Kelly Killoren Bensimon Chats Her Latest American-In-Paris Outerwear Collection

Socialite, model, real estate maven, and former Real Housewives of New York star Kelly Killoren Bensimon certainly has an enviable eye for style, so it's no wonder her own designs have been an instant hit. Now, her fourth outerwear collection for EnVille by Pologeorgis is set to hit the racks, full of timeless classics and pieces that exude casual cool. 

Ahead of her curated shopping experience at Blue & Cream this week, she's giving us the scoop on her American-in-Paris style inspiration for EnVille 4.0. 

What inspired the name EnVille for your line?
It’s said that Enville is Ernest Hemingway's scribbled salutation to his baudy and raucous cohorts. They used Enville, which in French means 'in town,' on the lower left corner of envelopes so that their friends will know that they were in Paris. 

How has your own personal style informed your designs?
How I dress is my kind of narrative. It’s a way for me to tell my story- who I am and what I need in my life to make me feel comfortable and local anywhere. EnVille is an elevated casual line that resonates with a lot of my clients who have a casual lifestyle. During their downtime, they want to still feel and look good.

I’m always grateful that I can connect with my customer and create what they love. They asked for shearling, I made coats that speak to trends, but are still chic and simple.

What's the story behind your fourth EnVille collection?
The spirit behind this collection is reflective of my extensive travels - the places I’ve been, the environments I've explored, the bags I've carried, the colors I love, and the people I’ve come to adore. 

When I was in my twenties, I was an American in Paris, living on Rue Jacob, where Hemingway lived (if only I had been there a few decades before, we would have been neighbors!) just steps from Les Deux Magots. I was obsessed with Repetto ballets flats (I still am), Azzedine Alaia dresses, and big Marmot ski coats. I’ve always loved the juxtaposition of masculine and feminine. 

One aspect that I love about the storyline of the American in Paris is Gertrude Stein’s Lost Generation. I connected with those writers and artists. I celebrated my 21St birthday at Brasserie Lipp - just like Hemingway and Fitzgerald did decades before in A Moveable Feast. 

I connected with these artists, writers, and intellectuals. I was an American in Paris - the only thing that separated me from them was time. This collection is timeless just like the storytelling of their works. Generations from now, these coats will continue to be cherished and worn in new and evocative ways. 

Shop the new collection at NYC's Blue & Cream Madison Avenue this Wednesday from 5-8 pm or online at Pologeorgis.

[Photos courtesy EnVille]