head of children's cancers department in HUG hospital in Geneva.Benjie launched the operation "let's give a kick to children's cancer" and could raise more than 15'000 CHF for the association. The concept: give the opportunity to a young girl followed by Professor Ansari to customize a Benjie sneaker which would then be produced in limited edition and sold through Benjie's retailing network. See the [...]
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BENJIE TO OPEN ITS FIRST SHOP IN GENEVA
Published : 05/16/2015 | Categories : AdventureMay 2015 Since the creation of the brand our main objective was to open our first own store. All of us have been fully involved, inclufing Benjamin & Jérémie. With this store opening we are in direct contact with our customers and we can learn a lot from kids & parents' feedback in order to create shoes really corresponding to their needs.How to get to the store
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BENJIE TO WIN GENILEM'S COACHING
Published : 09/16/2014 | Categories : AdventureSeptember 2014
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After several months of project preparation the Benjie team faces the Genilem Jury and gets selected !
Happy Few ! Only 10 projects are chosen each year by Genilem out of 200 applicants.
We received our diplomas from Mr Armand Lombard and Mrs Aline Yazgi. -
JULIEN KERVIO JOINS THE BENJIE ADVENTURE
Published : 06/16/2014 | Categories : AdventureJune 2014 Julien who is also a father of 2 kids, Maya and Mael, joins the adventure !He has known Christian for a few years with another job and he finds out about Benjie as their travel together on a business trip.This is a coincidence with Julien's family history as his great grand-father (center of the picture) owned a shoe-repair shop in the 19th century in Verrières-le-Buisson, 20km South of Paris.
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FIRST MODELS, FIRST SALES
Published : 11/25/2013 | Categories : Adventure2012-2013 Thanks to his extensive night & w-end working hours Christian manages to launch his first shoe prototypes and to make the first soles from his molds.He gets precious advice from Dr Marino Delmi, Orthopedic Surgeon in Geneva. Christian sells his fist shoes to Aeschbach in Geneva who finds interest in this crazy project. This famous shoe retail-chain still sells Benjie shoes today. A temporary Benjie Pop-up store is launched downtown Geneva.
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CHRISTIAN LAUNCHES BENJIE OF SWITZERLAND
Published : 12/31/2011 | Categories : AdventureMarch 2011
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Christian Bagnoud, brand-new dad, cannot find nice shoes for his kids combining confort, style, quality and ethical manufacturing.
He has been a shoe passionate since he was a teenage and he decided to create Benjie of Switzerland in Crans-Montana where he was born, parallel to his job.
He names his brand after the names of his 2 sons, Benjamin and Jérémie